Testing C1 horns and wiring

[Troy P.]

Installed all new wire harnesses and, among other things to troubleshoot, horns don't work.

I'm thinking the first step might be to disconnect the tan wire from the steering column bearing and ground that wire to see if the horns beep. Will that cause them to function if everything but the horn switch is OK? Does the ignition switch need to be on for the horns to work? If they do beep by grounding that wire then I know the switch is the issue.

If they don't beep by grounding the tan wire where should I check next?

The relay is NOS so I suspect it is working ok.

[Troy P.]

Re: Testing C1 horns and wiring

I found test procedures in the 1955 Passenger Car shop manual. It may be the relay after all. So I'm looking for the 54 Passenger Car shop manual to get the specs for setting the air gap and points in the 6V relay, in case they are not the same as the 12V 55 relay. There is a website with lots of old manuals.

[Troy P.]

Re: Testing C1 horns and wiring

Turns out every year before 55 the Chevy manuals have no info on adjusting the horn relay. Just say replace it if it doesn't work right. I'm going to use the specs for the 12V relay and hope it works.

[Troy P.]

Re: Testing C1 horns and wiring

You might be interested to know that the 12V specs for the air gap (0.018) and point gap (0.027)worked fine on the 6V horn relay. So that part of my electrical problems is solved.

[Troy P.]

Re: Testing C1 horns and wiring

I have two complete sets of parts for the steering wheel horn arrangement. I just noticed one of the two clear plastic horn pivots is much thicker than the other. Didn't know they were made in different thicknesses. Learn something new every day.