67 horn problem

[Del S.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Jack, you "don't use wiring color codes"? How do you determine which wire is which in a multiwire bundle???? HUMMMM......

Steve and Jack , I must not have the correct relay because there is no H or S embossed, but on the bottom of the relay there are numbers 1 thru 5. The black and green wire would have to plug into 1 or 2 because of the plug fixture.
The reason Im asking is because when I hooked up my battery I blew the fusible link at the starter solenoid , so if I have them switched on this horn relay would that create a short and blow the fusible link ? thanks Del

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67 horn problem

I can't tell you how to hook it up. If I had it in my hand, then I could trace out the poles and their respective use, giving you a connection diagram.

If you are looking for "correctness" then you'll need to find an original replacement. Time to hit the junk yards for the mid sixties models of GM.......

The relay should look like the photos below

[Jack H.]

Re: 67 horn problem

The horn relay is a simple 2-port device, power out to horn and trigger wire to ground via the steering column's horn switch. You don't need color code references because you can physically see which way the wires go (green to front exiting at the power terminals of the horns and black back toward the cockpit)...

[Wayne M.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Steve and Jack , I must not have the correct relay because there is no H or S embossed, but on the bottom of the relay there are numbers 1 thru 5. The black and green wire would have to plug into 1 or 2 because of the plug fixture.
...

Here's a shot of a junkyard (stamped) '837 12V' relay. The H and S are embossed on the top of the cover (upper right and lower right corners, respectively, with Delco Remy reading from left to right). Then, when viewed from the bottom and turned 180 degrees so they are on the left, as in pic, this would put the top terminal as green (to the horns) and the bottom as black (to the horn button, then to ground).

The plug can only go in one way, as the terminals are off-set toward the center of the relay. I have an aftermarket (824) relay [for '65, maybe earlier), and can confirm that there are numerals 1 thru 5 cast into the black plastic bottom.

(To Steven) is that an '824' relay you show in your pic ? Terminals are at 90 degrees to each other.

[Del S.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Here's a shot of a junkyard (stamped) '837 12V' relay. The H and S are embossed on the top of the cover (upper right and lower right corners, respectively, with Delco Remy reading from left to right). Then, when viewed from the bottom and turned 180 degrees so they are on the left, as in pic, this would put the top terminal as green (to the horns) and the bottom as black (to the horn button, then to ground).

The plug can only go in one way, as the terminals are off-set toward the center of the relay. I have an aftermarket (824) relay [for '65, maybe earlier), and can confirm that there are numerals 1 thru 5 cast into the black plastic bottom.

(To Steven) is that an '824' relay you show in your pic ? Terminals are at 90 degrees to each other.

Wayne , I would like to use the aftermarket relay for now just to get my engine running , so would I plug the green wire into # 1 or # 2 ?
thanks Del

[Wayne M.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Wayne , I would like to use the aftermarket relay for now just to get my engine running , so would I plug the green wire into # 1 or # 2 ?
thanks Del

Del -- you must mean "just to get my HORN working". As long as the heavy red wires are connected via those screws on the front of the relay, the engine should run, even if the relay is just supported by the wiring (ie. not yet bolted to the rad support.

All I have is '65's, which uses the '824' relay with the horn plug in the form of a tee. The green wire is the cross-bar of the 'T', and the black is the vertical terminal. On my aftermarket 824, which has the numbers on the bottom (like yours does), the terminal # 1 is the green, and #2 is the black. I have confirmed the green / black configuration with my two cars with original '824's, and another 2 loose '65 engine harnesses I have.

I would assume this numbering convention would apply to an aftermarket "837" relay as well (but I can't guarantee). The green wire is a heavier gauge than the black. Therefore, when relay is bolted to the engine side of the rad support, the green wire would be the one nearest and just to the left of the heavy red wires and the black would be nearest the relay attaching bolt.

Good luck.

[Brad H.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Since were on horns, and my 54 horns are fine with the 8 volt in and regulator adjusted to 8 volt, is that why my horns just doink when I put the 6volt in for judging and dont reajust the reg. to 6 volt? Hmm, Brad. Thanks.

[Del S.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Del -- you must mean "just to get my HORN working". As long as the heavy red wires are connected via those screws on the front of the relay, the engine should run, even if the relay is just supported by the wiring (ie. not yet bolted to the rad support.

All I have is '65's, which uses the '824' relay with the horn plug in the form of a tee. The green wire is the cross-bar of the 'T', and the black is the vertical terminal. On my aftermarket 824, which has the numbers on the bottom (like yours does), the terminal # 1 is the green, and #2 is the black. I have confirmed the green / black configuration with my two cars with original '824's, and another 2 loose '65 engine harnesses I have.

I would assume this numbering convention would apply to an aftermarket "837" relay as well (but I can't guarantee). The green wire is a heavier gauge than the black. Therefore, when relay is bolted to the engine side of the rad support, the green wire would be the one nearest and just to the left of the heavy red wires and the black would be nearest the relay attaching bolt.

Good luck.

Wayne , I sent u a PM . Del

[Del S.]

Re: 67 horn problem

I found my problem with the horn relay that blew a fisible link at the solenoid . The gound wire at the horn relay was not on the attaching screw to the radiator support.

[Brad H.]

Re: 67 horn problem

It is a great feeling finding a cure for something you just can not find the problem to, stick to it and we always get there, sometimes with some friendly help. Brad

[John H.]

Re: 67 horn problem

I found my problem with the horn relay that blew a fisible link at the solenoid . The gound wire at the horn relay was not on the attaching screw to the radiator support.

The '67 wiring diagram has always shown the attachment of that ground wire incorrectly - it shows it on the screw terminal buss, not under the relay-to-support attaching screw. If it's connected to the screw terminal buss as shown in the wiring diagram, you'll get an instant dead short, which blows the fusible link (which is better than frying the harness, which is what happens on any pre-'67 Corvette).

[Del S.]

Re: 67 horn problem

The '67 wiring diagram has always shown the attachment of that ground wire incorrectly - it shows it on the screw terminal buss, not under the relay-to-support attaching screw. If it's connected to the screw terminal buss as shown in the wiring diagram, you'll get an instant dead short, which blows the fusible link (which is better than frying the harness, which is what happens on any pre-'67 Corvette).

If I would of looked at my old wiring harness first before looking at the AIM wiring diagram I would of been able to see the mistake. Digging out the old wiring harness is how I finally solved the problem .

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Del, check out item #5 below in a reply to you on October 16......

Jim, Check your connections at the relay again.
They should be as follows:

1) Black wire (coming from orange wire in harness [fusible link]) should be connected to a tab under a screw on the relay.
2) Red wire should be connected to the same tab under a separate screw.
3) Green wire plugs into relay
4) Black wire from horn button plugs into relay.

5) I believe this might the problem wire: A black wire with a RING connector should be connected to ground using the relay mounting bolt and star washer. This provides a ground to the relay.

[Del S.]

Re: 67 horn problem

Del, check out item #5 below in a reply to you on October 16......

When one takes Dumb Pills its hard to focus on more than one thing at a time ....I was so focused on the green and black wires ....

[Richard S.]

Re: 67 horn problem

John,

Thanks for pointing out the error in the 67 AIM. I'd like to correct my copy. Do you have a picture you could post showing the correction....
Thanks again for your help.

Rick.