1968 Key Warning Buzzer

[Kurt B.]

Where is the buzzer located that warns of the ignition key being left in the ignition?
Are replacements available?
Can the existing buzzer be repaired or restored?

Mine works intermittently and is very faint and hard to hear
Thank you
Kurt
#26406

[Pat M.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Kurt, if 68 is the same as 70, the buzzer itself is part of the horn relay, located on the left side of the engine compartment near the fender well. As of a couple of years ago it was still available from GM, although I'm not sure how well it may match a production piece. I'm also not sure if originals can be repaired/rebuilt.

The buzzer switch, again if it's the same as 70, is in the steering column. NOS tilt and non-tilt switches were available from Dr. Rebuild as of a year or so ago.

[Kurt B.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Pat,
Thanks for the info.
As regards the switch, my ignition key switch is mounted on the dash in 68 so would I still have any type of other switch in the steering column as well?
My column is telescoping but not tilting.
Kurt

[Pat M.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Kurt, very good question about the buzzer switch - I forgot that the 68 ignition switch was located on the dash, so I doubt the buzzer switch is located in the steering column. But I'll have to defer to the 68 experts on that one. Good luck.

[James H.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Kirt,
Just replaced mine this spring. Pretty sure I got it from Paragon for like $60.00.. Not as loud as my original and it its located on drivers side fender well behind the voltage regulator. Make sure its the right one when you get it, my 1st relay didn't have enough connections so had to sent it back and wait for them to send me the correct one. Let me know if you need a picture of anything.
Jim

[Peter L.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Kurt - The buzzer is in the horn relay; but it is the key switch that actuates the buzzer so you'll want to do some trouble shooting to determine the source of the problem. Pete

[Kurt B.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Jim,
Would welcome the picture so I know what to look for
Thanks
Kurt

[Kurt B.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Peter,
If it is the horn relay, is that the one located in the large shift console just ahead of the ashtray and to the right of the shifter?
Kurt

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Peter,
If it is the horn relay, is that the one located in the large shift console just ahead of the ashtray and to the right of the shifter?
Kurt

Kurt-----


No, that's the wiper relay. The horn relay is located on the driver side fender well. You will note a fairly large gauge RED wire connecting to it.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Plus, to add on to Joe's advice, the '68 horn relay is a one year only beast (1115862) but it's functionally similar to the '69-70 relay (1115890). An extra lead wire connects to the bottom side of the relay and that's the key minder circuit.

This wire runs through the engine harness to the cockpit via the firewall plug-in and on to the ignition switch. When the key is left in the ignition switch and the door opens, contact closure to ground completes the circuit causing the buzzer inside the horn relay to sound...

[Kurt B.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Thank you one and all.
I will add this to the list of things to try to do this weekend.
I appreciate the input as always,
Kurt

[James H.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Here you go.. mines got some 40yr old dirt and grime around it.

Jim,
Would welcome the picture so I know what to look for
Thanks
Kurt

[Kurt B.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Thank you Jim
A picture is worht a thousand words.
I will look for this thing tomorrow
Kurt

[Jack H.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Here's what the real McCoy Delco 1115862 part looks like. The 'trick' here is the clear translucent plastic insulator that surrounds the bottom terminals and extends across the relay's side bar B+ terminal. Age, temperature, and exposure to UV cause this plastic to discolor (turn brown), become brittle and then to flake apart.

Finding one that doesn't have age/condition issues is the real trick! The same applies to the Delco 1115837 horn relay used in '66-67...

What you can't see from this side view is the '862' emboss on the relay body. This is one of those originality issues savvy judges look for when judging!

[Dan M.]

Re: 1968 Key Warning Buzzer

Here's what the real McCoy Delco 1115862 part looks like. The 'trick' here is the clear translucent plastic insulator that surrounds the bottom terminals and extends across the relay's side bar B+ terminal. Age, temperature, and exposure to UV cause this plastic to discolor (turn brown), become brittle and then to flake apart.

Finding one that doesn't have age/condition issues is the real trick! The same applies to the Delco 1115837 horn relay used in '66-67...

What you can't see from this side view is the '862' emboss on the relay body. This is one of those originality issues savvy judges look for when judging!

I thought the 1115889 relay was for 1968 not the 862 ? Am I confused (again)?