horn relay

[sbmiano]

can a faulty horn relay cause your horns to sound sick or would it be one of the horns.  I had the relay changed out for an original one reconditioned and now my horn sounds like a dying cow lol.  Is the horn relay a thing thta either works or dosent?  My horns worked before with a repo relay

[Mike S]

 If both horns sound bad then I would possibly say yes. The contacts within the relay can get pitted and cause higher than normal resistance. Usually a fine grit emery board will burnish them back into shape.
If the wiring looks solid then I would run a wire from a battery source directly to the horn terminal to see how it sounds. This will bypass the relay circuit. Make sure the ground is good too.

Mike

[Everett#2390]

You may want to wire brush the wire terminals at both the horn relay buss bar and at the battery junction block next to the battery.
Maybe remove the horns and wire brush ground and the horn bracket for less resistance.
Wouldn't hurt to clean battery clamps and posts and engine ground.
Horns could have water inside making them sound like a sick cow also.

[cook_dw]

There is a square head screw that goes into the horn body.  Take it out and spray WD-40 into the hole.  Then reinstall screw.  Use a wire to run from battery positive side and ground the bracket to the negative side.  Horn should sound.  If it sounds normal then reinstall.  Repeat with other horn. Once reinstalled onto car if horns still sound like before you started then its the horn relay not making proper contact.  This worked for me on many of horns that "stopped working" or "sounded like a dying cow".

[sbmiano]

thank you for your help!!

[cook_dw]

Let us know what fixes the problem.!!.

[sbmiano]

well checked the horns by wiring them to the battery and they work fine so I think the 830 relay has an issue.  Going to get it replaced at Bob Harris' and see if it is fine.  Mine being an 04D its the black plastic not clear correct?

[Everett#2390]

I've only seen a black metal cap.
Plastic may be an aftermarket relay - reduce weight, gain MPG - HA!

[KevinW]

he means the black plastic terminal protectors on Factory Delco relays.  69s came with clear or black, which one is correct depends on your build date.

[Everett#2390]

Okay. something new to remember.

[Rich69s]

What's the cut off date for the black or white relay and what one came. First

[sbmiano]

white came first and the cut off is late jan 69 to early feb.

[Rich69s]

Thank You !