View Full Version : Horn Relay Burns Out


superjess2
Apr 9th, 08, 06:31 PM
I have a 67 that keeps burning out the horn relay. I opened the relay and found the tiny wire burned at the ground post inside the relay (horn button ground wire). I was able to unwind enough wire to re-solder the wire to the post and the relay tested fine. Using a jumper wire I activated the horn, but only for a moment and then the relay internal wire burned out again. I was able to solder again - same thing happened. It is not burning at the solder joint but the wire itself is burning in two.
The relay appears to be a generic replacement for the 67 Camaro and I am wondering if the relay internal coil wire just isn't sufficient to handle the amp draw through the small coil inside the relay. As I understand, all the relay coil does is magnetically pull the contacts closed to provide 12v to the stinkin horn.

I ask this question because so far I have been lucky enough to resolder the wire. If I start buying relays I won't be able to afford to fix it. Incidentally, I have only one horn, but that should't matter as the electric load for the horn is transferred to the little buss bar on the relay.

Any thoughts on this?