[G50] Horn Relay Question

[OwnerCS]

Has anyone had to replace a horn relay on their G50?

A few months ago I replaced the original 91 G50 horns (the motorcycle sounding horns) with some high and low note replacement horns that I picked up from my local parts store. Actually the horns are from Wolo Manufacturing in Deer Park (L.I.) NY.

The new horns bolted right up and produced a louder than expected "get out of the way" NYC taxi horn sound. While the sound is slightly louder than later Q45 horns it would be nice to add two additional horns to produce the A-C-D-F four note "I'm entitled to this road" sound produced by a set of Cadillac four note horns. Actually I picked up a set of 94 Q45 horns from a salvage yard, but I think they had been exposes to the elements too long and the sound produced sounded more like a 56 Dodge than anything close to the horn sound produced by the I30 -- which isn't bad BTW. So for the minimal cost and a quick bolt on replacement, I was happy with the results.

After a few months passed, I noticed when I press the horn buttons I hear a click coming from one of the relays under the hood instead of the horns. At first I though something happened to the horn buttons but the relay does make a click noise when I press the buttons. After I pressing the horn buttons a few times, something finally makes contact and the horns work as expected. I don't really use my horn much -- but when I do I usually need to alert another driver to avoid an accident.

Has anyone experienced a failing horn relay?

I vaguely remember a horn relay issue on my 79 280ZX in like 1981. But in those days we had a great downtown Datsun dealer that was quite reasonable on pricing that based his business model on a loyal following of "first name basis" customers that worked in the surrounding office buildings that were within walking distance of the dealership. So if I had a Z car issue in those days it was quickly resolved and even sooner forgotten. Now those days belong way in the past.

Cheers,
Craig

[Lokim]

While not a common problem in any car I've worked on, I have seen several go bad via intermittent failure. I would say go ahead and swap it, since relays are relatively inexpensive.

Another suggestion is get a test light or multimeter and have an assistant press the horn button and see if you're getting voltage (and how much compared to battery voltage) at the horn itself when the relay clicks. Try 15-30 times to catch the intermittent failure. If voltage is low, check ground continuity and resistance, as well as + resistance as well.

[Q451990]

This is the first time I've heard of a horn relay failure. Is it possible that your new horns are pulling more current than the OEM one, and toasted the relay?

If replacing the relay fixes it - it might be worth cutting the old relay open for an autopsy.

Heath

[OwnerCS]

This is the first time I've heard of a horn relay failure. Is it possible that your new horns are pulling more current than the OEM one, and toasted the relay?

If replacing the relay fixes it - it might be worth cutting the old relay open for an autopsy.

Heath

Good point.. I had that in the back of my mind as the new horns are considerably louder so more current yes than the motorcycle horns. The 94 model has horns like the I30 that also look like the new horns. If this becomes a problem I bet I can find some I30 horns at the Pick and Pull. The I30 horn is loud and the tone sounds more like some high end European sedan.

The Q45 horn reminds me of my cousin's new 68 Plymouth Road Runner (Orange) with a 426 Hemi. He kept it for 3 years then traded it in for on a 71 LTD Brougham -- Yawn..

[Q451990]

I'll have to snag one when I go too... I agree that the Q's horn makes people look around for a Mini instead of getting out of the way.

Heath

[OwnerCS]

I picked up a new BWD horn relay at Advance Auto for under $12 and it works fine. I took the old relay apart and could not see any reason for it to malfunction. The points were still clicking however. I think the diode or resistor mush have started to fail.

[Lokim]

Told you so. =D

[Q451990]

I snagged a couple of 1997 I30 horns at the PAP for a whopping $9 yesterday. I just put them on the car, and from the .001 second horn blast (tiny toot) I could use to test them, they sound pretty good! I ohm tested them vs. the OEM ones I removed, and they all check at about 1 ohm within a tenth or so. I'm assuming this is the correct way to check them for resistance.

Appearance wise, the '97 I30 horns look very similar to the '94 Q45 horns that I saw on another car in the yard.

I'll test them more tomorrow when it's not 1:00 in the morning, and I don't have a sleeping wife and 2 year old son on the other side of the garage wall

Heath

[Q451990]

Well... I will say this is a worthy $9 upgrade. The horn seems much louder and more appropriate for the car. I'm comfortable current draw wise - both the 90Q and 97I use a 10A circuit for the horn.

Heath