6 volt horn relay

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Bob Niemiec
356 Fan
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:38 am
Location: TX

6 volt horn relay

#1 Post by Bob Niemiec »

It appears my horn relay isn't working, Power going in but nothing coming out. I see where our vendors sell a 6V horn relay, but it doesn't look like anything that's on my car i,e. the original horn relay. Any idea on how to convert/wire the new relay if your car still has the original like mine?

Thanks,

Bob Niemiec
Registry #6070
'63 Cab

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11621
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

Bob, there are probably several of the original horn relays available from some of our vendors like Klasse 356, The Parts Shop, etc. and in the Samba.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Spencer Harris
356 Fan
Posts: 1149
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:39 pm
Location: San Joaquin Valley, California

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#3 Post by Spencer Harris »

FYI, electrical schematics and circuit descriptions for all models are available to download in the Technical Library.
https://porsche356registry.org/content. ... _id=481598
356 Elec Downloads.JPG
Spencer Harris
San Joaquin Valley, CA.

Bob Niemiec
356 Fan
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:38 am
Location: TX

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#4 Post by Bob Niemiec »

First, thanks to everyone who has replied. I've checked all of the usual sources (Stoddard/ NLA, Pelican, Sierra Madre and others) other than what's on Ebay that look to be very well used, the only new ones available are configured differently than the original. Thanks for the suggestion on 356 Electrics, from there I can probably figure out how to connect the new style relay though it's not immediately clear how to do that.

Bob

Registry #6070
'63 Cab

User avatar
John Brooks
356 Fan
Posts: 2168
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:50 am
Location: Whidbey Island WA.
Contact:

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#5 Post by John Brooks »

I have removed the case and only had to clean the points to restore the function. if it clicks with the horn ring, the coil is working and its just the contacts. If no click the try grounding pin 85 and see if it blows. if so its the ground circuit to the horn ring or button.
They are a pretty simple circuit, hot all the time from Fuse 2 and a ground in the steering wheel, Power 6V to 86 and ground to 85 should activate the coil. 86 is the one with Two red Wires one large from 30 and one small to 86, if that works clean the contacts in the relay. The horns are one of the largest current draws in the car and the contacts get burnt and corroded.

PM me and I can walk you through testing and repair, or I can show you how to replace it with a new style hidden relay leaving the old can in place for looks.

http://www.midwest356.org/Technical/Relays
John Brooks

62 Roadster
66 912
84 Cab
getting pushed around in porsches since 1965

Bob Niemiec
356 Fan
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:38 am
Location: TX

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#6 Post by Bob Niemiec »

John,
Thanks, after I grounded the brown/white wire, (per the trouble shooting procedure in the 356 Electrics) and the horns went off I determined it wasn't the relay. It turned out it was the connection of that wire to the wire in the steering wheel. When I tightened up that connection the horn functioned as it should.

Bob Niemiec
Registry #6070
'63 Cab

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11621
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#7 Post by Mike Wilson »

👍

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Jim Liberty
356 Registry Member
Posts: 4320
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 3:47 pm
Tag: Jim
Location: Orange Co., CA
Contact:

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#8 Post by Jim Liberty »

You got off easy on this one Bob. The Porsche gods are shining on you. ............Jim.
Jim Liberty

Bob Niemiec
356 Fan
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:38 am
Location: TX

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#9 Post by Bob Niemiec »

Jim,

Maybe but it doesn't make up for all the times I have been cursed by those same gods.

Bob Niemiec
Registry #6070
'63 Cab

User avatar
Jim Clement
356 Fan
Posts: 1471
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:46 am
Tag: 1957 356 A Coupe
Location: Calgary Alberta

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#10 Post by Jim Clement »

Mine was in poor shape, I tried to fix it, but as it turned out the windings were also rusted, so I could not get it to work, and ended up getting a newer style, and making doing some jumper wires into it, so tht I did not make any cuts into the wiring harnase.
picture shoes before and after the rust..
still no work..
horn relay 7.PNG
horn relay 3.PNG
 

User avatar
Greg Bryan
356 Fan
Posts: 3696
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:05 pm
Location: San Pedro, CA 90732; Fallen Leaf, CA 96150
Contact:

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#11 Post by Greg Bryan »

Jim - what year car is this relay from?
Greg Bryan

Bob Niemiec
356 Fan
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:38 am
Location: TX

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#12 Post by Bob Niemiec »

Ouch! mine has been pretty much insulated from the elements in the 33 years or so since I've owned and restored it. But I spoke too soon, the brake lights aren't working now. Arrgh!!

Bob

Registry #6070
'63 Cab

User avatar
Greg Bryan
356 Fan
Posts: 3696
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:05 pm
Location: San Pedro, CA 90732; Fallen Leaf, CA 96150
Contact:

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#13 Post by Greg Bryan »

Bob - well, the good news is that there isn't a relay in the brake light circuit.
Greg Bryan

User avatar
Jim Clement
356 Fan
Posts: 1471
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:46 am
Tag: 1957 356 A Coupe
Location: Calgary Alberta

Re: 6 volt horn relay

#14 Post by Jim Clement »

Greg - it is from a 1957 - 356 A Coupe.
early
59021
 

Post Reply