failure rate of horn relay?

[minimike]

My horn was not working. I dropped the panel under the glove box and with the key on, jiggled the wires on the relay with the horn button pressed. I did get the horn to sound, but when I put the relay panel back, no horn.
Anyone had a similar experience? Do the relays get 'soft' inside and need replacing? Can I open the relay up and resolder anything?
mike

[mdrburchette]

My relays are the 38 year old originals so I don't know of any problems with them. Could you be moving a wire that's broken inside the insulator when you're reinstalling the panel? is this an air horn?

[minimike]

not air horns, but dual electric horns. I'll have another look at the relay and wiring. Maybe I can jump it and see
if it's the relay.

[Lex]

Is your steering wheel turned any? or off center any? I know in my car, with the wheel slightly turned the horn fails to sound sometimes. But then I also know when making hard turns (sometimes parallel parking on a steep hill) my horn will sound without being presses. ---its amazing how useful that feature is sometimes, like when you have to swerve out of an idiot drivers way, or when when your parking to pick someone up.

[minimike]

Lex,
Obviously your horn problem is at the button and wiring in the wheel. Mine is, I believe at the relay or wiring at the relay.
mike

[Lex]

Sorry Mike forgot to add, it only started doing that after I dropped the relay panel under the glove box. I'm sure my problem is systemic to the wiring at the wheel but dropping it 'might' have started that problem.