[dmaggard]

Just bought a 64 Impala. The horn doesn't work. Got to checking and the wires to the horn had been disconnected. Thought, cool, just plug them in. I did that, still no horn. Traced them down to a horn relay and it was unplugged. Cool, just plug that in. When I did the horn started blowing all the time. Decided I needed a new relay. Ordered it, got it in, put it in. When I plugged in the horn it started grunting like it was working off a dead battery and the relay was clicking and getting hot. That's where I'm at. Thought I might pull the steering wheel and recheck the contacts but I have had it off and everything seemed to be in good working order. Any input would be great. I also have found that the front driving/parking lights aren't working. Has the 1157 bulbls but only the turn signals work. Everything else on the car works as suppose to. Any help here before I start digging would be great.
Dave

[WHIPPININMY68]

I had the same problem with my tempest, i thought it was the horns but it wasnt then i found out it was the relay so i changed that, then it still wasnt working after i changed that so i took apart the buttons and the ground was bad so i wire brushed the area the contact touches then it was fine BUT let me tell you what really helped me and always helps me with any electrical problem is a volt meter. Trust me i got one at kragen for ten bucks and it saved me a lot of hair pullin tryin to figure electricy out.

[Bryan59EC]

The park lamps on that car turn off when the headlights are on.
So you might want to check again with the headlight switch in the park pos.

As for the horn----might look into a bad wire in the column, sounds like it may be lightly grounding somewhere in the column. The new relay may not be properly grounded--or bad.

Just ran into a similar bad part issue with my neighbor's 64 Belvedere, Faulty new voltage regulator had a bad connection inside causing the battery to drain while driving.

(not really an electrical guru---just use some common sense when looking for somethin)

Bryan

[docvette]

Doc here,

Pull the plug off the bottom of the column. Isolate the Horn Button wire (on GM should be the smaller gauge black about 3 in from the edge.)

With a DVOM, Set for OHMS, R X 1, Calibrated for 000, Measure the wire from there to ground. It should be infinite. If it is, Then Push the horn, it should read 000, Do this test while moving the wheel a lot..(you need to grow a third hand for this operation.. ) It should remain in it's prior state Without jumping around..(I.E. 000, or Infinite) If it does not, you have some column harness issues you need to address.

If Good , Inspect the harness where it goes through the firewall, Look for a pinch/Melt point, and If required, remove the tape and inspect..The same applies to the firewall plug..Clean and burnish ALL the pins and the plug carrier / Body, and insure it seats properly..You may find BOTH problems this way.(and both may be the same problem!)

The horn relay is simple, It is just the relay coil internally wired to constant power where the BATT wire goes..The Relay Coil Ground is the horn button. The Normally open (and usually the only other Contact) Is the horn Itself.

To test from the horn FORWARD..just remove the ground from the relay, and ground it..The horn should blow..If so it's fine.l The problem will exist between the relay and the column harness.Troubleshoot and repair as required!

BRyan Is correct about the park lamps,Recheck in "Park" Detent only..you may not have a problem at all..If they won't function, the usual , (after poor Bonding) Is The switch being worn or bad in that position only..

Let us know!

Have a Happy & Safe Labor Day!

Doc

[dmaggard]

Thanks for the help. I'll start running these things down next time I get her in the garage. The front parking lights aren't working at all. Had my fingers crossed when I found out they aren't suppose to work with the headlights on, but no luck. Is there a way to check the relay to see if it is bad? I'll want to send it back if that's the case.
Thanks,
Dave

[helrazr3]

Originally Posted by Bryan59EC

The park lamps on that car turn off when the headlights are on.
So you might want to check again with the headlight switch in the park pos.

Bryan

you've got to be ****ing me!!!!!!!!!!! i have been trying to track down the reason my parking lights go out when i put the headlights on in my 66 impala for god knows how long..... i couldnt find a problem and eventually replaced the headlight switch. boy was i mad when it didnt fix the problem so i guess there is no problem....i will now be able to sleep at night

[66Caprice]

Originally Posted by helrazr3

you've got to be ****ing me!!!!!!!!!!! i have been trying to track down the reason my parking lights go out when i put the headlights on in my 66 impala for god knows how long..... i couldnt find a problem and eventually replaced the headlight switch. boy was i mad when it didnt fix the problem so i guess there is no problem....i will now be able to sleep at night

One of these days I'm going to rewire things or customize the headlight switch so those parking lights stay on when the headlights are on. It ought to just be that way. I already have relays for the headlights and did the Mad Electrical New System mods a while ago, so I know it can handle the extra load.

I've always wondered why they designed it like that, maybe somebody here knows.

[helrazr3]

that is just to funny i really cant believe it after all that head scratching i did.

i really hope i get the car back together this year i really want to drive it next summer.

[Bryan59EC]

I actually used a switch for a 70's model GM in the 59, so my park lamps
stay on with the headlights.

Another way on an older switch may be to splice into the taillights at the switch??

Bryan

[docvette]

Doc here,

66CAPRICE..

There used to exist a law in most states that said: "Park lamps Shall NEVER be illuminated while the vehicle is in motion"

I assume that is why they did that...it has since changed now they want all the light you can provide!

IF you want park lamps lit when the headlights are on, AND they are not single element Park ? turns..then you can simply jump them to the headlight low beam wire at the bucket.they will go out when you switch to highs but you won't be able to see them anyway..

IF they ARE single element Turn / Park..you need to go through the turnsignal switch for isolation OR install a duel element (1157) lamp arrangement for the fronts..the lower filament being the parkers and the higher element being turn signals..

Doc

[66Caprice]

Originally Posted by docvette

Doc here,

66CAPRICE..

There used to exist a law in most states that said: "Park lamps Shall NEVER be illuminated while the vehicle is in motion"

I assume that is why they did that...it has since changed now they want all the light you can provide!

IF you want park lamps lit when the headlights are on, AND they are not single element Park ? turns..then you can simply jump them to the headlight low beam wire at the bucket.they will go out when you switch to highs but you won't be able to see them anyway..

IF they ARE single element Turn / Park..you need to go through the turnsignal switch for isolation OR install a duel element (1157) lamp arrangement for the fronts..the lower filament being the parkers and the higher element being turn signals..

Doc

They are single elements. I have some 56 connects somewhere and will tinker around soon as it cools off here a little more.

[Bryan59EC]

Are you SURE they are single element bulb???
They should be 1157 or 1157a---same as the taillights.
Not too sure how the park and turn can use the same element (I think NOT)

I think my switch is for a 76 era car--these are not too pricey
Get one from a salvage with the connector pretty cheap.
I did this just to meter the positions to see what was on in diff. positions.
Anyway get another connector for the switch.
and wire like so. (see attatchment)

Could be you have a broken wire in your park circuit, if you have no park lamps at all.

[66Caprice]

Originally Posted by Bryan59EC

Are you SURE they are single element bulb???
They should be 1157 or 1157a---same as the taillights.
Not too sure how the park and turn can use the same element (I think NOT)

Whoops! You're right, I looked and they are the dual element bulbs. My mistake for not checking first!

[Bryan59EC]

Oh
The drawing I posted is from a Centech kit---so colors may not match what is in your car.

Dave-----sorry we hijacked this--- ---at least we are still on the park lamps Get your horn working????

Bryan

[docvette]

Doc here,

HEre is your 66 park light diagram...



Duel element...Purple is the parkers..

Doc