Horn constantly staying on when key is turned on.

[Gregg Benedict]

On my '58 Imperial, I managed to get 2 of the 3 horns working. However, they were constantly staying on when the key was turned on. I thought it originally was the relay, so I bought a new one. Still constantly on horn. Next I looked at the switch in the steering wheel. I removed it and checked everything... seemed OK. With the switch removed, I turned the key... again, the horn still blared. So, I decided to disconnect the ground wire from the relay and run a separate wire to just the horn ring. This time, everything worked correctly. So, the ground wire in the column is obviously the culprit, as it seems to be shorted out. Does anyone know where this wire is routed through the column, under the dash and through the firewall?

 

[57fury440]

The horn should have power with the key off unless Imperials are different. It does sound like something is up in the column.

 

[Gregg Benedict]

The horn should have power with the key off unless Imperials are different. It does sound like something is up in the column.

As is stated in the 1958 Service Manual: "The horn relay is electrically connected to the ignition switch and does not operate when the switch is in the OFF position". So, the horns in at least Chryslers and Imperials don't work unless the key is turned to "ON". I would venture all late '50s and early '60s Mopars were the same.

 

[57fury440]

I've owned quite a few 57 to 59 Plymouths, and the horns worked without having the key on.

 

[67_300_Convertible]

As is stated in the 1958 Service Manual: "The horn relay is electrically connected to the ignition switch and does not operate when the switch is in the OFF position". So, the horns in at least Chryslers and Imperials don't work unless the key is turned to "ON". I would venture all late '50s and early '60s Mopars were the same.

Not to muddy the water, but the service manual can be wrong. The '67 Chrysler service manual, of which I have an original copy, shows VIN letter K as the special order (TNT) 440, but letter K in reality is the standard 440.

 

[Big_John]

On my '58 Imperial, I managed to get 2 of the 3 horns working. However, they were constantly staying on when the key was turned on. I thought it originally was the relay, so I bought a new one. Still constantly on horn. Next I looked at the switch in the steering wheel. I removed it and checked everything... seemed OK. With the switch removed, I turned the key... again, the horn still blared. So, I decided to disconnect the ground wire from the relay and run a separate wire to just the horn ring. This time, everything worked correctly. So, the ground wire in the column is obviously the culprit, as it seems to be shorted out. Does anyone know where this wire is routed through the column, under the dash and through the firewall?

I remember my Dad's '57 Chrysler had to have the ignition on to use the horn. That's a really old memory though. A quick look at the '58 FSM wiring diagram confirms my memory or does my memory confirm the FSM? LOL.

I can't tell you how the wire to the horn relay is routed though. I'm curious though, so I'm going to look around a bit.

 

[Big_John]

I've owned quite a few 57 to 59 Plymouths, and the horns worked without having the key on.

The Imperial has 3 horns and a relay. I understand that the Plymouths didn't have a relay, so it makes sense that the Imperial, with a more complicated system would need the ignition switch on for power.

 

[Big_John]

From the 1957 "Service Reference Book" #118.

Note "some models" which would be logical that the Imperial got the better system. Also note that with the relay, the ignition has to be switched on.