Classic/Antique Car Repair/Horn repair...

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/12/2011


Question

1933 Packard horns.
Thanks for helping.  I have a 1933 Packard Standard 8 and the horn does not work properly.  Everything appears to have been restored and it looks wonderful, but very little sound.  I have an excellent mechanic but he is puzzled as well.  Of course 6 volt.  Any help greatly appreciated.  Russ

Answer
Very pretty car! Well, check the voltage at the horn when the horn button is activated.It should be near battery voltage. If the voltage is low it indicates a voltage drop in the system. The most common is the relay. The points in the relay get burned and then act a resistor in the system. If the voltage is near battery, within .5 volts, then the problem is inside the horns themselves.

Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.