1961 C20 Electrical problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gpk1961 · 09-01-2011, 09:43 PM

Good evening all!

Last week I was putting my 61' back in my warehouse and I turned a corner into the parking lot and the horn stuck on. I got her inside and pulled the horn plug to stop it. Looked at the horn button on the wheel - it was clean inside with the plastic intact. I left her in the dark and in the morning she would not start..."as dead as Kelsey's nuts!" ...as they used to say. I jumped her and got her running and plugged the horn in -- still stuck on.

Shut her off and disconnected the battery and heard the click of the horn relay. I replaced the horn relay and - yes - the horn is still stuck on and when the battery is disconnected, it (the horn relay) still clicks. (and would drain the battery again).

No other issues..lights, brake lights and directionals all good...guages work as well. I drove her tonight and all was good. I should mention that prior owner installed an after market directional switch (that works well) and I can see some 'custom' wiring into the fuseblock...

ANyone have this happen? What do I chase down next?

gpk1961

Rob1961 · 09-02-2011, 02:28 AM

gpk1961,

I would look for a grounded wire.

**ChiefRocka** · 09-02-2011, 02:38 AM

Yeap...

Somewhere from the horn button in column down to the relay there is a direct ground ....

Leave the horn unpluged, and trace wires untill the relay 'unclicks'.

I'm guessing a column problem

gpk1961 · 09-03-2011, 10:02 AM

Thanks - that is the plan! A good reason to take the int apart for paint anyway!

gpk1961 · 09-03-2011, 09:56 PM

OK - I found it. I also removed lots of un-needed wires and splice-in's from prior owner. He used some type of CB or two way radio with a power antenna so he left much splicing and extra wires. As mentioned prior owner used an after market directional and at some point looks like he bypassed the horn wire (green) and the wire that lights the gear shift display (grey), These wires had gotten in contact with the under dash and since they had become exposed, were grounding out - leaving the horn rely switch "on" and draining the battery. I got her stuck on a test drive and had to get her towed in :-(

But it looks like I found it. Removing all extra wires and properly joining and sheathing every other wire. Now on to getting ready to paint the interior. Thanks for the help. Attached some before and after pictures from today's work!

09-01-2011, 09:43 PM	#1
gpk1961 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 48	1961 C20 Electrical problem Good evening all! Last week I was putting my 61' back in my warehouse and I turned a corner into the parking lot and the horn stuck on. I got her inside and pulled the horn plug to stop it. Looked at the horn button on the wheel - it was clean inside with the plastic intact. I left her in the dark and in the morning she would not start..."as dead as Kelsey's nuts!" ...as they used to say. I jumped her and got her running and plugged the horn in -- still stuck on. Shut her off and disconnected the battery and heard the click of the horn relay. I replaced the horn relay and - yes - the horn is still stuck on and when the battery is disconnected, it (the horn relay) still clicks. (and would drain the battery again). No other issues..lights, brake lights and directionals all good...guages work as well. I drove her tonight and all was good. I should mention that prior owner installed an after market directional switch (that works well) and I can see some 'custom' wiring into the fuseblock... ANyone have this happen? What do I chase down next? gpk1961 Attached Images

09-02-2011, 02:28 AM	#2
Rob1961 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 10	Re: 1961 C20 Electrical problem gpk1961, I would look for a grounded wire.

09-02-2011, 02:38 AM	#3
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: 1961 C20 Electrical problem Yeap... Somewhere from the horn button in column down to the relay there is a direct ground .... Leave the horn unpluged, and trace wires untill the relay 'unclicks'. I'm guessing a column problem __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"

09-03-2011, 10:02 AM	#4
gpk1961 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 48	Re: 1961 C20 Electrical problem Thanks - that is the plan! A good reason to take the int apart for paint anyway!

09-03-2011, 09:56 PM	#5
gpk1961 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 48	Re: 1961 C20 Electrical problem OK - I found it. I also removed lots of un-needed wires and splice-in's from prior owner. He used some type of CB or two way radio with a power antenna so he left much splicing and extra wires. As mentioned prior owner used an after market directional and at some point looks like he bypassed the horn wire (green) and the wire that lights the gear shift display (grey), These wires had gotten in contact with the under dash and since they had become exposed, were grounding out - leaving the horn rely switch "on" and draining the battery. I got her stuck on a test drive and had to get her towed in :-( But it looks like I found it. Removing all extra wires and properly joining and sheathing every other wire. Now on to getting ready to paint the interior. Thanks for the help. Attached some before and after pictures from today's work! Attached Images



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