73 Alarm Horn Rebuild or Replace

[Jimmy P.]

I'm in the process of trying to get the alarm system working on my 73. I removed my alarm horn to test. It did nothing when I connected it to a battery to check. I took it apart to clean. I removed all rust and cleaned the contact with sand paper. The gasket was shot. I checked for continuity in the coil and there is continuity.I put it back together and tried it again with a battery, it just vibrated but no horn sound. I tried using the adjusting screw in an out but still no horn sound. I purchased the horn rebuild kit from zip, but not sure I want to open it. It was 50.00. If it won't make a difference? There is one in working condition on ebay for 40.00 plus shipping? Any suggestions?

[Edward J.]

Re: 73 Alarm Horn Rebuild or Replace

Jim, I believe there really is art to rebuilding the horn(s). there are few people in driveline that do this. I used Gary from the Horn works to do my 72 and 63. he also did my alarm horn on my 72. and was more than reasonable. And found a couple of 63 horn cores which are tough to find and rebuilt them for about 1/2 the price of some non working ones on Ebay.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Alarm Horn Rebuild or Replace

Thanks Ed,
It just seems so simple once you open one up. After cleaning away the rust and cleaning the contact point you would think that would be all it takes to get it to work.

[Edward J.]

Re: 73 Alarm Horn Rebuild or Replace

Jim, I tried the kits once and had no luck. there must be a trade secret. and try to get the tone correct once you turn the adjustment might be tough. Gary fixed my trail and error.

[Phil D.]

Re: 73 Alarm Horn Rebuild or Replace

I just rebuilt a 72 alarm horn after watching a couple of "how to" videos about GM horn repair on Youtube. What happens is if a horn is ever stuck on or in the case of an alarm horn sounds for hours on end, the plastic around the magnet "coil" overheats and melts, preventing the center of the diaphragm from moving like it should. The fix is incredibly simple. This video shows how on a different style of horn, but the basics are the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1kMJIKSEQc

I didn't buy any sort of kit. The gasket is easy to make and some allen head socket screws filled with putty simulate pretty darned convincing rivets.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Alarm Horn Rebuild or Replace

I just rebuilt a 72 alarm horn after watching a couple of "how to" videos about GM horn repair on Youtube. What happens is if a horn is ever stuck on or in the case of an alarm horn sounds for hours on end, the plastic around the magnet "coil" overheats and melts, preventing the center of the diaphragm from moving like it should. The fix is incredibly simple. This video shows how on a different style of horn, but the basics are the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1kMJIKSEQc

I didn't buy any sort of kit. The gasket is easy to make and some allen head socket screws filled with putty simulate pretty darned convincing rivets.

Thanks Phil,
i did just watch the video. I'm going to give it a try as a last resort, to see if I can get it working. I'll let you know if I have any success.