Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Does anyone have a procedure for setting up (adjusting)
the horn relay circuitry? Specifically interested in the air gap on the solenoid, and the gap on the contacts. The contact gap is presently about a quarter of an inch, which seems much to large.

Page 25 in the electrical section of 51-4 service manual has specs and info on adjusting air gap for that horn. Expect other year horns are probably the same or at least close. The 55-6 manual has a better photo but less info. I agree the contacts are way too far apart. IIRC, the contacts are closed when horn is off and only move a few thousandths when magnet and diaphragm activated.

Thanks. I checked that out, and it will be helpful if I have a 'horn' problem. The issue right now is the 'horn relay' and I didn't see anything about the 'relay' in either the
51-54, or 55-56 Service Manuals.

Horn relays aren't serviced, in the very rare event of a failure they are replaced. NAPA has them for just a few dollars, NAPA #HR-101 for Packard 12-volt, NAPA HR 100 for Packard 6-volt.

The relay has no spec. It is considered a service item and just replaced if bad. If I had to guess, I'd say the gap should be in the neighborhood of no more than 1/8". The armature needs to be close enough to the coil that it can be attracted when power is applied. It needs to move far enough away from the contact that there is a clean break. If that can't be obtained then I would replace it.