[crzynik]

I tested the horn before and it was very quiet but working before changing the steering wheel. I chose not to undo the battery before replacing my steering wheel (bad choice) and when I was undoing one of the bolts on the old steering wheel my ratchet touched one of the posts and it caused some sparks. I did not think much of it, went and disconnected the battery and then continued disassembly. After putting the new steering wheel on I tried the horn and there is nothing.

My thought was that a fuse probably blew and needed to be replaced, except when I checked the factory fuse box I see the part labeled HORN > but there is no fuse there and it is a different shape which is quite confusing. I know I can take the horn off and attach it to the battery to test it but just wanted to see what y'all thought first.

(also just a note on the picture, after this was taken I replaced the bad and gross looking "radio" fuse

Thanks!

 

[crzynik]

In my 69 the horns run off a circuit breaker in the light switch and they pull 13.9 amps:
View attachment 811582

Interesting, looking at a fuse diagram it looks like it is on the same fuse as what the cigar lighter uses (the cigar lighter works currently)

Would there still be a circuit breaker for the horn somewhere as well?

 

[crzynik]

Doubtful. First I would disconnect the horns and test each with battery power, then find the wire color and start tracing wires and connections with an ohmmeter.

Okay I'll do that. Just curious, is there any chance that the "sparks" I created could have messed with the horn contacts? Just not sure what else could have gone wrong during changing the steering wheel that would cause it not to work after. But maybe it wasn't strong enough to break the fuse and it just broke the horn directly.

 

[crzynik]

There are only two components in the wheel you have to worry about- the horn switch, and the spring loaded contact that rides on the slip ring under the steering wheel. Everything else is wire and connections. It could be any of those.

Right, the steering wheel came with a new button so I'd like to think that should work, it may be horn switch in the column unfortunately but not sure yet.

Anyway, just tested the horn off the car and then tested it with the chassis ground using the battery and it worked in both cases (was actually louder than before when the old steering wheel was on). I cleaned up the ground and the connector, will double check the fuse and then see about the horn switch.

 

[crzynik]

Update: replaced the fuse just to be sure, still not working. Seems it's either the contacts (which are still springy but might have an electrical issue?) or it's the new button.

 

[crzynik]

Just a thought, is the new wheel from the same year? I know on some years the slip ring in the wheel is a different diameter than other years Maybe the spring contacts aren't aligning withe the contacts on the wheel.

I probably should have been more specific. I ordered the Volante steering wheel from CJ Pony Parts: Volante Steering Wheel Kit Sport 14" Leather Wrapped With Black Spokes 1967-1973

It looked like the spring loaded contacts were touching the correct part. Also, I must be honest there were some extra wires / parts that came with the horn button that I dismissed and am now wondering if there is something required that I did not consider before. There were no instructions so it didn't seem clear.

The horn button has two contacts that connect to two red wires that come from the hub. I am unsure if these red wires are both "power" (since the stock steering wheel had one on each side), and if so then I don't know where the ground is supposed to come from.

 

[crzynik]

@Skidoodave @Mach1 Driver Thanks for the help, after taking apart the steering wheel it turns out one of the crimped wires from the hub that attaches to the button was "on" but not actually connected and that caused the issue, so all is good now. One nice part though is that this trouble shooting got me to clean up the chassis ground on the horn and now it seems to be louder than before.

 

[crzynik]

@Skidoodave @Mach1 Driver okay so very odd... I went to use the horn today and it didn't work. Took apart the steering wheel again and the wires are still attached. Tested horn using battery and it worked, I haven't gone driving to test if it's only at certain points in the turning circle that it works but either way, very confused.

 

[crzynik]

Check the dimensions of the wheel's slip rings from the center of the wheel, and then the spring contacts to the center of the column. I'd bet they don't match.

So double checked and they do match up, I discovered that the fuse was actually blown. Only problem is after replacing it and using the horn it was fine but after going for a quick drive around the block it blew again.

 

[crzynik]

I’m starting to think it’s this issue: Getting sparks and a short when turning steering wheel...

The hub doesn’t support the locking steering so it’s shorting to there, maybe I can cover it with electrical tape or something to isolate it