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Horn - Something Missing 444-544

posted by  dencat on  Wed Sep 29 04:25 CST 2004
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last visit: Wed Dec 9 17:36 CST 2009
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The horn hasn't worked since I got the PV a little over a year ago, no big deal as I don't use the horn much on any car. I am ready to install a replacement dash so while the dash is off, other little projects have been easier so while I am at it, I have been trying to figure out why the horn doesn't work. I think there is something missing at the steering wheel. With the wheel off and the horn ring still attached I see what looks like three contact points inside the horn ring but nothing for them to come in contact with. There is a button at the top of the steering column.
Does anyone know of a site with a picture of the horn parts so I can see what I am looking for?
DC








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    Horn - Something Missing 444-544

    posted by  dencat on  Wed Sep 29 08:24 CST 2004
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    last visit: Wed Dec 9 17:36 CST 2009
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    I wish I had not posted the original message because I took another look today and have concluded that what is missing is my knowledge of how the horn works.
    The three contacts I mentioned are the little posts that seem to allow the spring to compress and return. Nothing electrical.
    There is a hole in the center of the horn ring or coller that presses into the steering wheel. Is the button that comes out of the steering column suppose to touch metal / ground through this hole when the spring gets depressed to complete the circuit?
    DC







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      Horn - Something Missing 444-544

      uid 4846's pic
      posted by  JohnMc on  Wed Sep 29 09:19 CST 2004
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      last visit: Thu Oct 23 07:42 CST 2014
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      It's been a while since I had mine apart, but I believe that the contacts are inside the horn ring. The contact on a spring that pokes out of the steering column always makes contact with the part of the horn ring it touches, and when the horn ring is tilted it makes momentary contact internally and grounds to the three metal contacts and back into the steering column.

      You could try just shorting from the steel nut holding the steering wheel to that wire - the horns should beep. If they don't, the switch isn't the problem (or at the very least not the only one!). Some cars use a relay - my PV does - but it doesn't look original. Some are wired straight from the horns to that wire. Look at the other side of the steering box from the shaft to see where that wire goes.
      --
      I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.








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        Horn - Something Missing 444-544

        posted by  someone claiming to be Ted on  Sat Oct 2 12:27 CST 2004 [RELATED]

        Any luck fixing your horn? My horn does not work either. The horns themselves look old and crusty. The wiring is all black. The car was converted from 6 volt to 12 volt. The horn and wipers may never had worked after this was done. The owner before me put a '65 544 front end on a '59 445. The car sat for over 14 years before I got my hands on it. I would like to fix my horn and am wondering where to start.
        -Ted
        '59 PV 445
        '74 144GL








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          Horn - Something Missing 444-544

          posted by  Ron Kwas on  Sat Oct 2 13:18 CST 2004
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          last visit: Fri Oct 24 04:03 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          Guys;

          Whether the horns are wired with or without a relay (and both arragements came standard from the factory depending on model and year), the wire coming up through the steering column is grounded to sound the horns.

          In the case of a non-relay setup (like: http://www.intelab.com/swem/544%20Wiring%20Diagram.jpg), one side of the horn elements is connected to (fused)power, and the other is grounded by way of the contact at the steering wheel (which, is really pretty marginal for the currents involed).

          In a relay setup the relay has power, and "picking" it with the contact at the steering wheel sends power to the horn elements, which have the other side grounded.

          ...did you notice the (big) diff?...with a relay, the horns get switched power, without, and they get switched ground.

          http://www.intelab.com/swem/544_6Vwiring.jpg actually shows both possibilities well.

          For the reason above, I recommend upgrading to a relay setup. It gets full votage to the horns ...when you need 'em, you need 'em to work well!...See: http://www.intelab.com/swem/hornupgrade.htm

          ...hope that helps...

          Cheers (and load beeps)







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