1963 horn problems

[Jeff C.]

I have 12+volts to the horn connector under the dash but only 5 to 6 volts at the hub bearing. The horn does not work. I checked the horns themselves and and the horn contact on the steering wheel. How do I check to horn relay?
Thanks
Jeff

[Steve G.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

Reduced voltage at the horn button is normal, although I don't know if 5-6 is ok. You are measuring the voltage after it's been through the windings of the electro magnet in the relay, which will drop it's voltage.

Grounding the horn contact completes the circuit through the coil, energizes the magnet and pulls the contact points together.

What I would do first is get a long jumper wire with alligator clips on both ends. Attach one end to a known good ground. If your courtesy lights are working you can use the body of the pillar switch, but any known good ground is fine. Touch the other end to the horn contact wire, wherever you were reading the 5-6 volts. Did the horn honk?

If the horn honks when you did this, the relay, wiring, horns etc are all good. The problem is in the ground strap that crosses the rag joint on the steering shaft.

The fact that you have voltage at the horn contact tells you voltage is getting through the relay, which is half the battle. And the ground strap is not an uncommon failure. If this doesn't solve it, get back to us.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

By memory, the horn relay should have a small wire plug that provides 12 volts (+) and the contacts are pulled together when the horn button completes the ground circuit. This in turn makes the relay and allows high amp 12 volts (large red wires) down to the horns because the amp draw is very high on this horn circuit.

I am not sure you should see any voltage at the under dash horn wire plug, remember this is only a ground circuit that when makes pulls the horn relay coil in. If you ground the small wire from the relay to make the relay, the horns should work, probably need a test light to check it out.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

Jeff, Steve has the right Idea, its a ground problem, and on 63 the bearing is the upper bearing is ground source for the horn, and the rag joint is the starting source to ground the column. What you can do for a temporary repair is to make a short ground wire and run it from the lower coupling bolt to the upper coupling bolt.

[Jeff C.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

Thanks all, it is the rag joint ground or lack of. What does the ground strap look like and how do I repair it or do I replace it?
Thanks again,
Jeff

[Mike M.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

remove the rag joint and you will see a copper "strap" sandwiched between the upper and lower portion of the rag joint. the strap often times breaks and then no continuity and no horn blows. u can fashion a replacement copper strap using thick shim stock. u will need a piece about 4" square to fashion your replacement strap from. good luck, mike

[John H.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

Here's what the rag joint ground strap looks like.


RagJointGroundStrap800.jpgRagJointGroundStrap67800.jpg

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

Do all C2's use that ground strap at the rag joint?

Dom

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

Dom, the C-2 steering column needs a source for grounding ,the coupling is the the ground. not sure just how many years this carried on.

[John H.]

Re: 1963 horn problems

Do all C2's use that ground strap at the rag joint?

Dom

Dom -

Yes, they do.