Horn Button Function - 1963

[Gerald C.]

I have removed the steering wheel housing to re-align the marks on the housing and the steering shaft so that my directions will cancel when the wheel gets straight. When I re-assembled the housing to the steering column, I now have "dead spots" on the brass contact ring in the steering column where the horn won't work. This is something that I don't understand why it's happening. Everything appears in contact and it's clean.

Any thoughts?


Jerry

[Bob R.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

It's been a while since I removed the steering column in my 63 but I believe there is a pin that makes contact with the brass ring. The pin is spring loaded. I would think the spring is bad / getting stuck or the brass ring is damaged.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

I would take the wheel off again and clean the ring and contact. You may also want to check for a circuit through your rag joint because the ground path travels through the joint when bolted together. There can be corrosion where the copper ground connecter is rivited to the metal on the rag joint.

[Randy R.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

I agree with Bob. Check the horn button. If it does not make contact it will not work. I had a similar problem and diagnosed it by running a wire from the horn relay to the horn button and the horn worked.

[Gerald C.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

I aplogize if I didn't make myself clear on what my problem really is. The horn works at various positions when the housing placed on the steering column. I have a "dead spot" from about 12 o'clock to 5 o'clock. The other side of the column works well! The brass collar is new and the brass pin ipring is strong.

Thanks,

Jerry

[Gerald C.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

That's "spring" not "ipring!"

[Mike M.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

remove the steering wheel, use a 3-m scotch guard green pad to scuff the springs contact button and the 360 degrees of the contact that is part and parcel of the upper steering col bearing assembly. then coat both areas with 3-m silicone paste. should work fine. good luck,mike

[Dan H.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

Awhile ago, we had a similar post. My 64 would only 'toot' at various locations but not all. What was happening was the plastic horn button was hitting the steering wheel before the 'ground' ring. I put 3 small lock washers under the horn button 'holder' to space it out a little so it could hit (ground) before the horn button hit. Worked!
Dan

[Joel T.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

Hi;

I replaced basically all of the steering wheel hub components on my 1963 just a while ago.. Strikes me that the actual horn button (inside the hub) is a self adjusting thing, meaning that the button gets pushed into the hub once the horn ring is depressed that first time... thereby adjusting clearance. When I replaced that button it stood fairly tall in the hub only to be pushed down to its ultimate position once I reinstalled the ring. It may be possible that your horn button is too far recessed into the hub... You might try pulling it out and having it readjust once the ring is reinstalled. On the '63, and other C2's for that matter, there is only one point where contact is made.... if the clearance is questionable, you might not get consistent contact...

Just a thought...

Joel

[Timothy B.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

Joel,
The horn button when installed snaps into the contact which is screwed to the hub by three screws with star washers. I don't see where any dimentions change here, the hub is adjustable up-down the column but the break in ground is at the contact ring. When the button is pressed, contact occures just under the horn button in the contact assembly and a ground is completed.

Many times the ground is bad in other places, rag joint etc. or just oxidized connections, it's good to use a ohm meter when trying to trouble shoot these problems.

[Joel T.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

Hi Tim;

I know what you are saying and agree... Below the "contact" plate as you referred to it is what I was calling the "button" that thin spring loaded piece which ultimately completes the horn circuit... When I did my '63 I replaced both those parts... when I installed the "button" it sat high and was more or less adjusted when I reinstalled the contact plate.... That's what I was referring to... thinking if the "button" sat too low you might not get consistent contact...

Sorry for any confusion!

[Jim L.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

Dan,
you have the right answer and if this doesn't work just remove the washer and try something else. i started with one washer at the offending side and added one more to correct the problem. Good answer again Dan
FWIW- Jim

[Wayne D.]

Re: Horn Button Function - 1963

Awhile ago, we had a similar post. My 64 would only 'toot' at various locations but not all. What was happening was the plastic horn button was hitting the steering wheel before the 'ground' ring. I put 3 small lock washers under the horn button 'holder' to space it out a little so it could hit (ground) before the horn button hit. Worked!
Dan

Dan, Thanks for this tip, cured my problem also..