shavenYak Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Haven't been able to get my horn working properly for a while now, just intermittently. Have traced it (I think) to an earthing problem in the steering column. The horn button is supposed to close and earth the horn, which gets a constant 12v. Problem is, the steering column doesn't seen to be earthed. The exterior of the column is earthed just fine, but the actual rod inside that the steering wheel attaches to isn't. How is this normally done in an 80s Japanese car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 They usually have some spring steel thing that pushes on the inner column to connect circuit/ground etc. This could be missing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mof Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Or worn to a nub P.s I read your title as worn hoes lol 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 Hmm can't see anything obvious in there.. Any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 Actually.. I have a spare steering column. I'll try that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kicker Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Is there a contact ring on the back of the steering wheel? This thing down the bottom looks like it might be it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 Is there a contact ring on the back of the steering wheel? This thing down the bottom looks like it might be it Yeah there is but that only connects the horn's earth lead to the horn button. The horn button is supposed to get earthed from the steering wheel when you press it. Only there no earth at the steering column/wheel. Spare column was earthed, but only because the top rubber bush was missing. So don't really want to use that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Fit a button to the dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 but.. but.. that's not half as satisfying as slamming your fist on the wheel when another driver does something dumb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Install button on the palm of your hand with some self tappers and run the wires up your sleeve and then down through the leg of your pants. You can thank me later. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downtrail Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 if you earth that little lever thing does the horn work? There mush be some kind of brush or something simmiler that bonds the shaft to the colum at earth potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 Yeah if I earth the thing it honks. Anyway I came up with a solution. Rangi as, cause that's the only way I know how. Drilled a small hole in the outer column, pushed in a spring from a bic pen, and covered it with electrical tape. Seems to work, we'll see how long it holds up for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kicker Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Nice Give it a test it in the Mt Vic tunnel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyfive Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 How does the steering shaft attach to the next thing? UJ or rag joint? I've seen these with earth wires between the two halves. Might earth out in steering box/rack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 yeah it's UJ. So yeah maybe an earth wire has come off the steering rack. I should take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingbrick Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Did you test the earthing of the shaft with a multimeter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 yeah I did, nothing there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fletch Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 jam a couple of steelo pads down the column so the shaft rubs on them 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingbrick Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 That's actually not a bad idea. Crazy that its isolated though! I imagine if you WANTED that shaft to not be grounded it would be IMPOSSIBLE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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