horn

Thu Apr 23, 2015 5:11 pm

Hi all, strange one this, my horn works when the car is cold but when the car gets hot it wont,the horns themselves are ok but not at the steering wheel,hope that makes sense, thanks for any info,Ian.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:10 pm

Any life from the horn at all, if you rotate the wheel while pressing the horn?
Two common faults are thick grease on the brass slip ring on the back of the steering wheel hub, and a bad earth of the column itself, as a result of a dirty bottom column bearing.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:26 pm

Hello Brian,thanks for your reply,actually if i do turn the wheel lock to lock it does occasionaly work,so i assume the wheel off and clean the slip ring,is this much of a job? thanks again.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:34 pm

In my experience, the bearing is the most likely suspect, but you can check by pulling out the centre cap of the steering wheel, connecting one end of a piece of wire to a good body earth, such as the earthing terminal on to of the RH suspension turret, then pressing the other end of the wire against the exposed top of the steering shaft, while trying the horn.
If you need to take off the steering wheel, mark the end of the shaft against the steering wheel with a permanent marker, so that you put it back on straight, undo the 22mm nut, but leave it on a few turns, pull the wheel to loosen it on its tapered splines (saves smacking yourself in the face), then undo the nut completely and remove the wheel. Ignition switch has to be on to release the steering wheel from the steering lock.
Spring loaded carbon brush for the horn will be looking straight at you, under the column.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:44 pm

Thanks very much Brian.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:27 pm

There is a tip as in drilling a small hole towards the base of the steering column.

(after removing the lower drivers dash trim) as close to floor and squirting in something like wd40 the working the steering to line the bottom bearing, followed by engine oil.

Or you can squirt up the wd40 style oil up the column from the engine bay. Rids squeaking and stiff steering too.

I had no horn at all, turned out to be fracture to alloy plate than mounts the indicators and wipers switches to and bodged by chemical metal! But the above was listed as a useful addition

Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:44 pm

Cleaning fluid will reach the bearing if squirted in from the engine bay. Let it dry, then follow up with some spray grease.