Another horn thread
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Another horn thread
Ran a search. Read several horn threads. None seemed to address this problem. My apologies if I missed one that did.
Reader's Digest version. '89 vert (no airbag). Pressed on horn button to warn a driver. Heard a "snap". Horn stopped working, and this piece of plastic fell from the button:
Removed the horn button and contact plate to investigate. Horn works if I touch the yellow wire to one of the two contacts inside the wheel:
Figured it was a problem with the contact plate, so ordered a new one from Ecklers. Installed new contact plate. Still no horn.
Suggestions?
Reader's Digest version. '89 vert (no airbag). Pressed on horn button to warn a driver. Heard a "snap". Horn stopped working, and this piece of plastic fell from the button:
Removed the horn button and contact plate to investigate. Horn works if I touch the yellow wire to one of the two contacts inside the wheel:
Figured it was a problem with the contact plate, so ordered a new one from Ecklers. Installed new contact plate. Still no horn.
Suggestions?
#5
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
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The horn contact plate has two raised prongs that make contact with the two raised prongs in the steering wheel. If you install the contact plate and the two prongs aren't oriented correctly, the prongs never make contact and the ground circuit is not made so the horn won't work.
With the horn contact plate removed from the leather cover attach the yellow wire to the terminal lug. Snap the contact plate into the steering wheel so the two prongs mate with the two prongs in the steering wheel. Press on the horn contact plate and the horn should work.
Disregard the alligator jumper clips shown in the photo. The red arrows point to the raised prongs.
With the horn contact plate removed from the leather cover attach the yellow wire to the terminal lug. Snap the contact plate into the steering wheel so the two prongs mate with the two prongs in the steering wheel. Press on the horn contact plate and the horn should work.
Disregard the alligator jumper clips shown in the photo. The red arrows point to the raised prongs.
Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; 07-28-2014 at 12:17 PM.
#6
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
With the horn contact plate removed from the leather cover attach the yellow wire to the terminal lug. Snap the contact plate into the steering wheel so the two prongs mate with the two prongs in the steering wheel. Press on the horn contact plate and the horn should work.
#7
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Posts: 2,240
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Put the leather cover back on and it should keep the contact plate in the proper position.
I would have thought your original contact plate would still work. It's just two metal plates
separated by the plastic. Pressing on the leather cover pushes the two plates
together completing the circuit.
I would have thought your original contact plate would still work. It's just two metal plates
separated by the plastic. Pressing on the leather cover pushes the two plates
together completing the circuit.
#8
The horn contact plate has two raised prongs that make contact with the two raised prongs in the steering wheel. If you install the contact plate and the two prongs aren't oriented correctly, the prongs never make contact and the ground circuit is not made so the horn won't work.
With the horn contact plate removed from the leather cover attach the yellow wire to the terminal lug. Snap the contact plate into the steering wheel so the two prongs mate with the two prongs in the steering wheel. Press on the horn contact plate and the horn should work.
Disregard the alligator jumper clips shown in the photo. The red arrows point to the raised prongs.
With the horn contact plate removed from the leather cover attach the yellow wire to the terminal lug. Snap the contact plate into the steering wheel so the two prongs mate with the two prongs in the steering wheel. Press on the horn contact plate and the horn should work.
Disregard the alligator jumper clips shown in the photo. The red arrows point to the raised prongs.
Maybe someone has theirs apart and can snap an image of the lever orientation when locked. The snapshot here just doesn't look correct. What is the "tan" stuff in the vicinity of the lever and locking cam? I don't recall seeing anything except the lever and the cam. Is it just a lube or something?It's been a long while and I believe the last was actually a Cadillac or maybe a C3 which has different horn mechanisms.
Last edited by WVZR-1; 07-28-2014 at 08:09 PM.
#10
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I just noticed something. The two prongs in Hooked on Vettes' steering wheel seem to be more oriented towards the center of the wheel, whereas mine appear to be pushed outward. Wondering if I simply need to pull mine inward to correct the issue.
#11
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
That's what it was. Went home over my lunch break, bent the two prongs inward, and popped the button back on. I have a horn again.
I must have pressed really hard on the button when that driver was coming into my lane.
Thanks for your help, folks.
I must have pressed really hard on the button when that driver was coming into my lane.
Thanks for your help, folks.