Horn?!

[Guest]

What are some possible causes of my horn not working? I need this to pass inspection, but I have no idea where to start. Any help would be appreciated..

[JohnG]

RE: Horn?!

Aside from the usual causes such as wires in the front end being disconnected or the relay either failing or being unhooked (it is in the engine compartment on the front left), the unique thing about the TBird is the grounding mechanism in the steering column.

The circuit is energized and when you press the horn ring you ground it out, completing it. If you look on the LEFT side of the steering wheel carefully, you should see a small spring (copper colored). This is part of said circuit. If the gap between it and the surface adjacent to it is too great then tipping the horn ring will not complete the circuit. The cause of this is the steering column having slipped down a little over time. It can be repositioned by loosening two phillips head screws under the dash and pulling up on it.

John
58 Hardtop

[tarps3]

RE: Horn?!

try replacing the relay first - that was my problem.
As John said - it is located in the engine compartment on the driver side fender down by the horns.

Casey
60 hardtop

[Alexander]

RE: Horn?!

Another common cause of the horn not working is that the steering column slips down if there was any work done the column or the steering wheel. If the column slips down and forward, the horn button cannot make contact. Under the column are two bolts securing it. Loosen but do not remove the bolts. Then push the column towards the steering wheel. Retighten the bolts.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[BlackBird58]

RE: Horn?!

I adjusted the steering column on my 58 HT and now the horn works consistently when you press the left side of the horn ring, but doesn't work at all from the right side of the ring. Is this normal, or do I need to move the column closer to the steering wheel?

Thanks

[Thunderhans]

RE: Horn?!

My problem was located close to the horns. Both were not good grounded (no contact to the negative pole).
I easily solved it by removing the horn, sanding the mounting surface and re-installing the horns.


Hans
1959 Hardtop
430 ci

[JohnG]

RE: Horn?!

I had that problem too (only works on one side). It was because the steering column was still a little low and the gap beween the copper contact and the horn ring was too big. Play with it a little more and see what happens.

John