54 horn button wont work.

[Guy M.]

photo.jpgIts my understanding that the area behind the steel button should not be painted because that completes the ground. I scraped off all the paint but maybe more is needed aroud the edges. The horns work when the bearing is grounded to the shaft so all that stuff works. The wire in the spring is ok. I put the button in dome side up and then the plastic thing, then the horn ring and the screws and insulators. I push the ring and no horn. I dont believe Im missing any parts. Any ideas? Thanks again.

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 horn button wont work.

there should be no paint on the column bearing - around the edge - remove all that paint
there should be no paint on the middle of the steering wheel
the flat steel and plastic go one way
dont tighten the screws down all the way of the horn will honk forever

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 horn button wont work.

Thanks Chris. There is no paint on the new bearing or any paint in the middle of the wheel. I removed all that. Tried it again today, no go. Verified the horns and they work. Theres only 4 parts, the spring and plastic insulator, the steel dome. the plastic thing, the horn ring itself and the 3 screws and insulators. Im stumped.

[Tim E.]

Re: 54 horn button wont work.

Guy - Here's the diagram in my notes from when I took mine apart. It seems you have all the right parts for the horn assembly.

Two things come to mind that are worth checking:

1. Can you verify that the plunger rides on the contact surface of the upper steering column bearing?

2. Is the wire that is soldered to that contact surface and comes out of the hole in the bottom of the steering column connected to your wiring harness?

Tim

1954CorvetteWheelHornTurnSignalAssy.pdf

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 horn button wont work.

Thanks Tim, great drawing. I have all those parts, the wire in the spring is good. I can tell the plunger is riding on the bearing because when I put the wheel on it pushes the plunger out. The wire is connected, I can jump the bearing to the steering colum and the horns work. The only thing I havnt tried is to try a different plunger. Otherwise im at a loss. Doent make sence. Thanks for the advice.

[Tim E.]

Re: 54 horn button wont work.

Guy - A couple more things to try....

1. With the plunger installed so it is in good contact with the upper bearing, jump between the top of the plunger (the part that touches the Bellville washer (the curved plate)) and the steering wheel shaft. Assuming the steering shaft is properly grounded, the horn should blow. If not, rotate the steering wheel a couple times and try again.

2. Once you're sure the steering shaft has a good ground, set the Bellville washer in place in the steering wheel hub and compressing the plunger. Press down on the center of the Bellville washer so that it clicks and contacts the steering wheel hub. The horn should blow.

These tests will ensure the grounding circuit can be manually completed.

If that works, then the problem could be an issue with the gap between the Bellville washer and the horn ring separated by the clear plastic insulator. The lip around the clear plastic insulator needs to be able to compress the Bellville washer enough for it to click and contact ground.

See if any of these tests help! Tim

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 horn button wont work.

Thanks Tim for the help. I did as you said and with the bellville washer pushed down it workks. It seems that with the assembly in place it just isnt pushing the bellville down quite enough. Is ther something I can put between the platic washer and the ring to help push the washer down further to complete the circuit?

[Eric F.]

Re: 54 horn button wont work.

I remember a time in the past where the same problem was resolved by turning the Belleville washer over; it had more travel distance on one side than the other.