1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

[William B.]

I have narrowed down my no horn problem to if I jumper around the rag joint the horn will work. Also if I jumper the inner steering shaft to the outer jacket it also works? Am I missing a ground somewhere? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

I have narrowed down my no horn problem to if I jumper around the rag joint the horn will work. Also if I jumper the inner steering shaft to the outer jacket it also works? Am I missing a ground somewhere? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I believe there is a copper wire inside the rag joint that connects both halves, thus a ground. Check to see if the wire has come apart or is extremely corroded. This sounds like your problem.

[William B.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

Yes I did look for the copper strap, could not find one and looked on another car I have it had no strap also. If you believe it is inside I will pull it off and check? Thank you

[Harry S.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

I'll post a picture, hang on......................From a non-telescoping car.

There is a wire in there, a bit tough to see.....

[William B.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

Yes, just looked at mine, it is there but may not be making good connection, will pull it off in the morning.
Thanks

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

Did all rag joints have that copper strand ?

I just checked my 66, I assume original, and it does not have it . Nor does there appear to be any remnant of one . It has a Part # stamped into the flange that reads 5686624. I ran a Voltage Meter on it and it reads power from one end to the other .

Jim

[William B.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

Found my copper band, torqued on the bolt holding it and the horn blows, all is good now, thank you.
Checked some other rag joints the band is there also, never noticed it before, will remember now, though

[Harry S.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

Aren't simple fixes great!

[John H.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

Did all rag joints have that copper strand ?

Jim -

Yes, they did. In the early 70's, the flat copper ground strap was replaced by steel mesh (like window screening) that was part of one of the plies in the flexible "rag" element which provided the ground continuity through the joint.

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 horn dead, any suggestion?

Jim -

Yes, they did. In the early 70's, the flat copper ground strap was replaced by steel mesh (like window screening) that was part of one of the plies in the flexible "rag" element which provided the ground continuity through the joint.

Well that explains mine then . I could not find a hint of a strap , but had to be careful not to slice my fingers while examining it . That wire mesh is sharp !

I guess it isn't original to the car , but at least I don't have to worry about not having a ground strap , and therefore not having a decent connection.

Thanks John,

Jim