1965 BB horn trouble shooting

[Jim B.]

Hello
I am attempting to get my horns to work on my 1965 L78 (someone has been in there before me). Here is what I have done so far:

1. Confirmed the horns themselves actually work by applying +12vdc to the green wire connector at the horn relay
2. Removed the horn relay from the car and applied +12vdc to the "Batt" side of the relay and the negative lead to the relay lug which accepts the black line from the horn button. Relay would "click" on the bench.
3. Confirmed I have continuity across the steering rag joint by using an ohm meter on each side of the joint
4. Confirmed I have +12vdc at the relay when the relay is installed in the car.
5. Confirmed that the horn relay is properly wired per AIM drawings UPC12-A8 and UPC6-B4.

One other observation which does not seem right to me is that there seems to be a continuous ground connection from the black horn button wire at the connector to the horn relay, even when the horn button is not depressed. I would have thought that should be open until the horn button is pressed. I am measuring this at the alternator bracket.

Would some of you C2 wiring gurus walk me through a step by step trouble shooting procedure to help be sort this out?

Thanks in advance

Jim

[Keith B.]

Re: 1965 BB horn trouble shooting

replace the 15 dollar horn contact in the steering column. remove the horn cap and ground out the horn contact ring with a screwdriver against the column.

[Jim B.]

Re: 1965 BB horn trouble shooting

OK I have isolated the issue to an open somewhere between the back ground wire at the turn signal switch harness and the spring loaded plunger in the hub. I verified that the plunger is good but when its inserted in the hub there is no continuity. I think the next step is to remove the hub and look into the turn signal switch assembly. Does that make sense?

When I remove the steering shaft nut and washer will the hub just pull off by hand or will I need to use a wheel puller?

Jim

[Keith B.]

Re: 1965 BB horn trouble shooting

You can use a puller or you can back the nut off but do not remove it. Then take a hammer and make a good solid hit on the steering shaft. Works for me everytime.

[John H.]

Re: 1965 BB horn trouble shooting

You can use a puller or you can back the nut off but do not remove it. Then take a hammer and make a good solid hit on the steering shaft. Works for me everytime.

Keith -

That method can also shear the injected plastic pins that hold the upper and lower steering shafts together.

[Keith B.]

Re: 1965 BB horn trouble shooting

John wouldn't that apply to 67 on up columns

[John H.]

Re: 1965 BB horn trouble shooting

John wouldn't that apply to 67 on up columns

Yes. Oops - missed the "1965" header.