horn
horn
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horn
No cruise. I have a 76 F150 custom.
I did some looking around, replaced the horn relay (original was apparently good). Then checked for 12vs on the wire going to the switch up near the steering wheel and there appears to be no power. I ran a wire from the the battery to voltmeter, to steering column and it looks like I have a ground but I only get about 10vs. Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this problem?
I did some looking around, replaced the horn relay (original was apparently good). Then checked for 12vs on the wire going to the switch up near the steering wheel and there appears to be no power. I ran a wire from the the battery to voltmeter, to steering column and it looks like I have a ground but I only get about 10vs. Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this problem?
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
horn
The steering column switch provides a ground which closes the relay which blows the horns 
So 12 volts to the relay, yellow wire.
A ground to close the relay, blue/yellow striped wire from the horn switch.
Then 12 volts out of the relay, yellow/green stripe wire, to the horns.
The horns then will blow as they are grounded by their mounting bolts.
So 12 volts to the relay, yellow wire.
A ground to close the relay, blue/yellow striped wire from the horn switch.
Then 12 volts out of the relay, yellow/green stripe wire, to the horns.
The horns then will blow as they are grounded by their mounting bolts.
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Thanks for the reponse sparky.
If I understand correctly, I should have 12 volts to the relay(yellow wire) at all times. Also, I should have 12 volts to the wire coming out the top of the column to the switch (at all times). The switch then grounds to the steering column which provides a voltage to the relay which then closes the relay switch which then allows power the horns, horns are grounded by their fasteners. Is the ignition key involved at all in this circut or anything else?? How come I don't get voltage to the to of the steering column (bad wires maybe??).
If I understand correctly, I should have 12 volts to the relay(yellow wire) at all times. Also, I should have 12 volts to the wire coming out the top of the column to the switch (at all times). The switch then grounds to the steering column which provides a voltage to the relay which then closes the relay switch which then allows power the horns, horns are grounded by their fasteners. Is the ignition key involved at all in this circut or anything else?? How come I don't get voltage to the to of the steering column (bad wires maybe??).
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
horn
Kind of correct
The 12 volts does not go to the steering column....12 volts to the relay...then a ground is provided from the steering column switch..the relay closes and sends 12 volts to the horns.
In stock form the horn works regardless of ignition switch position. The horn's fuse is powered direct from the battery.
The 12 volts does not go to the steering column....12 volts to the relay...then a ground is provided from the steering column switch..the relay closes and sends 12 volts to the horns.
In stock form the horn works regardless of ignition switch position. The horn's fuse is powered direct from the battery.
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horn
So if I put a voltmeter tip from the wire that comes out of the column and the other to the column (ground) I should read 12 volts??
What's a good way to test the relay to steering column to ground circuit.
What's a good way to test the relay to steering column to ground circuit.
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horn
Originally posted by amac104
So if I put a voltmeter tip from the wire that comes out of the column and the other to the column (ground) I should read 12 volts??
What's a good way to test the relay to steering column to ground circuit.
So if I put a voltmeter tip from the wire that comes out of the column and the other to the column (ground) I should read 12 volts??
What's a good way to test the relay to steering column to ground circuit.
To test the ground circuit, use the ohm meter function of your volt meter. Connect it to the steering shaft and to any othe piece of metal in the truck (an unpainted support on the dash would be good). You should see very low resistance (1 to 100 ohms). If not CHECK THAT THERE IS A WIRE ACROSS THE RAG JOINT IN THE STEERING COUPLER. It's located under the hood next to the firewall. (Assuming it's a 2wd truck). Without that wire there is no path to ground for the relay.
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horn
Well here's an update on the horn problem.
After a lot of poking around, following wires, checking their continuity, etc… I discovered that the wire (power source) to the horn relay was cut by the previous owners of the vehicle (not sure why). I patched in a power source and now everything has voltage i.e. 12 volts to horn button and when relay closes the horns get voltage and blow. I do have a big problem though. I cannot seem to get a good ground on the steering shaft. I pulled the wheel and when I put a wire from the steering shaft to a good ground, then take a wire from the horn button to the end of the shaft I can get the horns to blow. I tired 76supercab2 idea of putting a wire across/over the rag joint but it just doesn't give it a good enough ground still. Anybody have any ideas on how I can ground this steering shaft or the horn button?
After a lot of poking around, following wires, checking their continuity, etc… I discovered that the wire (power source) to the horn relay was cut by the previous owners of the vehicle (not sure why). I patched in a power source and now everything has voltage i.e. 12 volts to horn button and when relay closes the horns get voltage and blow. I do have a big problem though. I cannot seem to get a good ground on the steering shaft. I pulled the wheel and when I put a wire from the steering shaft to a good ground, then take a wire from the horn button to the end of the shaft I can get the horns to blow. I tired 76supercab2 idea of putting a wire across/over the rag joint but it just doesn't give it a good enough ground still. Anybody have any ideas on how I can ground this steering shaft or the horn button?
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horn
Well I finally have the horn working! To get a decent ground I made a little deal that connects the steering shaft up near the steering wheel to the column casing. I'll try to explain, sorry no picture.
First I unscrewed the two screws that allow one to push the tapered casing (piece up towards the top) down the steering column. This leave the steering shaft exposed on one side of the column just below where the shaft/column bearing assembly is. I drilled a small hole, which allowed me to place a screw in the casing. The screw points toward the shaft and comes about 3/16 of an inch from it. I then place a small spring that fits very snuggly around the screw and also pushes tightly against the shaft. The spring makes a nice connection from the column casing to the shaft without obstructing steering. The setup seems to provide a good ground for the horn switch that touches the very top of the shaft, which is about 5 inch from the spring connection.
Well there it is. What do you folks think, bad idea, good idea?? It works well anyway and for now that's all I need.
First I unscrewed the two screws that allow one to push the tapered casing (piece up towards the top) down the steering column. This leave the steering shaft exposed on one side of the column just below where the shaft/column bearing assembly is. I drilled a small hole, which allowed me to place a screw in the casing. The screw points toward the shaft and comes about 3/16 of an inch from it. I then place a small spring that fits very snuggly around the screw and also pushes tightly against the shaft. The spring makes a nice connection from the column casing to the shaft without obstructing steering. The setup seems to provide a good ground for the horn switch that touches the very top of the shaft, which is about 5 inch from the spring connection.
Well there it is. What do you folks think, bad idea, good idea?? It works well anyway and for now that's all I need.
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I guess I never thought of it as a slip ring but you're right, it's basically a rudimentary slip ring. I think it should last a long, long time given the fact that a steering wheel doesn't constantly rotate at a rapid rate. The mechanism will fail when the spring wears down so that it no longer provides any pressure on the shaft and I don't foresee that happening any time soon. When I installed it there was a significant amount of pressure. I didn't lube it up, maybe that would be a good idea??
