Horn wiring

[Lotus54]

Before I start looking, I thought I would ask and perhaps that would help save me some time.

The horn started going off anytime I turned to the left. Quite annoying. I unplugged the relay temporarily.

I speculate that the earth wire from horn button has a bare/worn spot where it follows the steering shaft.
Before I start looking, most likely spots?

Thanks
Mark

66 Elan

[mbell]

My experience is due to issues the contact ring and steering wheel area. So I'd start at the button and if nothing obvious remove the wheel.

The plastic the ring is mounted to is know to go brittle and break with age. If that happens it can move with the wheel and make contact with the outer column.

[Lotus54]

I took button and spring connector out- still did it. I will pop off wheel

[nmauduit]

if somehow the steering wheel is pushed forward so that the hub can contact the shroud (grounded) then the horn will go... easy enough to test try with a piece of wire, not always easy to durably solve (esp. if you lend you car to enthusistic friends). The "collapsible" steering has a fixture to set the steering wheel height...

[ericbushby]

Hi mark,
I have just the same situation which started yesterday. I have disconnected the horn until I investigate it.
In the past this fault was caused by the rotating part of the steering wheel hub touching the stationary section as it turned. Push a small screwdriver into the gap to demonstrate it.
I moved the steering wheel back about 1mm to increase the clearance. I think I slackened the clamp at the steering rack to move it.
best of luck
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[Lotus54]

Eric,
That was it! One of the screws holding the hub (looks non-original) was just touching the ring sometimes.

I happened to have kept a Europa wheel (for decades) and had it recovered a bit ago. I put it on, and works great. It is slightly smaller diameter, which feels pretty good so far.

Thanks!

[cliveyboy]

Its usually the UJ that connects steering column and steering rack.
It comes loose and the steering column moves slightly so it then contacts the horn ring and makes a circuit.
I had same problem on my Sprint, horn sounding every time I turned
Its usually sorted by just tightening the UJ
Clive