Horn push on steering wheel

[Phil W]

My 1974 +2 130/5 has just passed its MOT first time again - for as long as I can remeber the horn has been activated by a flick switch mounted on the trim panel below the steering column as the black plastic plate that acts as the ground inside the upper part of the steering column had disintegrated. I'm determined to try and reinstate the correct function and have acquired a late Series V Triump Spitfire steering column for the purpose.

Looking at what's fitted to my Elan compared to the workhop manual I'm suprised to see that the horn doesn't seem to operate via a 'pencil' activated by pushing the centre boss but that the whole of the boss seems to be spring loaded. The boss is an integral part of the steering wheel and can't be removed as a separate item. It appears a metal ring makes permanent contact with one located on the plastic plate as the steering wheel is rotated and the circuit is completed by pushing the boss on the steering wheel.

I'm assuming that my 3 spoke steering wheel is non standard and was an after market fitment - although I've had the car since 1986!

Anyone got anything similar and can give some advice please?

[robcall]

Your car most likely has the later steering wheel fitted late 1971 on.
Sounds like the car may have had a previous earth problem and been modified!
see-
elan-f14/sprint-horn-push-t13924.html
elan-f15/horn-comes-itself-t13693.html

[kcrossle]

My 1969 Plus 2 had the same "modification" - a toggle switch on the dashboard to operate the horn, which was how I bought it. In the recent rebuild it was discovered that the "brushes" which make the elctrical contact from pushing the horm button were broken. $15 US from rdent.com and it works a charm. Now I am looking for a use for that hole in the dash.

Keith

[Phil W]

Thanks all.
I'm assuming there must be a wire somewhere that attaches to the 'fixed' brass ring located in the plastic plate below the steering wheel?

[paddy]

I'm assuming there must be a wire somewhere that attaches to the 'fixed' brass ring located in the plastic plate below the steering wheel?

On my steering column it is a single loose wire that is routed down the column, alongside the wires from each of the column switches. I think it is purple but I might be imagining that bit.

Paddy

[andyelan]

Hi Phil

The link Elan/f14 shows what the steering wheel on your car should look like so if you've got all the bits, you should be able to get things working with the spitfire column ok. However, to get the horn to work, the column must be earthed to the steering rack and as there's a rubber joint in the column next to UJ unless if this is bridged with a wire you'll have problems. The difficulty is, getting to this uj with the carbs in place, that's why at the moment my car hasn't got a working horn

Regards
Andy

[Stuart+2]

Andy

This joint is accessible from the front wheel well after removing the wheel.
I recently replaced mine and this was a relatively easy job with only minor contortions required.

Cheers

[Phil W]

Thanks all. Looks like a job for a wet weekend.

[alaric]

Hi. As my steering wheel and horn switch are in bits I took a few pics and have attached them. I suppose the bits to note on the switch are the plastic top hats that insulate the top plate, the wire that pushes through the top plate - mine's shown not connected but it pushes through the hole in the top plate - I opened up the gap in the tube on the end of the wire to make sure it was a good tight fit. Then the brass screws that you push the steering wheel boss onto - if you overtighten them they'll break. I tested the assembly with a resistance meter once I'd put it all back together and it seemed to work fine. An earth on the steering column, as discussed above, is needed.

Hope that helps.

Sean.