Horn not working

[Jens Wendorff]

Something strange...

During a slighly frightening event at the weekend, I found out that my horn(s) are not working in any position of the steering wheel .
They are NOT working when driving AND cornering (steering wheel movement over ca. 25°).
They work when the car is standing, independently of engine running or not or steering wheel turning or not.
They also work while driving straight.

So I have a hard time to check this out...
I already cleaned the contact ring at the steering wheel and checked the ground strap inside. Both OK.

Any idea where and how to search?
(I think its stupid to drive around the block with a voltmeter taped to the hood)

Thanks for any input.
Its again an electrical problem (?), so I have not the faintest idea.

Jens

'76 2.7 CIS with '73 body conversion

[warment]

Sounds like a bad horn contact switch...

------------------
William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

[Jens Wendorff]

Please continue...
Which contact switch do you mean?

As far a sI know, the only "switch" is the contact point(s) in the steering wheel.

Anything else?

Jens

[warment]

The horn contact switch is underneath the horn button on the steering wheel. My switch was broken on my 73, so I replaced it with a new one and the problem was fixed. I am not sure about your car though, but I would check this out first. If the horn works with the wheel in one direction, but not another, I would suspect that the switch is in a bind or is not making good contact with the steering wheel horn button. A new contact is pretty cheap(under $30), so I would go ahead and replace it.

Bill

------------------
William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

[feelyx]

If your horn isn't working then by law you are required to post the "Watch for finger"
sticker.

Tim in Sac

[Jens Wendorff]

mmhhm...switch

I have the 3-spoke carrera wheel, so no dedicated "switch" under the horn pad. Just 3 contact points, which work well while standing. (why shouldn't they while driving???)

Any test method to go searching?

Jens

P.S. I still don't have any sticker on my car, but the finger is needed to grab the wheel in case of emergency! Better to drive AROUND a farm tractor crossing when you are coming along with 100mph! Re-newed brakes and good front tyres also help to save lives...

[marc weintraub]

Hi Jens,

I have the same problem in my 73. If you pull off the center part of your steering wheel and remove the horn activator (little stick-like switch), you will see it is made out of plastic and has a spring loaded part that completes the circuit when compressed. Inspect this part carefully.

Mine had cracked and when I went around a corner it would short out on the metal of the steering assembly. There are two activators/switches, both different lengths. Mine is a 110mm, while the other is shorter (I don't remember what the other size was).

[Jens Wendorff]

Guys, I really appreciate your ideas, but either I do not understand what you mean or we are talking about slightly different things.

Please have a look in this diagram, showing the steering wheel layout (mine is 3-spoke instead of 4, but it works similar):

http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911_Parts/1974-75/4-3-1.JPG

I cannot identify a central horn switch (sorry). Only the cable at part #28 is attached to the horn pad #32. When the pad is pressed, little contacts close the loop.

What am I missing ?

Jens

[Jens Wendorff]

Anyone???

[marc weintraub]

Hi Jens,

I have a 4 spoke wheel as well. I don't think the diagram has the horn button in it. If you have the original wheel, remove the center area by twisting it counterclockwise( i think this is the right direction) and it should come off.

From there, you should see a button like piece sticking up out of the wheel assembly. It will usually have a black tip and bronze-like plunger (this is the horn switch). Pull this out and check that it is not cracked or grounding out against the metal. Mine had cracked and once replaced, it worked fine.

Hope this helps.

Marc