Selling my spec car, need some help to fix the horn.

[cvriv.charles]

Im going to sell my spec na. The only thing that needs attention really is the horn. I already tried fixing it awhile ago. I thought I would try again. Here's what I've done.

#I tested the actual horns using a 12v supply and they sounded off just fine.

#I tested the horn's relay using a 12v supply and a voltmeter and it works fine.

#Im pretty sure I checked the fuse too although I dont remember doing so.

#I checked the horns ground wire thats bolted to the cross member. Its appears to be in good condition.

#I check the horn button in the steering wheel and its works fine.

What else needs to be checked out? How do I zero in on the problem? Also,... both my low beams burnt out. I have ice shark wiring according to the PO of the car. This include headlight relays so I can run high power lamps. Do I have to purchase high power lamps or can I just use regular lamps for now?

[seafeye]

My stock steering wheel the horn worked fine. Then I put a mono on and then it didn't. I did what u did andeverything checked out fine. Then I bent the crap out of the contact under the hub n hadn't had any issues.

[AA_Ezra]

In my early car once the steering wheel is removed there is like a large flat o-ring type of thing that is made of copper/brass. There is a piece of aluminum that slides onto the shaft that has metal chrome tab thingy under it that makes contact with that brass o-ring thing. In my case both parts were very very dirty and made the horn not work, that and i needed to bend the tab out a little more to make sure it made good contact.

Then there is the metal wire that goes off of the aluminum thing that has the tab that goes on the shaft, I had to re-solder that piece to make sure there was not a cold solder and it started working after that

Hope it helps

[HondaDustR]

My only solution was to ziptie a ground strap from the steering shaft under the dash to the body...had to make it long enough so it could wrap around the shaft from lock to lock. Without it, the horn works intermittently at best. Apparently, the steering rack is not a good conductor through all the u-joints and the mechanisms inside with age. The rack ground and everything else is fine.

[pontifex4]

I would guess that it's the little copper wiper spring which you can see if you take the steering wheel off. Undo that big nut (~27mm) and pull the wheel out a little, but not off: if you don't see the copper spring arching up to contact the contact ring on the wheel, you'll need to pull the wheel all the way off and bend the spring up a little.

By the way, if you're worried about the horn ground, you can test the resistance from the connector just beside the screw that holds it down to an inch away from it on the cross member. You should see practically zero Ohm.

[cvriv.charles]

Thanks for the replies guys. The car does have a momo steering wheel. I actually replaced the cars original momo with another momo. The momo off my wrecked car. I can't recall whether the horn worked or not on my old 951 with the momo I'm using on the spec car. I'm not an avid horn user and the last car I think had plenty of inspection time left so I didn't have to get it inspected.

I will do all that's mentioned here. Probably on friday when its suppose to be warm.

Thanks.

[cvriv.charles]

I got it!!!! Soooooo stupid!!! I got the car up on ramps. Went under the car and checked for continuity from the steering rack end of the ground wire to the cross member end and that checked out fine. I tired a wire at the steering rack end of the ground wire and ran that into the car so I could check for continuity from one side of the steering column to the other and that checked out fine. I checked to make sure the steering positive contact had power. It did. I checked that the sterring wheel grounds fine. it does. I checked the button again. it works. I hook everything up and nothing!!!!!! So I rip out the button and check for power from the wire that connects to the button and,...... nothing! I soon learn the the positive steering contact isnt even touching the contact ring on the steering wheel. The contact rinng is a bit smaller in diameter so the contact was riding on the raised rim of it. SH@#!!!!!

I decided to keep my car too. I'll have to do a belt change on it right away too. Not looking forward to that.

[Scootin159]

Charles,

Not sure if you remember me, but I'm the PO . Anyways, my input:

1) I was gonna say the horn is probably at the button level. With the Momo wheel I had in there, I didn't always reattach the horn ground wire when I took the wheel on & off. Come inspection time I normally had to reattach that wire when I needed it to pass.

2) As for the headlights - check that there's power going to the light itself. One of the fuse holders (drivers side IIRC) in the wiring harness had a broken wire in it, and I hadn't gotten around to replacing it. Also, as you probably know, the ignition has to be in the "run" position for the headlights to come on.

And yes, you can put standard OE-style "sealed beam" lights in there - the wiring is all compatible. Probably the better option though would be to just get normal H4 bulbs and reuse the existing lenses. I've had to do that on occasion when the bulbs blew and I didn't want to wait for shipping on fancy high-watt bulbs.

[cvriv.charles]

Whats good Scott I remember you I fixed the horn. The contact arm behind the momo that is suppose to come into contac with that contact ring of the momo wasnt. With a bit of tweaking I got it to touch just fine.

About the head lights,... its was a loose fuse. With pliers I crimp the holder a bit and all is snug.

I just got done replaing the wiper motor because it just died a bit ago. I used the one that came with the car. Runs as new now. I love it.

Even though I decided to keep the car i think I will end up selling it anyways. A shame because this car is so much fun. Good to hear from you Scott. Hows your other car coming along?!?!? On the track with it yet?

[Scootin159]

The other car was on track all last summer. As of last fall I was about 4 seconds/lap off a top national guy. This winter I did some major upgrades though, so hopefully it will at least halve that.

[cvriv.charles]

Awesome Scott. Thats awesome Any on car videos?!?!? Would love to see em.

[Scootin159]

I do have one good one (check under my favorites on youtube), but there will be a LOT more coming soon as I just got a new helmet cam.

YouTube - Scootin159's Channel

[cvriv.charles]

CNY SCCA Cherry Valley? You rally too? Damn. Your busy as hell, LOL. What engine you runnin on that cart? Well,.. im giving up on cars for awhile. I kind of found myself getting into NRA. I just got my carbine about a week ago. Had my glock for several months now. Im going to get an acog for my rifle once I sell the car. After that it will be school and nra. A simple life.

[Scootin159]

Yeah - run at Cherry Valley a few times a year. I've done a few rallycrosses over the years, but this year will be the first time doing a whole season. Definitely gonna be a busy season though - but that's a great way to get the most out of a summer .