Horn and column problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Horn and column problem
Having issues with the horn on my 81'. Is blowing all the time (just got the vette last year and the fuse was out). Have finally found the issue. First, the small plunger under the horn button was not even there but the horn was still blowing all the time. Pulled the wheel and the found that there is a large spring (maybe 1 1/2") that connects the bottom of the plunger (tab) to 3 sets of contacts. Two of the contacts are set up kinda high and on is recessed. The spring sits on two but also touches the steering shaft.
I suspect I am missing some kind of plastic spacer that controls the bottom of the spring. Can anyone confirm this and can anyone point me to a steering column breakdown online?
Thanks,
Mike
I suspect I am missing some kind of plastic spacer that controls the bottom of the spring. Can anyone confirm this and can anyone point me to a steering column breakdown online?
Thanks,
Mike
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Here's a link to something that might be it but not sure.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1716
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1716
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,427
Likes: 1
From: Tracy California
here is a link with some pics, hope it helps.
click here
It was insane fixing mine....tried myself, installed it backwards... but my mechanic did a great job.. He even put in the little plastic retainer thingy for free.. after he stopped laughing...
click here
It was insane fixing mine....tried myself, installed it backwards... but my mechanic did a great job.. He even put in the little plastic retainer thingy for free.. after he stopped laughing...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
You need to talk with Jim Shea ... resident expert on steering system/column.
He should check in here sometime soon.
Here is one of his papers: http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...&R1-30MY06.doc
Sounds like the horn contact is missing part of the plastic that shields the spring through the steering wheel hub.
He should check in here sometime soon.
Here is one of his papers: http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...&R1-30MY06.doc
Sounds like the horn contact is missing part of the plastic that shields the spring through the steering wheel hub.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
I think I am missing something that sits under the LOWER spring not the small spring and plunger through the hub (although that was missing too). My issue is with the lower spring giving ground to the circuit at the base of the spring. The link I posted above I think has something to do with the turn signals and not my issue.
The diagrams posted don't really show any detail on the lower spring unit (which is for telescoping only I assume).
Any more ideas?
The diagrams posted don't really show any detail on the lower spring unit (which is for telescoping only I assume).
Any more ideas?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
I don't know what year you have, but on the '79 tilt/tele column I took apart I had a miserable experience with. My horn was blowing every rotation of the steering wheel. I now have a horn bottun on my center panel. (I prefer neutral revs!!) The mfg. exploded diagrams were not correct for my model- I wasted money on special order parts through the GM parts dept.- could not return. Good luck--
Oh- I also ended up with a new ignition switch in the dash....
Oh- I also ended up with a new ignition switch in the dash....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I believe you need a new plastic c-clip retainer. The following are instructions from my tilt & telescoping strg column disassembly and repair paper #1.
Remove the spacers, the bumper (it could be a piece of hose with a clamp), and the plastic c-clip retainer. Please note that most plastic c-clip retainers have become very brittle with age and will most likely break when removed. It will have to be replaced. Although it is called a retainer, it also functions as the horn electrical ground path insulator. Without it, you will find that the telescoping spring that is part of the lower horn contact will touch the metal shaft lock plate and your horn will blow continuously. The c-clip retainer can be obtained from several suppliers such as:
GM dealers - Part #7808385 - Retainer
Zip Products - Part #SC-517 - 69-82 Cancelling Cam Plastic Retainer
Remove the spacers, the bumper (it could be a piece of hose with a clamp), and the plastic c-clip retainer. Please note that most plastic c-clip retainers have become very brittle with age and will most likely break when removed. It will have to be replaced. Although it is called a retainer, it also functions as the horn electrical ground path insulator. Without it, you will find that the telescoping spring that is part of the lower horn contact will touch the metal shaft lock plate and your horn will blow continuously. The c-clip retainer can be obtained from several suppliers such as:
GM dealers - Part #7808385 - Retainer
Zip Products - Part #SC-517 - 69-82 Cancelling Cam Plastic Retainer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Jim,
Thanks a bunch. Thats the part I had a link to above. Was getting more confused and started thinking the cam part of the name made it for the turn signal. Thanks again as I think that is exactly what I need.
This site is awesome.
Thanks a bunch. Thats the part I had a link to above. Was getting more confused and started thinking the cam part of the name made it for the turn signal. Thanks again as I think that is exactly what I need.
This site is awesome.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
When I first broke that plastic retainer clip into pieces on my 1975, it was a weekend (Murphy's Law).
Bubba Shea used duct tape to cover the lock plate. Then I took a sharp Exacto knife and carefully cut out the tape in the areas of the three contacts. It worked acceptably until I could purchase a new retainer.
Jim
Bubba Shea used duct tape to cover the lock plate. Then I took a sharp Exacto knife and carefully cut out the tape in the areas of the three contacts. It worked acceptably until I could purchase a new retainer.
Jim
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Bubba Mike was going to blindly make one on the lathe and mill out of pvc if he couldn't find a breakdown of this part. But, I just happen to live 15 miles from Zip and will slip up there today and make my first deposit.
