77 steering column horn problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 35
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From: OP KS
77 steering column horn problem
I recently replaced the turn signal switch and the wind shield wiper/dimmer switch. I used Jim Shea’s instructions for removal and reassembly http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/ (very helpful). Once I got everything back together the horn did not work (never worked before). At the time I was not too worried about because everything else worked. After driving the car a couple times I have a new problem. Every time I turn the steering wheel the horn goes off. It does not matter which way I turn it but I think it happens quicker turning it to the elft. When I straighten the wheel back to center it stops. If you hold it at a turned postion it will hold the horn on. Can you give me some suggestions on what I may have assembled wrong or what to look for when I tear back into it this weekend?
Thanks in advance!!!
Thanks in advance!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
how tough was the turn signal switch rebuild? i think i have to do that my left turn signal will not engage unless the wipers are on...how strange is that, if i hold it down it works fine. did this take long to accomplish? thks bob
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 35
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From: OP KS
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: OP KS
You will need a steering wheel puller kit. It is not horrible, but I did not find it to be one of the more fun projects. The first thing you need to check is the screw that goes into the turn signal connector, if the screw is loose at all it will cause your problem. If this has been happening for a while it could crack the turn signal cam or the wiper/dimmer switch which is what happened to mine. I would guess it took me 10-15 hours to tear it down find out what was going on and putting it back together. (obviously wrong)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
You are most likely going to have to remove the steering wheel and steering wheel hub. The hub will have a large spring on the underside. This spring must only touch the three brass horn contacts that extend up through the locking plate. There is a plastic retainer (GM #7808385) that acts as an insulator and should cause the large spring to touch only the three brass contacts and not any other metal steering column parts. This plastic retainer is known to become very brittle with age and if it is broken or missing, it could allow the big spring to ground out and the horn to blow.
Also, there is a single screw that attaches a small crossover arm to the turn signal switch. That arm extends over to the dimmer pivot where the turn signal lever plugs-in. If that screw starts to back out it can start hitting the underside of the lower horn contact and cause the horn to blow.
You will have to remove the c-clip and the locking plate in order to gain access to the crossover arm screw.
Also, there is a single screw that attaches a small crossover arm to the turn signal switch. That arm extends over to the dimmer pivot where the turn signal lever plugs-in. If that screw starts to back out it can start hitting the underside of the lower horn contact and cause the horn to blow.
You will have to remove the c-clip and the locking plate in order to gain access to the crossover arm screw.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Here is a follow up thought prompted by the steering coupler thread.
The OP could have installed his horn contact wrong and its grounding all the time(this is not uncommon).
If the rag-joint has been replaced in the past with one that has no mesh the horn could be finding a ground path through the bearings in the column while turning.
This would produce the intermittent beep.
Thoughts ???
To the OP- remove the horn contact and drive the car if the beep goes away it might be what I said above.
If the horn continues to beep your going to have to go deeper into the column per Jims instructions.
The OP could have installed his horn contact wrong and its grounding all the time(this is not uncommon).
If the rag-joint has been replaced in the past with one that has no mesh the horn could be finding a ground path through the bearings in the column while turning.
This would produce the intermittent beep.
Thoughts ???
To the OP- remove the horn contact and drive the car if the beep goes away it might be what I said above.
If the horn continues to beep your going to have to go deeper into the column per Jims instructions.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
You will need a steering wheel puller kit. It is not horrible, but I did not find it to be one of the more fun projects. The first thing you need to check is the screw that goes into the turn signal connector, if the screw is loose at all it will cause your problem. If this has been happening for a while it could crack the turn signal cam or the wiper/dimmer switch which is what happened to mine. I would guess it took me 10-15 hours to tear it down find out what was going on and putting it back together. (obviously wrong)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: OP KS
Thanks for the help. It ended up being the cross over arm screw. Now the horn works only when it is supposed to! 
You are most likely going to have to remove the steering wheel and steering wheel hub. The hub will have a large spring on the underside. This spring must only touch the three brass horn contacts that extend up through the locking plate. There is a plastic retainer (GM #7808385) that acts as an insulator and should cause the large spring to touch only the three brass contacts and not any other metal steering column parts. This plastic retainer is known to become very brittle with age and if it is broken or missing, it could allow the big spring to ground out and the horn to blow.
Also, there is a single screw that attaches a small crossover arm to the turn signal switch. That arm extends over to the dimmer pivot where the turn signal lever plugs-in. If that screw starts to back out it can start hitting the underside of the lower horn contact and cause the horn to blow.
You will have to remove the c-clip and the locking plate in order to gain access to the crossover arm screw.
Also, there is a single screw that attaches a small crossover arm to the turn signal switch. That arm extends over to the dimmer pivot where the turn signal lever plugs-in. If that screw starts to back out it can start hitting the underside of the lower horn contact and cause the horn to blow.
You will have to remove the c-clip and the locking plate in order to gain access to the crossover arm screw.
