Hey, when I push the horn button it shocks the crap out of me!! Is it the ground or what??

 

its the horn contact that holds the horn button on.

 

Thanks Nowhere Man!! How do I go about fixing it? Do you know?

 

I understand that is from the horn relay acting like a coil....

 

Don't touch it!!! Sorry, couldn't resist... Sure someone knows the correct fix action...



Rogman

 

There's an inductive 'kick' from the coil in the horn relay getting back to that horn button, somehow. There has to be a wiring error, a grounding problem (most likely), or a short of some kind in your system, somewhere. But, nothing like that in my experience. [But, I'll still put my 'money' on a grounding problem.]

 

Any chance that you replaced your flexible steering shaft coupling recently? The newer replacement couplings may not have a ground strap nor do they have wire mesh imbedded in the face of the rubber coupling disc. Also, if you have an original flexible coupling, the grounding strap (built into the center section of the coupling assembly could be broken.) This could mean that your horn ground current is searching for a way to reach ground when you try and blow your horn.

As a test, take a piece of short wire, go out under the hood, and connect the steering column shaft coming out of the dash to the flange on the input shaft of the gear (jumping over the rubber disc).

See if this test eliminates the shock you are experiencing.

If jumping the flex coupling works, we can explore adding some other ground path for the horn current on a more permanent basis. (I would be a bit concerned about a loose wire flopping around as a permanent fix.)

I just noticed that rather than a jumper wire, you could just shove a large screwdrive blade inbetween the stop pin and the detachable steering column flange. (Just about where the arrowhead from the "Stop Pin at 12 o'clock" is pointing.) This would effectively ground from one side of the coupling assembly to the other. Obviously, you couldn't drive that way.
Jim

 

Is it a tilt-column? If so, you have to pull it out and make repairs. Shoot me an e-mail and I can walk you through it. mghaluska@aol.com

 

You have me curious,
I have been all over many years of vette horn buttons, on standard , tilt and tilt tele columns, didnt run into one that I had to pull the column to service....the relay is not in the column.

 

It is a metal cap on a metal steering wheel and yes it is a tilt wheel but it is not a new build. It must be a ground or bald wire cause I turned the wheel this morning and the horn tryed to honk.

 

to replace the horn contact first go to GM and buy one. if no longer available (I forget) see your a parts house. they are less then 15 bucks. disconnect the battery, remove horn cap. there should be three screws holding it in place. remove and replace. this only works on a standard column

 

You can tear your column apart and you can go and purchase new horn contacts but for the most part you have somehow lost the ground path through the steering shaft to the rest of the car. Jumping the flex coupling with a wire or a screwdriver might go a long way toward understanding the problem. It might be as simple as attaching a wire to the big welded steering column mounting bracket and attaching the other end of the wire to a known ground under the dash.
Jim
Jim

 

So it sounds like all I need to do is ground the steering column and that will solve the problem??

 

That MAY solve the problem. It's a simple thing to try...

 

Did you ever fix your horn ground problem? If so, what fixed it? We spent a lot of time coming up with ideas as to helping you. It would be nice to have a status report.
Jim Shea

 

It helps all of us help each other when something gets fixed and we can see what works...even though some of us are just lurking.....doesn't mean we still want to learn.
Thanks for the update in advance, good call Jim.

 

Not really the same as OP but related,
When My 69 got here it had no horn sound, so I pulled that combo horn relay key buzzer and opened it up, any bench test pretty much would yield a shock if touched in the right place,

The new horn relay works good on the horn and soso for key buzzer,

I also know that the grounds on my car are less than happy,
right now the front suspension is apart being rebuilt when that is over the next day or two I need to get in there and remove, clean the mating surface of neg cable and metal frame and check other places.

 

Hey guys sorry I haven't responded to all the help but I had a death in the family and the car problem has to take a back seat for a while and as soon as I fix it I will touch base with ya'll. Sorry for the delay and thanks again for all the input guys!!!

 

Sorry for you loss. Get back when you are able.
Jim

 

Hey fellows I am going to take a "shock" or stab at the horn problem tomorrow. I am praying that it is something simple, cause I really need to be working on stopping the heat in the cockpit area!!! It really gets hot on those Texas drives. I'll get back with ya'll as soon as I find out whats wrong.