Rag Joint Confusion ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
Rag Joint Confusion ?
So... I have a China re-poped rag joint for my 71. Quality appears decent and "flat" in correct spot. This piece doesn't have a ground strap or wire inbedded in the flex disc. I have read many posts
here that continuity must be maintained across the couplers or the horn will not work. I'm sometimes challenged by wiring diagrams but isn't ground for the horn provided by the wiring harness?
Maybe I am confused.
Thanks
Jim
here that continuity must be maintained across the couplers or the horn will not work. I'm sometimes challenged by wiring diagrams but isn't ground for the horn provided by the wiring harness?
Maybe I am confused.
Thanks
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
The continuity across the rag joint is insurance that there is available ground at the steering wheel horn button. The horn button on the steering wheel provides a ground to the horn relay which sends +12 volts to the horn. Many times the ground for the horn button is available through the steering shaft bearings also.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I Had to add a ground strap across my rag-joint to get the horn to work properly as well (same issue, nothing inside the replacement one)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rag-joint.html
M
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rag-joint.html
M
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Most 'good' auto parts stores will carry 'body ground straps'. They are braided copper wire with loop ends. Just tell them what you need (length and hole size in loops) and let them rummage around to find something that will work. If you find one that is too long, cut out the section you do not need and solder the butt joint back together (use a propane torch to get it hot enough to take solder). That joint will be solid, but the rest of the braided wire will flex enough to get the job done.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Nov 19, 2019 at 03:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
Thanks '75, your explanation was a huge help. I was confused.
Thanks Mooser for your 2.0 solution. Has it held up these past 4-5 years?
I also like Jim Shea's solution to use the lower mounting plate wired to a ground point.
Would the same point on the birdcage that is used by the dash harness be OK to use?
What type/size wire should be used??
Thanks Mooser for your 2.0 solution. Has it held up these past 4-5 years?
I also like Jim Shea's solution to use the lower mounting plate wired to a ground point.
Would the same point on the birdcage that is used by the dash harness be OK to use?
What type/size wire should be used??
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Thanks '75, your explanation was a huge help. I was confused.
Thanks Mooser for your 2.0 solution. Has it held up these past 4-5 years?
I also like Jim Shea's solution to use the lower mounting plate wired to a ground point.
Would the same point on the birdcage that is used by the dash harness be OK to use?
What type/size wire should be used??
Thanks Mooser for your 2.0 solution. Has it held up these past 4-5 years?
I also like Jim Shea's solution to use the lower mounting plate wired to a ground point.
Would the same point on the birdcage that is used by the dash harness be OK to use?
What type/size wire should be used??
The dash harness ground (behind the kick-panel) should work, I used that same point for my backup cameras and power door locks (I believe)
Amp draw on the horn relay isn't all that much (fed by a 20g at the harmonica), I tend to use 16 or 18 for grounds on "light" electronics
M
