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C3 Horn grounding

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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 09:56 AM
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Default C3 Horn grounding

I am working on a 72. The steering coupler/rag joint needs to be replaced and I have 3 or 4 parts and pieces. I am a C2 person so my knowledge of C3s is limited. On a C2 the horn grounding for operation runs through the steering coupler/rag joint. So, if you don't have continuity through the rag joint, the horns will not work. The C3 rag joints I have are pretty rusty, I'm treating one of them now with Evaporust, but I have not been able to get continuity end-to-end testing with my VOM.

My question is does the C3 horns work like the C2, i.e., when you press the horn a ground is created to activate the horns and the grounding passes down the steering shaft and through the rag joint?

Thanks,
Don
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by dharris45
I am working on a 72. The steering coupler/rag joint needs to be replaced and I have 3 or 4 parts and pieces. I am a C2 person so my knowledge of C3s is limited. On a C2 the horn grounding for operation runs through the steering coupler/rag joint. So, if you don't have continuity through the rag joint, the horns will not work. The C3 rag joints I have are pretty rusty, I'm treating one of them now with Evaporust, but I have not been able to get continuity end-to-end testing with my VOM.

My question is does the C3 horns work like the C2, i.e., when you press the horn a ground is created to activate the horns and the grounding passes down the steering shaft and through the rag joint?

Thanks,
Don
Yes! The horn on a C-3 grounds through the rag joint.
You can run a wire from one side of the upper rag joint to the lower side to make a ground.
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 10:33 AM
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Thanks, that is what I was afraid of. What I have found working on C2 rag joints is that once they get pretty rusty, it is hit or miss with whether you can get continuity between the sides. And doing an externa wire like you suggest or a complete disassembly and rebuild is the only way to fix the problem.

Don
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 12:44 PM
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I just was able to get my horn working because of a bad ground was the problem. 1ST time I ever fixed one. Next are the windshield wipers and that looks like a nightmare. I'm not sure if I will be able to get it or not but I'm going to try
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 05:33 PM
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I ended up running a jumper wire across the rag joint on my 72 as well


M
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Old Sep 26, 2023 | 10:37 PM
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Braided jumper works well if the flex disc in the rag-joint does not have metal mesh embedded in it.
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