73 horn problem
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
73 horn problem
I just put new horn contacts in the steering wheel of my 73. Everything works fine until I put the horn button on and the horn won't shut off. If I manually pull the button back the horn stops. For some reason with the button on contact is being made. Any suggestions?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Do you have tilt tele? If so, you might add another shim under the contact. Another idea would be to pull the upper contact back off and put it on the horn button off the car. See if the new contact is maybe forcing closed from some interference.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Yes It is a T&T wheel. I already have tried up to 4 shims. It works perfectly until I put the cap on and then a connection is made. If I pull the cap back manually the horn stops but as soon as I let go it sounds again. I thinking maybe I got a defective horn contact. Going to order a new on and see.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yes It is a T&T wheel. I already have tried up to 4 shims. It works perfectly until I put the cap on and then a connection is made. If I pull the cap back manually the horn stops but as soon as I let go it sounds again. I thinking maybe I got a defective horn contact. Going to order a new on and see.
Look at the rivets in the original horn contact.. or the repro..
If you push the center pin out.. you'll see that the contact rivet will release.
Take the new contact.. remove the rivets from it.. Take the old one apart and clean all the "touch" surfaces.
Then use the parts from the new contact and rebuild the old one. I'll bet this solves your problem..
There must be an issue with the upper contact, but if you re-use the old one and re-rivet it with the new rivets I'll be you'll be okay. 
Willcox
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Do this.. (I'll bet the old upper contact has broken plastic rivets... just a hunch.. )
Look at the rivets in the original horn contact.. or the repro..
If you push the center pin out.. you'll see that the contact rivet will release.
Take the new contact.. remove the rivets from it.. Take the old one apart and clean all the "touch" surfaces.
Then use the parts from the new contact and rebuild the old one. I'll bet this solves your problem.. There must be an issue with the upper contact, but if you re-use the old one and re-rivet it with the new rivets I'll be you'll be okay.
Willcox
Look at the rivets in the original horn contact.. or the repro..
If you push the center pin out.. you'll see that the contact rivet will release.
Take the new contact.. remove the rivets from it.. Take the old one apart and clean all the "touch" surfaces.
Then use the parts from the new contact and rebuild the old one. I'll bet this solves your problem..
There must be an issue with the upper contact, but if you re-use the old one and re-rivet it with the new rivets I'll be you'll be okay. Willcox
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Bruce Gauld
I want to thank you for your help. After you explained how to take the contact apart I did that. I found there was a sliver of a ridge on the outside edge of the contact plate. I ground the ridge off and it fixed the problem. It was just enough to make a connection with the pressure of the horn button. Thanks again.
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