79 Steering Column Mystery.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
79 Steering Column Mystery.
1979 Tilt/Tele column. Went into the column with the purpose of replacing turn signal switch, repairing horn and tightening the play in the tilt.
I had all the correct tools and replacement parts. I only went in as far as the switch. Replaced Switch, Horn Contact and Horn Assembly.
I also was able to tightened just one of the deep 1/4 bolts and tighten up the tilt considerable.
Turn signals now work perfect. But the horn blows constantly and the steering wheel is harder to turn while driving.
I'm assuming that something is grounding in the column or maybe the horn relay is not disconnecting.
I went back in the column removed everything all the way to the horn contact and horn would still would blow constant with
all parts out and battery connected.
As for the wheel being harder to turn. All I added was a horn contact spacer (Old one was mush) and tightened the 1/4 bolt to firm up the tilt.
The wheel effort is not terrible and I like a tight steering feel. I'm just wondering what I did to achieve it.
Anyone have any suggestions on the horn or any enlightenment on why my steering has firmed up. Thanks
I had all the correct tools and replacement parts. I only went in as far as the switch. Replaced Switch, Horn Contact and Horn Assembly.
I also was able to tightened just one of the deep 1/4 bolts and tighten up the tilt considerable.
Turn signals now work perfect. But the horn blows constantly and the steering wheel is harder to turn while driving.
I'm assuming that something is grounding in the column or maybe the horn relay is not disconnecting.
I went back in the column removed everything all the way to the horn contact and horn would still would blow constant with
all parts out and battery connected.
As for the wheel being harder to turn. All I added was a horn contact spacer (Old one was mush) and tightened the 1/4 bolt to firm up the tilt.
The wheel effort is not terrible and I like a tight steering feel. I'm just wondering what I did to achieve it.
Anyone have any suggestions on the horn or any enlightenment on why my steering has firmed up. Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Update: Convinced that the "Relay" is causing my horn always on issue. I just pulled it and it was warm to the touch.
I'm thinking that it could also be causing a battery drain because the horn is a always hot circuit.
Last edited by Bloodzone; Aug 22, 2020 at 10:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
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From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Horn relays can stick closed or even close intermittently due to vehicle movement* but that won't make the relay feel warm because the coil isn't energized. A warm relay means that the coil is constantly energized. In our horn circuits that means it is getting ground from somewhere as it has constant, fuse protected +12V power from the ACC fuse. Ground for the horn relay comes from the steering column via a very reliable albeit difficult-to-adjust and difficult-to-understand arrangement. That plastic insulator/retainer piece referenced in the previous message is critical. It can sit there working perfectly until you disassemble upon which it can disintegrate before you touch it or even realize it is there. Also the rotational position of the odd long spring that rests on the insulator/retainer is critical as well--if in the wrong position the horn will honk when you turn or have the telescope in a certain position.
