Horn not working

[snmarshall816]

Hi

I have a little problem with my 1967 Mark 2 3.8. It has a central horn push on it a replacement moto lita wheel as most cars do. The central horn push is earthing correctly and the wire is connected properly and attached to soemthing down in the steering column (feels maybe spring loaded?) The horn pick up at the base of the steering column, when earthed out honks the horn correctly - so the conclusion is that the connection between that and the horn push is not made - can anyone describe the connection and how to disassemble? thanks in advance....

Simon

[piman]

Hello Simon,

there is a cable that runs down the centre of the steering column (or there should be?) from the top which as you say is spring loaded and contacts the horn push, and exits near the brass pick up ring at the base of the column and should connect to it.

Alec

[snmarshall816]

Thanks Alec

So the cable just twists with the steering wheel, is that the design? It looks to me like there's some brass spring or pick up at the bottom, so I was expecting a rod or something through the column. If it's just a cable, is it easy to feed a replacement down?

Thanks

Simon

[piman]

Hello Simon,

the cable doesn't twist but rotates within the column, that's why there is the brass ring at the base and a pick up contact to carry the current when the column turns.
If there is no sign of the cable at the base of the column it looks as if you will need to firstly pull the cable (or what's left of it?) out from the top, then slide some thin stiff wire up from the bottom until it appears at the top. Then attach the new or misplaced cable to it and pull it back down. I expect it will be a little fiddly?

Alec

[piman]

Hello Simon,

disregard most of what I have written. My memory isn't as good as I thought, however I've just had a look at my column, which is out of the car.
The horn contact at the top is connected internally to the insulated brass collar fixed to the inner column at the bottom. It is just visible through a cut away in the outer column. There is a brass wiper that should contact this ring and that has a wire which then goes into the loom. There is also another wiper lower down that contacts the inner column directly. The latter I would say is to ensure the inner and outer column are connected to earth. I think that it is unlikely there will be a problem with the wire in the column itself.
I would guess that one or both of the two wipers I mention are not making contact?

Alec