Horn not working - steering wheel not making connection to the steering column
10-11-2017, 07:49 AM
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Horn not working - steering wheel not making connection to the steering column
Hi all -
I have a weird issue that I'm wondering if it might be related to the improper installation of the steering wheel. I was diagnosing a horn issue (not working when pressing the buttons) on my 88 Toy Pickup. I removed the steering wheel and cleaned the brass ring on the bottom side to ensure it would get a good connection. It was fairly clean already, making me suspicious this was not the problem.
After testing the various electrical connections, I verified the buttons were working correctly and all was well. After I reinstalled the steering wheel, the horn still did not work (all fuses are good, etc.). I peered back behind the steering wheel and noticed the brass ring was not in contact with the brass head on top of the little spring mechanism that the steering wheel brass ring is supposed to connect to. I think this little device is actually on the combination switch in front of the steering column.
I imagine the steering wheel might just not be on the shaft far enough to make contact, but I couldn't get it to go down any further. I inspected my other 88 Toyota pickup and could see that the steering wheel brass ring was making a good connection to the brass head of the spring mechanism on the combination switch, so I removed the steering wheel on the second truck. I inspected the components of this steering wheel and found it to be in good shape, but after I installed the steering wheel on the second truck, the brass ring is no longer making a connection to the brass head of the little spring mechanism on the combination switch.
Is there some trick to installing the steering wheel further onto the shaft to ensure a connection between the brass ring and the brass head spring mechanism? The spring mechanism seems to be in good shape and is at it's full length of travel. I don't think it can be adjusted to protrude out any further.
Thoughts?
I have a weird issue that I'm wondering if it might be related to the improper installation of the steering wheel. I was diagnosing a horn issue (not working when pressing the buttons) on my 88 Toy Pickup. I removed the steering wheel and cleaned the brass ring on the bottom side to ensure it would get a good connection. It was fairly clean already, making me suspicious this was not the problem.
After testing the various electrical connections, I verified the buttons were working correctly and all was well. After I reinstalled the steering wheel, the horn still did not work (all fuses are good, etc.). I peered back behind the steering wheel and noticed the brass ring was not in contact with the brass head on top of the little spring mechanism that the steering wheel brass ring is supposed to connect to. I think this little device is actually on the combination switch in front of the steering column.
I imagine the steering wheel might just not be on the shaft far enough to make contact, but I couldn't get it to go down any further. I inspected my other 88 Toyota pickup and could see that the steering wheel brass ring was making a good connection to the brass head of the spring mechanism on the combination switch, so I removed the steering wheel on the second truck. I inspected the components of this steering wheel and found it to be in good shape, but after I installed the steering wheel on the second truck, the brass ring is no longer making a connection to the brass head of the little spring mechanism on the combination switch.
Is there some trick to installing the steering wheel further onto the shaft to ensure a connection between the brass ring and the brass head spring mechanism? The spring mechanism seems to be in good shape and is at it's full length of travel. I don't think it can be adjusted to protrude out any further.
Thoughts?
