12v for Horn

[vroombang]

Hi everyone

I am tryingto fix the horn on my 1990 T3. I have taken the horn cover off the steering wheel and exposed the two wires there and if i am reading the Haynes manual correctly i should be able to measure 12v across these terminals. is that correct? Currently i am not getting that 12v, should the van be switched on or should it matter to get that voltage?

I also took a look at fuse 16 (which is the horn fuse according to the brick yard wiki) i have continuity on it so i know its not blown. So i am out of idea's now as to what the next step is. I have a new horn (same as old horn) that i attached as well and that made no difference so i think its the source of the 12v is the issue. Anyone have idea's where to go to next?

Thanks for any help

[Hacksawbob]

Hi the positive feed goes direct to the horn unit itself. The horn press button is the earth side switch that comes up the steering column there is a short wire that jumps the electric over the break away joint that is usually a good place to start looking , you just need to remove the two screws holding the plastic cowling on to see it. The horn is active only when the van is started. Yes it should have 12v to one of the 2 wires in the horn press. Also check the connection to the back of the horn unit you should have 12v there too.

[vroombang]

Thanks for that, will look at that cable when i get home. If its the same one i am thinking of then it was a bit loose in the steering column last night when i was poking about. If that earth cable is loose should i not still be getting 12v somewhere on the circuit though?

[Mocki]

Thanks for that, will look at that cable when i get home. If its the same one i am thinking of then it was a bit loose in the steering column last night when i was poking about. If that earth cable is loose should i not still be getting 12v somewhere on the circuit though?

no, only a negative, the horn has the positive and the negative is switched via the horn press

best way to test is to run a new temp +12v to the horn, and press the horn press - if no work, add a temp -12v to horn press contacts, firstly on steering col wire as described above - if no horn when press pushed contact -12v to other side of contact- if still not working the wire from the horn press to the horn is broken and need replacing to determine where the fault is.-

____________ -12v_________ switch___________horn _________+12v

[CovKid]

Try this fella.

Remove the steering wheel (remove nut and use the palms of your hands on the underside to knock the wheel free). Ensure that the spring contact which carries the current for the horn is actually making contact. Often, they bend or work loose and no longer make contact with the track they should be pressed against as the wheel rotates. Fixed more dead horns that way than for any other fault.

[vroombang]

Thanks to all who replied I got the horn working. Beep beep!the contacts inside the steering wheel were no connecting properly as they were misaligned so just wedged them back into place. Beep beep thanks all. Next mission......