Quick question re constantly sounding horn

[iggi]

Hello,
Am waiting currently for RAC to come out to look at my van - had it a long time and this has never happened before, whenever I move the steering wheel at all the horn comes on - and stays on!
Any ideas what is wrong? Am I looking at a garage stay?

Thank you

[jasd1978]

Mine does it when I turn right. I just unplug it and plug it back in at MOT time.

[voodoopenguin]

I think you can replace the copper contact ring behind the wheel.

Paul

[Louey]

yep, sounds like the copper ring on the underside of the steering wheel has worn or is sticking.

[Jim San]

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/ ... l?___SID=U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

£18.24

easy enough to fit.

Mine had split as it had got so thin, you may be able to temp fix it but cheap enough fix

[kevtherev]

Reach under the van and disconnect it...

[what2do]

Reach under the van and disconnect it...

Don't need to get out of your seat, there's a spade connector by your knees.

[iggi]

Hello, wow thanks for so many replies! By the time I posted, he arrived not long after - took wheel off, said it was sticking when I turned, and cleaned it up. Have managed the 6 miles home without incident but I'm sure it will happen again longer term. At least now I know how to disconnect the bloody thing!
To those who disconnect the horn, don't you ever need to use it? Maybe it's just living in a city, there's always some ejjit pulling out in front of me!

Thank you all again

[CJH]

I rarely feel the need to use the horn to 'warn other drivers of my presence'. The times I use the horn are when I'm angry at another driver, say for cutting me up (I know, that's not what it's for ), and the horn in my van doesn't sound 'angry' - more of a comedy toot - so I tend not to use it!

But shouldn't it work for an MOT?

[kevtherev]

Yes I would need the horn eventually.
But I wouldn't have had to wait for the RAC.

I'd. Have disconnected it and fixed it at home.

Which your going to have to do anyway

[what2do]

I had a wheel where the brass ring was worn away to approx 20% of it's original circumference. Nw hat was left was 2 little tangs that were ground to a point like an arrow which meant the horn would only work at certain positions on the wheel. Perhaps you have a break in the ring which has folded over and making contact continuously. Please put up a pic when you get around to replacing. I bought an entire wheel for a tenner, I'd asked for close up pics before Gand to ensure the brass ring was a good one.

[iggi]

Ah Kevtherev I will freely admit to not having a scooby how the horn is wired up - but I learn a bit at a time (and usually thanks to the RAC!)

What2d that's very interesting and I suspect something similar happening to me. Good to know a new wheel doesn't have to cost the earth.

Thanks guys

[lloydy]

If I didn't know how to disconnect the horn, there is no way I would park and wait for the RAC. I would have just turned the stereo up and drove home!

[kit]

At least it was the RAC if you had called the AA they would have relayed you home or taken you to the main dealer

[Louey]

I have these installed so I think there would be a lot of peed off folk if I didn't know how to disconnect it



I think owning an old van should come with some prerequisites

- you should have a go understanding some basics of mechanics and 12v electrics, they would save you a lot of money and especially time and ball ache. We're not talking full on mechanical knowledge, but the basics.