Horn contact ring access

[AdamKeelan]

Hello everybody - apologies if this is an eyeball rolling question but I'm just trying to fix the horn on my 82 air cooled t25 and I'd reallly appreciate some (probably quick) advice.

I've tested the 12V is reaching the horn itself underneath, and the horn button works just fine in itself (by removing and checking it will conduct when pressed.). The horn earth on the wheel is fine but  I don't seem to have continuity between the horn  under the chassis extending to the steering wheel - so I'd like to get at the horn contact ring before assuming the horn is broken.

My simple and stupid question is this - do I have to remove the steering wheel to clean/check the contact ring, and perhaps apart from the bottom shroud, is that all I would have to do? (Bizarrely none of the manuals seem to show  this on a diagram but I may have missed something!)

Very grateful for any answers for this dimwit. Many thanks!

[Oldiebut goodie]

Check the earth wire at the bottom of the column - it can be pulled of by clumsy feet or corrode. Easy to see the wire.

[AdamKeelan]

thanks - I've checked that and all looks ok

[AdamKeelan]

Check the earth wire at the bottom of the column - it can be pulled of by clumsy feet or corrode. Easy to see the wire.

I looked at this thank you - it's fine. But horn still not working. Is it time to take the steering wheel off to get at the connector ring - if that's what is needed?

 

[Mocki]

Make sure the steering is straight , 24mm socket on a 6” extension , take the wheel off and the horn ring and its spring contact are right there , and good clean and possibly a reshape of the spring contact may well be all you need , no need to remove the cowlings

[maxstu]

Has it simply stopped working?

Testing;
if you record 12 volts in wiring by horn but no sound, then remove the horn, clean it up and test it directly via your starter battery with two wires. Accumulated road dirt often reduces it's abilities.

If it works then issue is wiring up to steering wheel.

Remove steering wheel and check horn ring.
It should look the same as the one on right hand side..

[AdamKeelan]

Make sure the steering is straight , 24mm socket on a 6” extension , take the wheel off and the horn ring and its spring contact are right there , and good clean and possibly a reshape of the spring contact may well be all you need , no need to remove the cowlings

Super useful thank you - will give it a go. I'm now convinced it's the contact ring - the 12V on the horn button is intermittent depending on where the steering wheel is so off to the shops! Cheers!
 

[AdamKeelan]

Has it simply stopped working?

Testing;
if you record 12 volts in wiring by horn but no sound, then remove the horn, clean it up and test it directly via your starter battery with two wires. Accumulated road dirt often reduces it's abilities.

If it works then issue is wiring up to steering wheel.

Remove steering wheel and check horn ring.
It should look the same as the one on right hand side..

Thank You - and especially for the photo. Lots of testing this morning - horn works with a direct short to earth so horn ok. Rotating steering wheel has shown I get intermittent 12V so I'm pretty sure now it's the contact ring. Thank you!
 

[AdamKeelan]

Quick update - horn now sorted and blasting up a storm on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks for all your help!