Horn goes off when I turn steering wheel...

[frogmella85]

Hello everyone and thanks for reading this...

I have mega paranoia about this problem (I've seen burnt out campers due to electrical faults)...

So, about a week ago I started up the van and began to drive it. When I turned the steering wheel the horn would go off... Now. Every time I turn the wheel it ends up hooting... I'm worried I have an electrical problem which could result in a fire..

I have looked in the horn housing on the steering wheel and the wires seem to be connected fine...

Any advice/help would be greatly received.

Thanks

[CovKid]

The horn is constantly live and earths out to make a connection. It follows then that its shorting somewhere on the column at the top or the bottom. A common cause of problems is the horn contact ring (need steering wheel off to check it) but somewhere in the column the wire is touching earth when you turn the wheel. Its not a hazard other than the fact the horn goes off.

[frogmella85]

Thank you so much! I will have a look at that . Phew!

[The Bishop]

I don't have a wiring diagram with me but if you disconnect the live that should stop it (of course it's only temporary as you will need a working horn for the MOT. As COV says somewhere it is touching so your going to have to take it apart or run a new wire through the column.

[Dazco]

I had a very similar prob earlier this year while driving on the car park at lizard point
One or three people were giving us the bad eye , I had to pull the centre horn push off sharpish and pull the wires off , turned out to be the horn contact spring thingy under the steering wheel , it was slightly worn and bent at a funny angle and was shorting out as I turned the wheel .

[ZsZ]

+1 on the contact ring and contact spring
ask Jedthespread to get some of these imported from gowesty :

http://youtu.be/Cv0qeQTuRyE

[syncroandy]

+1 on the contact ring and contact spring
ask Jedthespread to get some of these imported from gowesty

..or just go and get a fresh slip-ring assembly from your local VW dealer, they are still available believe it or not.

[CovKid]

As are many parts and sometimes MUCH cheaper than the others.

[frogmella85]

Thanks so much for your comments guys!
After looking over it, we are pretty sure that it is the contact spring uder the steering wheel.

Going to get it sorted this week as we keep getting the evil stares when we random hoot at people haha.

By the way, how hard is getting the steering wheel off to access this said spring? Can I attempt it myself or do we need a "professional"?


Thanks everyone.

[CovKid]

Undo the nut then using your palms, give the wheel a thump from underneath a few times. Should shift. Watch you don't knock your teeth out with the wheel though obviously!

[Dazco]

If you havnt already taken your steering wheel off, mark the wheel and the splined shaft with a dab of tipex or summet similar so you can pop it back in the same place .

[marlinowner]

Don't take the nut right off before loosening the wheel, then there's no danger of a split lip or broken nose.

[CovKid]

he said, frantically ringing up his dentist.

[v-lux]

ask Jedthespread to get some of these imported from gowesty :

Funny you should mention that, should have some of those arriving this week at some point.

No springs with the horn ring kit, but should save some money over buying the entire assembly from the main dealers.
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... parent_id=

UK price £19.99 + shipping