Horn honks intermittently when turning steering wheel

[themechanic]

I recently swapped my Grant steering wheel to a 3 spoke Mopar wheel. I had replaced the turn signal cancel switch and horn contact ring when I rebuilt the steering column and drove the car with the Grant wheel a few times with no problems.

While I had things apart I got to thinking since the roller contact on my old turn signal cancel switch was flat on one side I assumed I needed to grease the new one and the new horn contact ring. That's when the problems began.

I noticed right away a loud click with each turn of the wheel. I assume this was the end of the spring on the back of the wheel contacting the turn signal cancel switch. Having driven Mopars in the 70s I don't recal the click even when the turn signal is not on and with each rotation of the wheel. I also noticed the horn would honk intermittently as the wheel would pass a certain point with each rotation.

I swapped back to the Grant wheel and still have the horn issue but the clicking is gone.

Is it possible the spring on the Mopar wheel was too long causing the clicking?

Did the grease cause the intermittent horn issue?

Thanks FBBO

 

[moparnation74]

No they do not "click".....

I never put grease on that part. Have you taken everything off? To inspect what you have? I would check to see if the cancel switch is ok.. As far as the horn part goes are they the correct ones for that wheel?

Pictures are very helpful......

 

[themechanic]

I'll take it apart again and take some photos. The spring and horn contact ring came on the wheel which is from Goodmark.

You may recall I had a gap issue after installing that wheel wheel. So, it may be a bad wheel. I could try buying another wheel to see if it solves all 3 problems, gap, clicking and horn honking. But, as you know, I'm working on a shoestring budget.

 

[moparnation74]

Just have to see what you have....not sure how the wheel is the problem. I am curious if it is the cam or the horn parts...

 

[themechanic]

Here's the thread where it all started to go downhill. There are some photos in the thread.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/is-this-steering-wheel-gap-normal.132581/

 

[themechanic]

Here's the wheel I took off.

 

[themechanic]

I used dielectric grease.

 

[moparnation74]

The base on the column side of the wheel appears in the pic to be not square? If that's the case that's the clicking and fitment problem...

 

[themechanic]

You are correct. How do I take it apart to inspect it?

 

[moparnation74]

You are correct. How do I take it apart to inspect it?

I would call who you got it from and get it replaced.....it was made that way and nothing you did....

 

[themechanic]

I would call who you got it from and get it replaced.....it was made that way and nothing you did....

Way too late for that since I bought the wheel years ago and just now installed it. I can't recall who I bought it from but it was an "open box" deal. I'm a sucker. I guess I'll buy a new wheel from a reputable dealer.

 

[themechanic]

It probably damaged my turn signal switch causing my horn issue with the Grant wheel. So, now I have to buy and replace that, too.

 

[moparnation74]

I doubt it damaged the switch...sucks, and is why it was an open box... someone muffed it up and returned it...

Check eBay because original good ones come up all the time...

 

[themechanic]

You read my mind. Doing that now.

 

[themechanic]

Way too late for that since I bought the wheel years ago and just now installed it. I can't recall who I bought it from but it was an "open box" deal. I'm a sucker. I guess I'll buy a new wheel from a reputable dealer.

I found my Ebay receipt. I bought this January 2014. It listed as new. So, I don't think it was an opned box item after all. I paid $156 to Partsoverload. I sent them a message asking if I could return it since it is defective. Their policy requires a management decision on returns this old. I called Goodmark who said their warranty is 1 year and they no longer carry that wheel so they couldn't replace it if they wanted.

So, I guess I'll wait and see what kind of seller Partsoverload is going to turn out to be. If he refuses to return for refund or exchange I'll take it apart and try to repair it. Beyond that I'll just sell it for parts or part it out.

 

[khryslerkid]

I never had one apart but it looks like the ring is pressed onto the hub and that holds the contact ring tight and flat. Maybe you could try useing something to tap the ring down. It might not be seated where it belongs. (Red arrows) This might have happened useing too long of a bolt in the steering wheel puller? Here's my '62.

 

[themechanic]

I need to wait and see if they will take it back or exchange it before I mess with it.

 

[beanhead]

Well I'm no help on this one, but it reminds me of this...Maybe it will cheer you up a little if nothing else!

 

[barryv]

the round copper ring is supposed to be insulated or horn will always bep

 

[khryslerkid]

the round copper ring is supposed to be insulated or horn will always bep

Easy enough to check with a ohms meter.