TheSamba.com :: View topic - Horn Makes a bark when the sterring wheel is turned.

Sat May 03, 2008 6:30 pm

I just replaced the horn in my oval with an aftermarket unit and it works...but when I turn the wheel typically to the Left it seems to sound off a little...or makes a noise .. I know its probably grounding off somewhere to make this happn anyone else experience this or know where to look?

Sun May 04, 2008 6:20 am

Not sure how your horn "switch" set up works, but the following is what you need for an early 60s beetle.

Pull the tank (unless you can see it OK from the drivers side inner fender)and take a look at where the steering rod comes through the column. It's most likely really close (probably at the top) and shorting out when you turn the wheel. If your angle was off on the steering box this would make the rod short out. While you are in there, clean up your contacts on the column and the steering coupler.

You can also shim the column bracket (under the dash) to slightly change the angle and that may cure it as well.

Sun May 04, 2008 8:10 am

do you still have the stock horn brush that rides around the steering column in use? if you do, it could be that you are getting a ground there. on the original set, even if the column touched the tube it wouldn't matter. On later cars the setup was different though, and it might case a ground on the tube.

If I were a betting man, I would look at the sleeve around the steering column. just my 1.5 cents....

Sun May 04, 2008 8:33 am

well the car is a 55 and still has the brush on the column tube....I will check into that as a start.

Wed May 07, 2008 7:18 am

Check that the coupling to the steering box is not fouling the petrol tank .overlong bolts or wire on the coupling can cause the problem you describe.

Wed May 07, 2008 8:51 pm

pull the wire inside the steering column. Bet you money it has worn through the insulation and is shorting out. Had that problem on my 59 ghia

Thu May 08, 2008 7:42 am

See the "Horn Wiring Hell" article at my site thebugshop.org. The horns are switched on the ground side and I concur, there is probably an errant short somewhere.