Beetle 1960 euro horn contact

[thefkclub]

Hi,
I have problem with my horn contact.
The horn works well , ground under the tank is connected , positive is connected.
But there is no contact from the steering wheel to the ground.
Any idea.......i think my steering wheel is not from 1960.

[vwsonmybrain]

[panicman]

Your column has been changed. 1960 should not have a ground wire emerging from the column at the steering wheel.
_________________
Plate of shrimp

[60ragtop]

I don't know if the Euro models are different
But the column probably has not been changed, just the extra ground wire thru the column for the horn to work with the later steering wheel and ring.

113415651D = 1960-61 Steering wheel
113415651E = 1962-63 Steering wheel
311415651A =1964-65 Steering wheel
311415651B =1966-70 Steering wheel
311415651D =1971 Steering wheel

113951531C = 1960-61 horn ring, Chrome
113951531D = 1962-63 horn ring, Chrome
113951**** = 1964-65 horn bar, Chrome
113951**** = 1966-67 horn ring, Chrome
311951531F = 1968-71 horn ring, Silver
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[grandpa pete]

_________________
63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[grandpa pete]

let me try here

maby we can get the wrong year to work ;

in your first photo there is an empty threaded hole ;

on my 66 there is a short screw with a plate that holds the grounded wire to the wheel ,
my concern would be the 66 system was a positive charged wheel looking for a ground and the 60 system might be already grounded...
.so
....if you hook up the wire with the short screw the horn MIGHT stay on and on and on............
_________________
63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[thefkclub]

the problem i have is that i think the steering wheel has no contact with the column.
the horn make sound only when i contact the turn signal with the brown wire.
With the column : no ground.

So the steering wheel is isolated from the column.

[60ragtop]

http://www.thebugshop.org/gotech.htm
scroll down to horns and read thru the horn systems.
you can make the steering wheel and horn ring you have work in your bug.
You probably just need to look at how it is wired at the steering coupler. 60-61 are wired one way and 62 up are wired another way to complete the ground system.
For a simple system they are a PITA
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[thefkclub]

[thefkclub]

So no contact at all.
even when i touch the column.
But there is a contact just after the column.
Maybe do i need the cancel turn signal to make it work ?

[thefkclub]

It works when the wire touch the yellow ring after the black washer on the column.

[panicman]

[60ragtop]

my 60 is not solid and I was tired of fighting the ongoing problem of the original circuit so I installed a later steering wheel and horn ring and wired it like a 62 with the ground wire thru the column.
IIRC you need the change how the ground is wired at the steering coupler
No more horn going off at 2 AM all by itself
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[thefkclub]

I feel myself stucked !!!
i don't see how i can make this ground happened.

[73sedan]

The PO installed an aftermarket horn on our 60. It sucks. I need to investigate what we're missing but it's a 1 year only part. My hopes are not high.

[60ragtop]

stock horns are the same, not a 2 year only part like the steering wheel and horn ring.
Go to the above mentioned site and steering wheel listed to see what you have and how to wire it.
really, a simple system but complex
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[73sedan]

Sorry, not the horn, I meant the horn ring and associated components. PO stuck a cheap Radio Shack horn button under the dash (at least the holes won't be visible).

The horn ring seems to be loose so I suspect the springs on the screws are missing.
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Miami Palmtto Bugs

[tb03830]

My 1964 is set up the same way and works fine. I can see your springs and think the issue is under the spring plate. I suspect the contact ring under the spring plate is corroded. So if you touch the ground the the shaft it will work but if you connect the wire to the plate it will not work. Take it apart and don't loose the plastic pieces or the springs and clean it. I bet it will work after that. Simple contact system.
_________________
"Sic Vic Pacem, Para bellum - Pray for peace, prepare for war."

1964 Convertible Bug - 1600cc SP engine with a stock H30/31 Carb and SVDA Distributor - Swing Arm Highway Flyer Tranny, Gene Berg's Temperature Dipstick, 2.5" drop spindles, 2" narrowed adjustable front end. Chromed OEM fan tower.

[thefkclub]

But when i make the contact beetween the wire and the steering wheel nothing happened

[tb03830]

How about touching the steering column. When you touch the center column with the steering wheel off with the wire coming from the whole in the middle it should ground and the horn should sound. If not you have a power or grounding issue.
_________________
"Sic Vic Pacem, Para bellum - Pray for peace, prepare for war."

1964 Convertible Bug - 1600cc SP engine with a stock H30/31 Carb and SVDA Distributor - Swing Arm Highway Flyer Tranny, Gene Berg's Temperature Dipstick, 2.5" drop spindles, 2" narrowed adjustable front end. Chromed OEM fan tower.