58' horn wire in steering column

iamdonquixote · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:46 am Post subject: 58' horn wire in steering column

Just to confirm:

1) I turn the key on and I have 6v at the connection of the brush on the steering column.

2) I remove the horn button and I have 6v at the column. There is a black wire coming through the column.

3) Now, the black wire is supposed to be connected to ground right? If I touch the black wire to the column it doesn't sound the horn. My multimeter shows the black wire is not connected to ground.

4) It seems that there is a ground strap at the steering box , is that what I should check next?

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:22 am Post subject:

This may help.,

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602404

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
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iamdonquixote · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:25 am Post subject:

That thread indicates that the current flows through the black wire. Which, in my case means the paper in the collar is missing or something and that is transferring current through the shaft?

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:42 am Post subject:

On the brush column the wire UP the shaft is voltage UNTIL the horn contact is closed.

For pre 60 and Standard, tThe column tube merely insulates the shaft from ground. It has no direct relationship to the horn circuit unless the insualtion is breached.

At rest (non use) there is NO current flow and voltage/polarity is separated by the horn switch.

At rest.. It should have voltage... at the brush.. voltage at the wire which travels UP the shaft and ends at the horn contact.

The steering shaft should be grounded by way of a jumper around the steering coupler.

If you jumper the shaft wire (from the brush ring) to the main steering shaft the horn should sound as the path of current is completed, same as when the horn is pressed it completes the path of current flow.

Try to jumper the ground DIRECTLY at the horn itself.. If it sounds the problem lies in the circuits.
Test accordingly.
Its a very simple circuit.

You should be able to clip a test light on the SHAFT and touch the wire and it should light up.
Using a high amp test light will confirm circuit integrity.

If it doesn't there is a circuit problem.

(Its a different circuit for 60 up).

READ>
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wired/wired_12_00/wired_12_00.htm
!!! ^ NOTE:The biggest problem with that article for pre 60's is the misdirection of the term column.
It should read steering SHAFT..

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

h~moto · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:55 am Post subject:

Try this web site:

http://www.thebugshop.org/bsfqhorn.htm

Horn Wiring Hell (How to survive and understand it)

iamdonquixote · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 9:03 am Post subject:

*) If I ground the wire going to the commutator, the horn sounds.

*) If I remove the horn button and put a probe on the nut it reads 6v.

My question is: should the nut ( I guess column shaft ) be ground and the wire coming out of the nut have the current? Or the other way?

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 9:30 am Post subject:

At rest...
Nut for steering wheel (shaft) is ground.
Wire from brush/ring is voltage (UNTIL its grounded).

The SHAFT at no time should have voltage as it should be insulated by the ring and separated by the horn switch..
It also SHOULD be 100% grounded by ways of the steering box via the jumper across the coupler.

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

iamdonquixote · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 3:05 pm Post subject:

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 5:35 am Post subject:

iamdonquixote · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:55 pm Post subject:


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