Horn Problems

[HaidenM]

I’ve recently been having trouble with the horn on my 70 bug. A while back I replaced the blinker and rewired. It’s been about 6 months since then and no problems. But recently I noticed that my car is honking when I turn the steering wheel to the right. They aren’t full honks (not yet at least), but enough to cause people to stare. This only happens when I turn it to the far right and not the left. It has to be something grounding out, but I’m not sure where to even start. I was thinking maybe something is grounding out because it is bent possibly, which would make sense why it is only when I turn right. I’m pretty sure the problem is not deep within the car, and it’s only a superficial thing just by taking some things apart but I am not sure. I haven’t had the time to investigate, but does anyone have an idea of what it might be?

[baldessariclan]

In 1970 and late 1960's models, the steering wheel shaft (and attached steering wheel hub) are normally "hot" in the horn circuit. The horn button serves as the "switch", connecting that hot steering wheel hub to the brown ground wire that runs through the middle of the steering wheel shaft, and causing the horn to honk. However, when you're turning the steering wheel, if that hot hub comes into contact with anything else that's grounded, the horn will honk as well.

So I would advise you check to see if, when turning your steering wheel, the underside of the steering wheel hub comes into contact with the steering column / ignition housing, touches one of the screw heads that holds down the turn signal switch, or other similar potential grounding paths.
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[OldSchoolVW's]

You might want to view these horn troubleshooting videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUgHNfAY-34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_WjWG-F0es

Be careful once you get in past the horn ring. To get to the bearing that creates the ground you'd need to pull the turn signal switch out of the column. Mine must have been the original. The plastic was so old and brittle that parts of it broke and I had to replace it. Don't forget to check the ground connection down by the steering box as well. If that ground wire has frayed it may be making a weak ground when you turn the wheel causing the horn to sound.
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Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback