Horn Switch connection issue

greenhorn · 2nd March 2010, 20:45

My horn has been starting to die out on me now and then. I first thought it was due to the contacts of the switch, but today I took the horn pad out, and the horn was not working , even when I made contact. I checked the connector to the base of the steering. and then I noticed that the horn started working when i moved the wheel.

I think its safe to assume that the contact at the base of the steering wheel ( google tells me its a horn contact ring?) is at fault.

Now whattodo? Replace it? will it be easy to find? or just press/lubricate will do? The car in question is an indica.

This is kind of a priority as a semi functional horn is quite risky on indian roads

vigsom · 2nd March 2010, 20:57

Remove the steering wheel and clean the contact ring(on the wheel ) and the contact pins(on the column);DO NOT LUBRICATE with anything except WD40/Zorrik.

greenhorn · 2nd March 2010, 21:01

the central bolt looks kinda intimidating. I've got WD 40 though. will ask my workshop folks to take care of it. The TASC has already washed hands saying that the whole thing needs to be replaced :|

CrackedHead · 2nd March 2010, 21:02

Did you check the actual connection at the horn (where the -ve and +ve wires clip onto the horn)? I have had problems once because of a bad connection there.

vigsom · 2nd March 2010, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

the central bolt looks kinda intimidating. I've got WD 40 though. will ask my workshop folks to take care of it. The TASC has already washed hands saying that the whole thing needs to be replaced :|

I suspect the contact pins to be the culprit;and the center nut can be removed without too much fuss.I have done this umpteen times.once the nut is removed,you need to bang the steering wheel a few times on all sides before pulling it out

greenhorn · 2nd March 2010, 22:50

crackedhead, i have two horns , both have the same problem

Jaggu · 2nd March 2010, 22:58

Remove steering, clean the ring and terminals, check if they are set right also and fix back. If the terminal got bent by cleaning cloth and is not sitting proper, this can happen, from experience

Otto · 3rd March 2010, 23:34

It could also be due to a faulty relay. You horn switch is not normally connected to the horns directly but through a relay.
On the indica - I know this is a known problem.
The contact ring and stuff is easy to remove IMHO, but rather difficult to put back!
a local electrician could help and replacing the whole thing would be rather costly.
one the reasons I see so many TATA vehicles with "add-on" horn switches somewhere drilled and mounted on the dash.

greenhorn · 4th March 2010, 12:30

thanks otto, thought that this was a fault of the ring because it would not work at certain positions. Will try swapping out the relay anyway. getting to the fusebox in the indica is a pain :(

Otto · 4th March 2010, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

thanks otto, thought that this was a fault of the ring because it would not work at certain positions. Will try swapping out the relay anyway. getting to the fusebox in the indica is a pain :(

it just might be and probably is, but unless you're sure that the horn activates only at one point, checking the relay is an easier option, before you go ahead and tear apart your steering wheel.

good luck though, knowing that is the contact ring that's at fault for sure, you're seriously going to need it.

IndigoXLGrandDi · 10th March 2017, 19:54

I am facing similar problem in our Xylo E8 ABS 2009.

The Black Plastic Part that sits between Steering Wheel and Aluminum Ring (means the Black Plastic Part to which the Aluminum Ring is stuck) got bent 4-5 years ago due to using Puller to remove Steering Wheel at an Wheel Alignment Centre.
Since then the Horn use to Blow at certain angles of Steering Wheel. Sometimes it might Blow when the Steering Wheel is Straight, sometimes when rotated slightly towards left or right.

I used it like that till date as I didn't want to replace the Whole Steering Wheel.
But now due to Very Intelligent People wandering on road, I am finding it difficult to use the Horn in this condition.

I have posted the Photos so as to identify the problem.

Horn Switch connection issue-img_20170307_135059.jpg

This is Bottom View of Steering Wheel before removing the Black Plastic Part. The Part is below the Aluminum Ring in this picture.

Horn Switch connection issue-img_20170307_153740.jpg

After removing these Screws highlighted in Green Boxes, the Black Plastic Part seperates from Steering Wheel.

Horn Switch connection issue-img_20170307_135309.jpg

After removing the Black Plastic Part from Steering Wheel.

Horn Switch connection issue-img_20170307_135156.jpg

Here (highlighted with Red Boxes) the Screws fix this part to the Steering Wheel, and the part highlighted with Green Box, the Negative Wire of Horn fits here.

Horn Switch connection issue-img_20170307_135208.jpg

Horn Switch connection issue-img_20170307_135218.jpg

Horn Switch connection issue-img_20170307_135234.jpg

I have searched in local market, but I am unable to source the Black Part.

I don't want to replace complete steering wheel. I just want that Black Plastic. I am ready to buy even if the Aluminum Ring comes with that Black Plastic Part.
Bhpians Please Help.

EDIT: -
As the Black Plastic Part bent unevenly, the contact rod, which touches this Aluminum Ring does not make contact all along the Aluminum Ring and hence the Horn does not blow at every angle of Steering Wheel Movement.

Sankar · 10th March 2017, 20:46

The plastic part does it have a part number printed on it? If yes depending on your relation with the service center might be able to source the child part itself. If it doesn't have part number then you will have to look at scrap yard for a steering wheel.

How much does a new steering wheel cost?

You should get the horn fixed even if it means buying a new steering wheel, it could be a lifesaver on our roads!

Jaggu · 10th March 2017, 21:08

Mahindra steering wheels are inexpensive, if not try the local scrap shops for the part. Finding such a child part might be difficult.

Another option try if you can get put some plastic washers to level the piece alignment.

2nd March 2010, 20:45	#1
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	Horn Switch connection issue My horn has been starting to die out on me now and then. I first thought it was due to the contacts of the switch, but today I took the horn pad out, and the horn was not working , even when I made contact. I checked the connector to the base of the steering. and then I noticed that the horn started working when i moved the wheel. I think its safe to assume that the contact at the base of the steering wheel ( google tells me its a horn contact ring?) is at fault. Now whattodo? Replace it? will it be easy to find? or just press/lubricate will do? The car in question is an indica. This is kind of a priority as a semi functional horn is quite risky on indian roads Last edited by greenhorn : 2nd March 2010 at 20:47.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2010, 20:57	#2
vigsom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NSEW Posts: 3,768 Thanked: 25,496 Times	Remove the steering wheel and clean the contact ring(on the wheel ) and the contact pins(on the column);DO NOT LUBRICATE with anything except WD40/Zorrik.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2010, 21:01	#3
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	the central bolt looks kinda intimidating. I've got WD 40 though. will ask my workshop folks to take care of it. The TASC has already washed hands saying that the whole thing needs to be replaced :\|
	() Thanks

2nd March 2010, 21:02	#4
CrackedHead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 585 Thanked: 81 Times	Did you check the actual connection at the horn (where the -ve and +ve wires clip onto the horn)? I have had problems once because of a bad connection there.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2010, 22:50	#6
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	crackedhead, i have two horns , both have the same problem
	() Thanks

2nd March 2010, 22:58	#7
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Remove steering, clean the ring and terminals, check if they are set right also and fix back. If the terminal got bent by cleaning cloth and is not sitting proper, this can happen, from experience
	() Thanks

3rd March 2010, 23:34	#8
Otto BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 82 Thanked: 101 Times	It could also be due to a faulty relay. You horn switch is not normally connected to the horns directly but through a relay. On the indica - I know this is a known problem. The contact ring and stuff is easy to remove IMHO, but rather difficult to put back! a local electrician could help and replacing the whole thing would be rather costly. one the reasons I see so many TATA vehicles with "add-on" horn switches somewhere drilled and mounted on the dash.
	() Thanks

4th March 2010, 12:30	#9
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	thanks otto, thought that this was a fault of the ring because it would not work at certain positions. Will try swapping out the relay anyway. getting to the fusebox in the indica is a pain :(
	() Thanks

10th March 2017, 19:54	#11
IndigoXLGrandDi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Solapur (MH-13) Posts: 1,784 Thanked: 570 Times	Re: Horn Switch connection issue I am facing similar problem in our Xylo E8 ABS 2009. The Black Plastic Part that sits between Steering Wheel and Aluminum Ring (means the Black Plastic Part to which the Aluminum Ring is stuck) got bent 4-5 years ago due to using Puller to remove Steering Wheel at an Wheel Alignment Centre. Since then the Horn use to Blow at certain angles of Steering Wheel. Sometimes it might Blow when the Steering Wheel is Straight, sometimes when rotated slightly towards left or right. I used it like that till date as I didn't want to replace the Whole Steering Wheel. But now due to Very Intelligent People wandering on road, I am finding it difficult to use the Horn in this condition. I have posted the Photos so as to identify the problem. This is Bottom View of Steering Wheel before removing the Black Plastic Part. The Part is below the Aluminum Ring in this picture. After removing these Screws highlighted in Green Boxes, the Black Plastic Part seperates from Steering Wheel. After removing the Black Plastic Part from Steering Wheel. Here (highlighted with Red Boxes) the Screws fix this part to the Steering Wheel, and the part highlighted with Green Box, the Negative Wire of Horn fits here. I have searched in local market, but I am unable to source the Black Part. I don't want to replace complete steering wheel. I just want that Black Plastic. I am ready to buy even if the Aluminum Ring comes with that Black Plastic Part. Bhpians Please Help. EDIT: - As the Black Plastic Part bent unevenly, the contact rod, which touches this Aluminum Ring does not make contact all along the Aluminum Ring and hence the Horn does not blow at every angle of Steering Wheel Movement. Last edited by IndigoXLGrandDi : 10th March 2017 at 19:57. Reason: As Above.
	() Thanks

10th March 2017, 20:46	#12
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,054 Times	Re: Horn Switch connection issue The plastic part does it have a part number printed on it? If yes depending on your relation with the service center might be able to source the child part itself. If it doesn't have part number then you will have to look at scrap yard for a steering wheel. How much does a new steering wheel cost? You should get the horn fixed even if it means buying a new steering wheel, it could be a lifesaver on our roads!
	() Thanks

10th March 2017, 21:08	#13
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Re: Horn Switch connection issue Mahindra steering wheels are inexpensive, if not try the local scrap shops for the part. Finding such a child part might be difficult. Another option try if you can get put some plastic washers to level the piece alignment.
	() Thanks