horn earth problem

[Aussie John]

Does anyone know how the steering column is earthed? Is it just via the steering uj's to the rack? I have an intermittent fault where the horn doesn't work. It is definately lack of earth to the column Any clues guys?

[Steve_D]

How do you know it is the earth rather than loss of contact on the supply wire/slip ring?

Steve

[Aussie John]

Hi Steve, If I set the steering wheel up to a point where the horn doesn;t work then connect the wire from the horn button to the hand brake it works, if I short the wire to the column then it doesn't, cheers, John.

[rigga]

You have a deadspot on the horn ring, used to have to clean them up back in the day when originally fitted to cavaliers and the like, if the column had lost it's earth completely, the horn wouldn't work at all, as yours intermittently stops working, the earth itself is OK, the ring gets ccoated with crap over time, very fine wet and dry paper will clean it up.

[Aussie John]

I've had the wheel off twice and cleaned the slipring, the spring-loaded contact to the slipring and the wire attached to it are making good contact, it's definately the column sometimes not earthing, I am puzzled.

[rigga]

Tried dropping the column and seeing if where it mounts is the cause?

[Hedgehopper]

You have checked the earth wire from horn button to slip-ring but have you removed the upper cowling and checked the earth wire from slip-ring to column?

I don't see why the column itself would need any additional earth as it is bolted via the rack to the chassis.

[Aussie John]

If I run the wire from the horn button to the wheel or the column it doesn't work, if I run the wire to the handbrake its fine. It's an intermittent fault so its hard to pin down.

[steve-V8s]

Wouldn't have thought an electrical connection directly to the rack would be very reliable, it goes via two universal joints before getting there. I think from memory the column itself bolts to the GRP so no connection there. Don't know for certain but I would guess the bolt on the top of the transmission tunnel just by your left Knee would be closest. It is normally hidden by some trim. There is one either side and on mine with wires coming from both of them.

[Aussie John]

Is there a steel bearing in the column?