Horn problem.

[arcturus]

Hi, having problem with horn not working.haven't checked everything yet but this connection looks problematic. what type of cable is used here so I can replace it? Connected meter to it and earth. no volts

[142 Guy]

Check your owner's manual, there is a wiring diagram for the car in the manual.

The horn button is a simple connect to ground switch. On the 1971 there is no horn relay. If you don't have 12 v at one of the terminals at the horn check the fuse. If you do have 12v at the horn, ground the other terminal to confirm that the horn works. If the wire has failed between the horn and the horn button some 16 gauge GXL or TXL should work fine for replacement. TXL has a thinner jacket so easier to install; but, not as resistant to mechanical abrasion.

[arcturus]

thanks. where does the cable from horn switch exit the steering column?

[142 Guy]

Unlike the Amazon which has a wire that enters the at the base of the steering column and twists as the steering wheel rotates, the 140 (at least mine) has a rotating contact assembly located at the top of the steering wheel.

I have an aftermarket steering wheel and hub so I don't know exactly what the OEM looks like. That said, when you remove the steering wheel you should see a round circular contact ring that is part of the fixed outer column - I think it is #22 in the diagram. In the stock set up #21 is spring loaded and when you press the horn the springs compress completing a connection to ground through #22. On my car the Moto Lita steering hub just has a little spring loaded contact that rotates and stays in contact with that stationary ring all the time with a wire to a separate horn button switch mounted on the actual steering wheel. So, significantly different set up.

Accessing the wire that connects the horn to that stationary ring on my car is easy. Just remove the upper and lower steering column covers and it is easy to spot the wire. I suggest start by removing the steering column upper and lower covers and you should be able to locate the wire heading up towards the very top of the steering column for the horn button sliding contact assembly. The service manual does make reference to an 'electrical cable' associated with the actual horn ring; but, noes not show it in the diagrams (or in the parts manual) so is useless in this particular case. I expect to find out what is happening with that red wire you are going to have to remove the steering wheel from the steering column to find out what is going on.

[142 Guy]

Unlike the Amazon which has a wire that enters at the base of the steering column and twists as the steering wheel rotates, the 140 (at least mine) has a rotating contact assembly located at the top of the steering wheel. The wire to the contact assembly does not move at all as the wheel is rotated.

I have an aftermarket steering wheel and hub so I don't know exactly what the OEM looks like. That said, when you remove the steering wheel you should see a round circular contact ring that is part of the fixed outer column - I think it is #22 in the diagram. In the stock set up #21 is spring loaded and when you press the horn ring I expect the springs compress completing a connection to ground through #22. On my car the Moto Lita steering hub just has a little spring loaded contact that rotates and stays in contact with that stationary ring all the time with a wire to a separate horn button switch mounted on the actual steering wheel. So, significantly different set up.

Accessing the wire that connects the horn to that stationary ring on my car is easy. Just remove the upper and lower steering column covers and it is easy to spot the wire. I suggest start by removing the steering column upper and lower covers and you should be able to locate the wire heading up towards the very top of the steering column for the fixed side of that contact assembly. The service manual does make reference to an 'electrical cable' associated with the actual horn ring; but, noes not show it in the diagrams (or in the parts manual) so is useless in this particular case. I expect to find out what is happening with that red wire on your car you are going to have to remove the steering wheel from the steering column to find out what happening on he other side.

[arcturus]

Hi a relay has been installed. If I want to bypass this which of the two wires do I .need to connect?. It would be a test of he relay. The lower tab i know is power to the relay.

[142 Guy]

The relay terminals should be numbered. 85 and 86 should be the coil and 30 and 87 would be the normally open contact. If this were factory installed 30 would get power and 87 would go to the horn; but, since this is obviously not OEM the installer gets to do whatever they want.

[arcturus]

sorted, almost. The small wire was tangled in the spring preventing the contact brush from making contact. New wire complete ordered from VP autoparts. Problem remaining is how to seat the round plastic cup in the square aperture! can't find a clear schematic.