Horn Relay Testing

[ToddMcF2002]

Hi just making sure I'm reading this right so I don't torch anything. The Black wire with tracer is the switched ground wire to the horn switch correct? I have 12V constant on "B". So I should be able to simply ground out "G" and validate the relay and horns work? 69 GTX.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

yes

 

[ToddMcF2002]

It tested fine. I traced the black/trace wire to "L" on the firewall connector with a trace signal but it dies somewhere under the dash or in the column. The horn switch looks pretty solid so there is a break somewhere I'll have to find.

 

[ToddMcF2002]

In other words I should be able to jump the black wire on the steering wheel horn switch to ground to test the circuit correct?

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Yes, again.

 

[JimKueneman]

Is the strap from the column to the dash gone or broken?

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Is the strap from the column to the dash gone or broken?

Sorry strap? This car is new to me. I'm generally used to a turn signal harnesses and all those functions work. Is the horn not part of that harness or is there something separate?

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

To ensure the column is thoroughly grounded through its slip mounts, there should be a small black wire connected between the column tube and an upper mounting support stud. Not related to horn switching.

 

[ToddMcF2002]

To ensure the column is thoroughly grounded through its slip mounts, there should be a small black wire connected between the column tube and an upper mounting support stud. Not related to horn switching.

I know the car was apart so I'll check

 

[Nacho-RT74]

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Thanks for that. That's definitely not what the bottom of my column looks like. There is no ground strap or any hole that would suggest a missing strap. Someone ran a ground from the column mount to the dash shell that's it. Is this a B Body / 69 GTX column? I can drill a hole in the column and try a ground wire. Worth a shot.

 

[ToddMcF2002]

whelp.... I think I have a 65 Dart / Valiant steering column. Will the surprises never end. Think I can make this work at least temporarily?

 

[Nacho-RT74]

the picture I posted is from a 71. It can get some visual difference with your 69.

here the ground strap on diagram

Is just a plain and basic 16 gauge wire with two eyelet terminals to set a ground between bracket on body and column itself. It can be home made althought some ppl sells those around.

The ground strap is a reinforcement for the column ground but the colum itself still gets diff ground paths along the chassis assembly.

the bearing also gets a staple since 67 for a ground path

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Great info thanks. My column definitely isn't a 69 but the ground strap is simple enough. I do think I need to ensure this thing is intact because it is the source of continuity between the black wire and the harness/switch correct?

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Ok I’m confused - this is the horn contact on the switch isn’t it? It is connected ultimately to the horn relay that is switched ground so I really want expecting to find 12V on it. What do I have wrong?

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

You are seeing the 12volts on the other side of the relay primary winding, normal. What happens when you ground the contact?

 

[ToddMcF2002]

You are seeing the 12volts on the other side of the relay primary winding, normal. What happens when you ground the contact?

Well the test light is grounding the contact at the steering wheel basically. I was expecting the horn to go off just using that test light. It will only go off if I ground the relay terminal itself. I ran a trace signal through the wire at the relay and it goes to that switch post so I think the wiring is good. I'm pretty confused.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

If you ground the horn contact directly to ground, not through the test light, does the horn relay activate?

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Yes! So why didn’t the test light work? So I guess this contact ring is my problem after all. It might not be touching?

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

It does appear to be a contact to slip ring problem, should see a track on that slip ring where the contact wheel rides.