Horn Button ?'s

[StevoandaRedK5]

This is regarding my '73 K5, column-shift/non-tilt. This truck has never had a functioning horn button in the steering wheel. my dad just mounted a push-button switch to the dash to pass inspection. I now have a Grant GT wheel on there, but since the stock configuration is mechanical and the Grant is electrical...what are my options?

I thought it might be possible to wire up the button to the stock contact somehow to complete the circuit....or use some type of wireless module that i'd have to occasionally change the battery in? If all else fails I can wire it up on the dash like before, but I was hoping the CK5 ThinkTank could help me out haha...hopefully it's some simple solution i'm overlooking.

 

[lectric80]

The way the horn system works is through ground switching. The relay has power at all times, but only completes the circuit when the horn button in the steering wheel is pressed, this provides the ground to the relay.

I want to say that Napa or one of the other parts stores will have the small 'button' connector that goes behind the horn button. But, I can't remember for sure if they do carry it. If not, the new Grant should have a spot to connect the wire for the horn ground. They are pretty easy to setup, once you understand that they are ground switched setups, not hot switched like most things in your vehicle. When you press the horn button you are providing the ground to the horn relay, which then causes the relay to switch on.

It should be a simple matter of getting the wire that is connected to the current horn button up to the contact for the new steering wheel's horn button, the ground is provided by the column itself when the button is pressed. However, it won't be easy to fish the wire up through the column, but it can be done with a piece of bailing wire fed down through the column. On a non-tilt column it will be as easy as it can get, as you don't have quite as much stuff in the way.

Edit: if you can get a shot of the grants horn setup, I can tell you exactly how to do it in your case.

 

[Mike D]

I have an 81 Chev K20. When I replaced the factory steering wheel with a Grant Steering wheel I had nothing but problems with the Grant horn button assembly. Usually in the middle of the night the center horn button would pop off allowing the horn to blow. After the fourth time I went to Radio Shack and purchased a small ( micro ? ) momentary contact switch. I drilled and mounted the small push switch to the round Grant button and glued the button to the steering wheel. When I push the little red button it grounds the relay and blows rthe horn. It has worked perfectly for the past 10 years.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

i'll see if i can get a good enough picture of the button and such, my normal camera has died and i don't know if the cell will take any clear enough.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Bringing this back up, I forgot about it since I started some other stuff since then.

Here's the pictures I have:

Let me know if there is something more specific you need pictures of.

 

[lectric80]

Ok, the way that is setup is to have a single wire that runs to the port on the side, this wire should run to a good ground. The port in the middle is the wire that should come from your existing horn button to the horn relay. The way that that Grant is setup requires you to fish two wires through the column, then connect them with insulated spade terminals.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

so I'll just have to leave enough slack for when the wheel is turned? If so I can do that this morning haha.

 

[lectric80]

Possibly, but those two connectors should rotate allowing the cables to require no slack. If they require slack then it is a very good possibility that you will eventually have trouble with the wires wearing out early.

 

[Mike D]

I don't think you understand the mechanics of the factory horn button. Below the steering wheel but above the turn signal switch is a plastic plate with a flat copper ring attached. This connects to a wire in the steering column that goes to the horn relay. When the ring is grounded the horn blows. If it doesn't, check for continuity between the ring and the wire harness at the base of the steering wheel. It might be easier to note the wire colors used for the turn signal wires then match them up at the steering column base, any other wires could go for the horn. Once you have isolated the wire in the harness check the horn relay by grounding this connection. The horn should work. If it doesn't connect it to the wires your father installed.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

I don't think you understand the mechanics of the factory horn button. Below the steering wheel but above the turn signal switch is a plastic plate with a flat copper ring attached. This connects to a wire in the steering column that goes to the horn relay. When the ring is grounded the horn blows. If it doesn't, check for continuity between the ring and the wire harness at the base of the steering wheel. It might be easier to note the wire colors used for the turn signal wires then match them up at the steering column base, any other wires could go for the horn. Once you have isolated the wire in the harness check the horn relay by grounding this connection. The horn should work. If it doesn't connect it to the wires your father installed.

I've been into this steering column and others enough times, I know how the factory one works. However, this is an aftermarket steering wheel with a different style button. This truck has never had the factory wheel on it while in my or my father's possession. I know that all the connections and relays work b/c this is a brand new wiring harness, and because I dropped something off in the horn contact hole and had to pull the power wire/fuse(can't remember which) to stop the horns blowing. It works.

Anyway, thanks lectric. This may be my project today if the rain isn't too bad (no covered workspace haha)