Intermittent horn

[Akiri]

Recently I have experienced the horn on my 1968 V8 - 250 sometimes sounds for a short blast when turning the steering wheel. Very annoying and embarrassing in heavy traffic! I am told it is necessary to remove the steering column to fix this. Is there an easier way?

[John-B]

I've been looking for a post on the archive forum as I'm sure it was mentioned, but I can't find it.

However, I think twisted and bare wires causing the horn to sound does mean that you have to loosen the bottom end of the steering column to remove the horn and indicator controls and replace a worn cable. I don't believe that you have to remove the whole steering column. Be careful where the cables emerge at the bottom end.

[Vortex O'Plinth]

..... I think twisted and bare wires causing the horn to sound does mean that you have to loosen the bottom end of the steering column to remove the horn and indicator controls and replace a worn cable.....

I think the problem and solution you refer to John relates to the SP 250 with the steering column stator tube. The V8-250 uses recirculating ball steering with no stator tube.

[Akiri]

Thank you John and Nick for your prompt replies.
I think you are right Nick, John's advice covers the SP 250.
Maybe the steering column has to come out.
Regards
Alan

[Soundmike]

It will be due to the wiring / rotor / spring /contact, items 37-41 on page I.11 Fig.6 of the service manual. It is located in the cabin, lower end of the upper steering column. Follow the purple wire! You may need to remove the upper column to investigate.

[Ian Slade]

As on all cars of the era there are grub screws behind the wheel unless the centre pops out allowing access to the wheel securing device , loosen them and the centre comes out, depending on make and model there will be enough length on the wires to access the connections, depending on the end termination you can extract the wiring loom to check for damage, assuming you haven't found it when removing the wheel centre. Memory recalls that you need to completely undo the nut for the in/out adjustment to remove the steering wheel and there are 2 brass tracks on the inside end of the wheel for the horn which pick up 2 wipers.

[Chris S]

Hi All, the reason for the horn sounding when the steering wheel is turned is a worn out lower bush in the upper steering column. This causes the inner column to touch the outer column and earths the horn circuit. The complete column has to be removed, which is the bad news, but the bushes (replace both top & bottom ) are cheap, which is the good news.
Hope this helps
Chris S

[Akiri]

Thanks to all for your useful advice. Looks like the column has to come out.
Akiri