Horn Wire 39 Ford

Joe KCMO

Senior Member
The wire for the horn comes out at the bottom of the steering column into the switch box. I am having a problem with the horn contact being pushed up against the steering shaft and blowing the horn before the horn button is pushed when installing the switch housing. What prevents the horn wire button from being pushed up and shorting. Hopefully this explains my problem to someone. The question is what is the wire setup for the horn wire in the switch box? Am I missing a piece?
 
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Joe, I had that problem on my 39 pickup. It turned out to be steering box lube that had dried up with dirt in the switch box. One word of caution. If you take all the wires off the switch box make a diagram. I failed to do that and it was a frustrating job getting the wires back on the right terminals so the steering switch worked right. Pete
 
I believe you have a horn rod, with a contact on the bottom. That contact touches the center contact on the switch body. They are in contact all the time. when the horn button is depressed the contact on the bottom of the rod becomes grounded electrically and the horn sounds. If the horn sounds without depressing the horn button then either the wire from the bottom contact to the top of the rod is grounded, the insulator just above the contact is broken or missing or the horn button is not returning to the normal position. the rod can be rebuilt Brattons sells a nice kit.
 
It sounds like I do not have an insulator between the contact and the rod at the bottom. Can you describe it? Who or what is Brattons?
 
Hi Joe,
Brattons is a Model A supplier who I believe is is in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I just worked on my horn wire an hour ago. I bought a kit, I think from Joes Antique in Mass. There is a black plastic insulator on the bottom. It is about an inch longand fits up into the bottom of the horn rod. It keeps the contact from touching the rod. The horn wire goes thru it before you solder the contact on the end. If you mail me your street address I'll send you a copy of the instructions. It has a diagram.
Bruce/CT
VINOKURS@AOL.COM
 
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