More light/hprn rod thoughts

[john charlton]

I thought I would investigate why the horn earth circuit fails . I removed the horn button and unsoldered the bottom end , this is a flat brass washer . The contact housing is a hard black phenolic nipple . The nipple stood the soldering iron heat if done quickly . Pull on the steering wheel end nipple when doing this and the wire pulls clear . I then tested for continuity between top and bottom contacts and found no contact . This on several so I reasoned it was the top end contact as the bottom end is a good soldered connection . The top end of the wire is tinned to stiffen it as it is inserted into the female end of the brass contact . It is then crimped not soldered . I did pull the wire out of the contact and could see the tinned( soldered ) end about 1/8" in length . This is the failure point the crimped union gets corrosion over the years and no longer earths the horn return wire . Another failure point or part failure is the the button underside can be very rusty preventing the copper plated spring getting a good ground . I replace the wire top to bottom . I discard the top brass contact and push the tinned wire end through and solder a flat brass washer on . I dress the contact and job done . If done quickly the nipple does not melt out of shape .

John in sunny afternoon Suffolk County England .