Horn Parts

[rawfj40]

Hi - New here so please go easy on me I have a 1973 FJ40 restomod that was restored years ago. It has the original steering wheel with the horn buttons inside the 3 spokes (not the one with a single center horn button). My horn is periodically malfunctioning and I am pretty confident it is likely a contact issue with with the related contact points in and behind the steering wheel i.e. a horn ring, horn brush and perhaps the horn contacts behind the individual horn buttons. Does anyone source these parts or is there a common solution? I have been calling all the usual suspects and searching the web but can't find anything. I've searched the topic on here, but seems the older wheel with the single center button is a more common subject.

 

[riderjgs]

Hi - New here so please go easy on me I have a 1973 FJ40 restomod that was restored years ago. It has the original steering wheel with the horn buttons inside the 3 spokes (not the one with a single center horn button). My horn is periodically malfunctioning and I am pretty confident it is likely a contact issue with with the related contact points in and behind the steering wheel i.e. a horn ring, horn brush and perhaps the horn contacts behind the individual horn buttons. Does anyone source these parts or is there a common solution? I have been calling all the usual suspects and searching the web but can't find anything. I've searched the topic on here, but seems the older wheel with the single center button is a more common subject.

I have the three "buttons" in my stash. From either a '73 or '74 wheel but should be the same. Yours for shipping cost if it'll help. DM me with shipping info and I'll get you a quote.

 

[pb4ugo]

Have you checked the horn relay? The steering wheel contacts are pretty basic. The horns buttons are attached to a simple sheet metal spring that contacts the metal frame of the wheel when depressed. The sweep is connected to the turn switch.

 

[rawfj40]

I was sort of thinking it was the contacts and not the relay since it seems to work periodically and sort of works when the wheel is in different positions. I am going to take the wheel apart today and play with the contacts and see if I can confirm my theory. Are there specific instructions on how to test the relay? I have a multi meter, just need a little direction on that procedure.

 

[pb4ugo]

I don't have the horns hooked up yet, but when I depress the buttons I hear the relay click, so I'm sure it works. I'd probably start by checking power to the relay , then to the wheel. Each button has a separate contact to ground. You'll have to pull the center pad and a screw to pull each cover. At the relay you'll have a hot gr, 1 to the wheel and 1 to the horns. The relay needs to be grounded.

 

[rawfj40]

I don't have the horns hooked up yet, but when I depress the buttons I hear the relay click, so I'm sure it works. I'd probably start by checking power to the relay , then to the wheel. Each button has a separate contact to ground. You'll have to pull the center pad and a screw to pull each cover. At the relay you'll have a hot gr, 1 to the wheel and 1 to the horns. The relay needs to be grounded.

Thanks much. I will check it out.

 

[Soberacho]

Also check for loose connections at the horn. That was the fix for me.

 

[rawfj40]

OK Horn crisis diverted. Before I started taking the whole steering wheel apart, I started by testing the relay. What was interesting was I could press the horn buttons and hear the relay clicking but no horn noise. This made me second guess my bad contacts in the steering wheel theory. Tested the horns by going direct to the battery and they were fine. Took off the relay to clean it up and possibly bench test it. Had resistance between the battery and the switch. Reconnected the relay but before bolting it down, I ran a ground from the relay to the battery. Guess what. Horn works every time. I was reminded by the FJ gods of the cardinal rule always check ground. When I restored the vehicle everything got painted or Line-x. So basically the whole truck is covered in plastic making grounds a challenge. Anyway, took a dremel to clean the mounting area under the relay and everything seems to work now. Interesting the relay was able to click but not a solid enough ground to fire the horns. Thanks to those who offered feedback.

 

[rawfj40]

I don't have the horns hooked up yet, but when I depress the buttons I hear the relay click, so I'm sure it works. I'd probably start by checking power to the relay , then to the wheel. Each button has a separate contact to ground. You'll have to pull the center pad and a screw to pull each cover. At the relay you'll have a hot gr, 1 to the wheel and 1 to the horns. The relay needs to be grounded.

Make sure you have a solid ground where the relay mounts to the body. Mine was clicking but the horns wouldn't work. Once I cleaned the area to get proper ground, everything started working again.