Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

What parts in the steering wheel make contact to make the horn blow?

I re wired from the steering wheel to the solenoid (Replaced) and now from solenoid to both horns.
Still working intermittently. It must be the contact in the steering wheel.

If you hold your horn down and turn the steering wheel does it cut in and out? Maybe dirty contacts. Sounds like you've replaced most everything else. Maybe you have a faulty relay.

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There is a very narrow gap at the outer edge of the grounded chrome portion of the ring that makes contact with a plate just under the chrome that makes a connection with the wire to relay via the contact plate pushing against the wire termination when everything is assembled.

Here is a diagram and electrical path. Red is grounded parts, blue is wire to relay and its connection. The illustration was done by Wes Boyer and was based on a 47 wheel but the electrical path thru 54 is identical. In 48 they changed the way the horn emblem removes and made it so the mounting screws holding the ring accessed from the front of wheel. That difference is shown in the small side view.

Thanks for the diagram, Howard. That helps. Most of the time , only the low tone blows (driver side). Sometimes, both, not consistent.

If the horns even try to blow every time then the problem is likely somewhere else. It could be the wire going to the hi tone horn or the horn itself needs attention or possibly the relay has an issue with the contact and that is not able to pass enough current for both horns to work properly..

Howard is right.

Here is a video explaining horn operations.

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That would probably an issue with the horn itself as all the button does is to complete the circuit to ground.

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I think this is a good point. Maybe try disconnecting your horns and testing to see how much power you're getting when the horn button is pressed. Also try putting power directly to your horn to see if it is working. A wire from your horn directly to your battery should do the trick.

Horns pull a lot of current so if you try the jumper from horn direct to the battery make sure to use the factory size wire. Factory used 12 ga for power from starter solenoid to relay and 14ga wire from relay to each horn so use that size for your jumper. Don't use the small gauge electronic type alligator clip test leads or the horn will be very anemic if it sounds at all.