Re: '98 Accord horn - WEIRD electrical problem (simple solution? ground?)
 

The fact that your problem only occurs at certain positions of the wheel
suggests that it may not be the switch (though it's still possible).
Based on all other horn systems I've seen, there's a wiper that travels
with the steering wheel and makes contact with a fixed annular plate on the
column. It's supposed to provide a path from the horn button to the relay or
chassis. It may be a brass or bronze strip, a spring, or even a carbon
brush. You may just hear it as you turn the wheel. If it gets dirty, it may
no longer be making contact with the grounding plate.
Radio Shack sells a pretty good contact cleaner as a spray pack with a
selectable bristle brush or fine tube. Squirt some of that stuff behind the
steering wheel, between the wheel and the top of the column (probably hard
to get at) while you're turning the wheel from side to side. Use a lot of
it -- it evaporates and probably won't hurt anything except perhaps your
lungs. Leave your windows open.
If you can't find contact cleaner, silicone lube from your local
hardware store or auto parts place works reasonably well. Use less; it
doesn't evaporate.

Pete (fP)


<randyoo@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184166968.239101.257780@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
> On Jul 10, 12:36 am, rand...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>> I just can't understand why the ignition switch would have anything to
>> do with this problem, since the horn should always be hot!
>
> Well, I think I understand now. It looks like the horn switch gets its
> ground from the steering wheel, which is grounded via the steering
> shaft.
>
<snip>