Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:12:25 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Horn problem ( updated request for a vanagon tire jack)
In-Reply-To: <CAEwp_cSdbi3D7NC_F_UPom3HbZ=mS8m5Tgrbyi7EJZ2xMv2Sbg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
***I forgot to add below that I would pay for the Westy jack for my 88 Westy. Sorry about that.
I wanted to update the horn issue I had. I wasn't happy with the washer repair That was done although it did work. It didn't seem correct that I had to add a washer. This morning I dove into it further and came up with what I think was the problem and a way to correct it. First I removed the upper and lower steering wheel shaft black plastic covers. I noticed the the directional, high and low beam electrics along with the wiper control was on the shaft and is set on a slotted Allen screw. This screw holds the complete assembly to the shaft. I loosen the Allen screw and gently tapped the assembly maybe .010 lower. It was already pretty much set down to its extreme. Then removed the washer I installed, tightened down the steering wheel and now the horn works as it should work.
On a different note does anyone have a working 1988 vanagon tire jack they would want to part with? Mine will not jack the Westy up. The star drive head pops out of the track as I'm trying to raise the Westy. I might be able to get to the Westy's by the River event for a couple of hours but my Westy is behind the barn until I get fuel and coolant issues corrected.
Dennis Jowell
Scotch Hollow Farm
Newbury, Vermont
> On Jul 13, 2015, at 5:05 PM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dennis,
>
> At least you now have a short- and a long-term solution. Good work!
> And, boy, I'd hate to be driving around you with your horn going off
> randomly. Probably a good way to incite some road rage! :)
>
> Marc
>
>> On Mon, Jul 13, 2015 at 3:41 PM, Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Marc,
>> The horn would work even with the top padded section which includes the spring section if I am understanding your suggestion, removed and the pos and neg wires just hanging there in the air.
>> It would work just by moving the steering wheel left or right. I still can't understand why the tolerances have worn down that close to facilitate the steering wheel to make contact. 205,000 miles on the Westy.
>> Dennis
>>
>> Dennis Jowell
>> Scotch Hollow Farm
>> Newbury, Vermont
>>
>>
>>> On Jul 13, 2015, at 12:18 PM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> You shouldn't have to shim out the steering wheel. Is the spring in
>>> the horn button working properly, i.e., backing off from making
>>> contact when you're not pressing it down? Sounds kinda like the spring
>>> is weak, but it's been a little while since I tinkered with mine.
>>>
>>> Marc Perdue
>>>
>>>> On Mon, Jul 13, 2015 at 11:45 AM, Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> New information. After another cup off coffee I figured out that the horn
>>>> rim on the steering wheel grounds out on the directional signal plate. When
>>>> I tighten down the steering wheel nut the horn will blow, back off the nut
>>>> and all,is well. The brass horn ring is seated into the steering wheel. I
>>>> think I could solve the problem if I put a thin metal shim/washer to raise
>>>> the steering wheel up a slight bit? Any thoughts before I go forward?
>>>>
>>>>> On Monday, July 13, 2015, Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Here's what I found. Horn rim off steering wheel,nut off, keys are free so
>>>>> not to ground out the horn. Turned ignition on moved loose steering wheel
>>>>> up and down etc and the horn goes off as I move the steering wheel. Take
>>>>> steering wheel off move steering shaft with vise grips, no horn. Brass
>>>>> finger is at a 25-30 degree pitch up. I suppose to contact the brass ring,
>>>>> the finger shows some wear. Finger shows electrical continuity to shaft and
>>>>> directional signal silver colored plate.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Monday, July 13, 2015, Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@gmail.com
>>>>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','dennisjowell@gmail.com');>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Out I go to the Westy. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks for the
>>>>>> quick response.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Monday, July 13, 2015, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Check the ground connector spade terminal down near the floor and the
>>>>>>> ring/finger assembly on the back of the steering wheel and on the face of
>>>>>>> the turn signal assembly. That thin brass gets out of whack and will drive
>>>>>>> you crazy. Also make sure your keys aren't sticking into the crack below
>>>>>>> the steering wheel.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pull the wheel and turn the wheels with vice grips on the shaft. If it
>>>>>>> still blows it isn't in the steering area UNLESS the plastic collar at the
>>>>>>> top of the shaft is damaged allowing contact between the the shaft and the
>>>>>>> tube.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jim
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Jul 13, 2015, at 8:53 AM, Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Help! My horn is going off when I turn the steering wheel left or
>>>>>>> right when parked or driving.
>>>>>>>> I took the horn assembly apart, unconnected the +&- leads. While
>>>>>>> parked, ignition on, no horn rim, turned the steering wheel and the horn
>>>>>>> blows. Crazy! Drop,the steering column electrical harness and found no
>>>>>>> apparent problem there. Is there a fix for this?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dennis Jowell
>>>>>>>> Scotch Hollow Farm
>>>>>>>> Newbury, Vermont
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Dennis Jowell
>>>>>> Scotch Hollow Farm
>>>>>> Newbury, Vermont
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Dennis Jowell
>>>>> Scotch Hollow Farm
>>>>> Newbury, Vermont
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Dennis Jowell
>>>> Scotch Hollow Farm
>>>> Newbury, Vermont
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