Horn wire from steering column

Old Jan 13, 2014 | 02:49 PM
  #1  
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From: Boxford, MA
Horn wire from steering column

Hi. I have purchased a 1970 Cutlass with chopped up electrical and am working towards getting it road ready.

I have removed the instruments and dash.

Currently, there is no horn relay in the car. The horns are there but no relay. I can't find the wire from the horn button on the wheel. The wheel itself is a 4 spoke sport wheel and I still need to purchase the spring/pin/clip that holds the rocket emblem center cap onto it. However, my problem is I can't figure out which wire leaves the steering column to control the horn. I do have a service manual but I still can't seem to find the darn wire. I've been continuity testing from the 'button hole' to everything I can find but to no avail.

Any ideas? Pic attached shows the mess I have...
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Old Jan 13, 2014 | 04:03 PM
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Omg! Do you have any pictures of the firewall?
Old Jan 13, 2014 | 04:18 PM
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Pics from both sides of brake booster attached. Let me know if you want something in particular and I will try to get it.

Thanks in advance.
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Old Jan 13, 2014 | 04:59 PM
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Look for the black wire.

Good luck.

- Eric
Old Jan 13, 2014 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by MDchanic
Look for the black wire.

Good luck.

- Eric
I am hoping to verify the wire at the steering column and then chase it through the firewall. Problem is I dont know where it comes out of the column. I see two harnesses but cannot verify continuity to the horn button. Perhaps I need to pull the column apart.
Old Jan 13, 2014 | 06:03 PM
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Should be right in the harmonica connector.

- Eric
Old Jan 16, 2014 | 01:57 PM
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Just to close this out and perhaps make someone else's life easier...

The horn switch feeds through terminal 'G' on the harmonica connector. Initially I couldn't verify continuity so I pulled the lock plate off and discovered dirt and corrosion on the back of the plastic ring (canceling cam?) and on the copper contact on the column.

This car has been sitting a lot for the last three years. I bet if it was used, and the wheel was turning all the time, this would not have happened. Problem solved with some scotch brite.

Thanks for all the input.
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Old Jan 16, 2014 | 06:09 PM
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Pretty sure the horn relay on a 70 is on the firewall, above and to the right of the distributor. Assuming the harness isn't hacked up to much there should be a green wire (horn) a black wire (provides a ground from the horn button) and a pink with black tracer ( if I remember correctly this is a signal wire from the ignition lock cylinder, provides that annoying buzzer when the key is in the ignition and the door is open) and several large wires with fusible links that provide power to the fuse box, alternator, blower relay (if the car had A/C) etc. Hope that helps.
Old Jan 16, 2014 | 07:33 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by jcmoretti
... I pulled the lock plate off and discovered dirt and corrosion on the back of the plastic ring (canceling cam?) and on the copper contact on the column.
Interesting. I've never had a problem with that part before, and I wouldn't have suggested checking that part.

Thanks for letting us all know what the problem was.

- Eric
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