I just bought my 72 cutlass and the horn is not connected. I've been on you tube and can't find my problem

Where does the wire connect?

Please help

 

Are you just trying to connect it or troubleshooting why it is not working? I don't see your turn signal canceling cam which is needed to complete the circuit. Please elaborate on your issue.

 

Well, that's helpful. Why would someone leave that out

 

They can get a little crunchy on these old cars. Likely broke and never got a replacement.

 

Thanks, found 1 on ebay with free shipping

 

Would that have anything to do with the backup lights? I have a manual transmission

 

Here are a couple threads on this site that may help.
Reverse light help - ClassicOldsmobile.com
1972 Cutlass reverse switch 4 speed - ClassicOldsmobile.com

 

Your first photo indicates that a number of pieces are missing. There is a spring that goes over the steering shaft, then the cancel cam, then the lock plate, the snap ring, and the cover plate with three retaining screws. See items 2 through 6 in this diagram. You will need a lock plate spring compressor tool to reinstall that snap ring.

 

This is where the part goes


Does anyone know what this part is called?

 

That is the switch for the key-in-the-ignition buzzer. If you don't want to hear that annoying buzzer, just leave it out.

 

It has nothing to do with the horn whatsoever?

 

If it did, I would have told you that.

 

I have power going up the steering column but no power to the button that the cancel cam glides over it to blow the horn.

 

That wire provides ground, not power. The power to the horn relay comes from the red wire on the threaded post. The black wire to the steering column is the ground side of the circuit. When you press the button, this wire is shorted to ground (the steering shaft), which energizes the coil in the relay and operates the horn. Simply jumper from the horn contact post to ground. The relay should at least click.

 

Joe or anyone, this wire was just sitting at the firewall taped up. Any clue to what it's supposed to be connected to?

 

That's an interesting mess you have there. The larger connector APPEARS to be the kickdown harness plug that is supposed to connect to the transmission. One of the wires has clearly been cut. The jumper that plugs into it appears to terminate in the connector for the brake differential pressure switch. Where does the wire into the larger connector go, and what color is it?

 

That's just one black wire that looks like it's heading towards the manual transmission

 

Electrical is not my strongest point on cars and I can't find anyone locally to look at it. I'm in Woodbridge VA which is about 30 miles south of DC

 

I'm in Loudoun Co, near Lovettsville. Wipe down that black wire. Is it really black with an orange stripe? That would be the trans kickdown wire for the AT. It was included in every harness no matter which trans was selected. The other wire that's been cut off should be green. Trace it again. The other end of the wire should be at the firewall connector.

 

it's just a solid black wire, no stripe. I disconnected it just to let you see it. I don't see a cut green wire

 

And the wire follows the power wire towards the starter

 

Well, in any case, that's the wire for the Transmission Controlled Spark sensor in the trans, and yes that part should be black. That wire originally ran to the TCS Thermal Vacuum Switch that was screwed into the intake. Someone has rewired and repurposed it for an unknown reason.

 

Are you a working mechanic?

 

Nope. Just a hobbyist with a full time day job.

 

Thanks for your input

 

Here is my history of the horn and back up lights. The car came without a cancel cam and retaining ring and no reverse lights. I put in a bad review on Google about my experience with the dealership that I purchased from. They contacted me immediately. They didn't return my calls prior. With an extensive conversation with the mechanic, they sent me a new reverse switch, cancel cam,retaining ring and horn relay. I have reverse lights, no horn. More conversation with the mechanic. The brand new horns that were in the car were no good and the turn signal switch where the brass spring loaded button in was shot. It did not have enough spring in it anymore to hit the cancel cam. Horns were easy to replace, turn signal switch was a lot of fun. It didn't line up to the old harness. I had to cut at the gap near center and shave the ends to get it to go in. After a lot of shaving it was in. Put everything back together and tooted my horn. What a wonderful sound. Then I started my car and put it in neutral to check my turn signals, the horn started honking. We are at a loss as of why. Any ideas?
Edit

 

Apparently the new turn signal switch was the issue. I fixed the old one with the bad spring and everything is AOK.