65 Dart Horn Problems
- Thread starter zephyr
- Start date
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zephyr
Well-Known Member
Ok, I found brush on electrical tape at NAPA. Picking it up after work, and I'll take that damned ring off for the third time. If this doesn't work I'll threaten to leave it broken. But then I'll try something else.
mcodecuda
Senior Member
It could be shorting out somewhere on the column itself or the turn signal assembly.
Exactly. What’s the meter read with it back together. In unless it’s wobbly, I can’t see how it’s touching after repair. Also if it’s interference fit, would a thin o-ring work? IDK.
I suggested that on post #3 of his other thread. I don't know if anything got tested.
zephyr
Well-Known Member
I don't know the name of the little roller contact that makes contact with the horn contact ring but I'll just call it the roller. The roller when touching ground works; no short in the column. The caulking didn't work, horn grounds immediately when the wheel is tightened down. So I took it all apart and used brush on electrical tape. It insulated the contact ring fine, but wasn't thick enough to allow the contact ring to touch the roller so I took it all back apart. Now the only option I can think of is to find an original plastic gasket thingie or fabricate one out of a sheet of abs or the like.
Super-Cuda
MOPAR .. Move Over, Plymouth Approaching Rapidly!
Well, now that the paint on electric tape has eliminated the short, use a rubber o-ring as one of the other posters recommended to make up the gap. the roller is spring loaded to provide contact tension so you should have a little leeway with the o-ring thickness. This has been a difficult problem to correct !! Looking forward to seeing what works to fix it.
zephyr
Well-Known Member
Yes, the short is in the wheel. Apparently caulk doesn't insulate.
zephyr
Well-Known Member
It's fixed! I scraped off all the old liquid electrical tape and started over. I used actual electrical tape one the top side of the ring in the recessed area where it touches the retaining ring. I cut a piece of very thick plastic out of an old trash bin and used a forstner bit to cut the inner hole and a jigsaw to cut the outer circle making a ring to go under the contact ring. Many thanks to all who helped me here.
If that works you saved about 50 dollars...
1964-1974 Dodge Coronet Parts | 2822187 | 1964-74 Mopar A / B / C / E Body Horn Contact Set | Classic Industries
The original had some material trapped beneath the ring, probably just to hold it in place.
1964-1974 Dodge Coronet Parts | 2822187 | 1964-74 Mopar A / B / C / E Body Horn Contact Set | Classic Industries
The original had some material trapped beneath the ring, probably just to hold it in place.
zephyr
Well-Known Member
I can't believe I missed that. I would have saved myself so much time/work had I known I could buy that. Great find.
Jere Hodges
Active Member
That looks like it could be my problem - so how did you fix it?
Jere Hodges
Active Member
Removing the retaining ring isn't difficult. It's putting it back on that's a *****. I destroyed a spare OEM steering wheel trying. Waiting to figure out a technique to slightly stretch the ring before trying to reinstall it on my other steering wheel.
I've also got two of the Grant aftermarket wheels, both have the same constant horn problem. Reading through the thread to see what y'all figured out.
Jere Hodges
Active Member
I did buy this - but until I figure out how to put the retaining ring back on - I'm stuck.
Jere Hodges
Active Member
Because you can't replace the horn ring unless you remove the retaining ring first.
Jere Hodges
Active Member
OK, I looked at that problem - and on my new turn signal switch there was a washer that went between the bolt and the switch plastic part. I removed the washer, and ground down the top of the bolt,
AND IT WORKED. Now my horn works. At least with a Grant aftermarket steering wheel installed.
That means I've got as long as it takes to restore my OEM wheel to figure out how to put that retaining ring back on.
cudamark
Well-Known Member
A good pair of ring spreaders will usually do the job. Not the wimpy ones for small snap rings with the holes, this needs to be a heavy duty spreader that is commonly used when building transmissions.
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