Knack'd Horn, Rear Fogs and Idle

[jt]

Evening all,

Just failed my MOT on some rather minor points, one of which was the horn not working (been meaning to sort that but hoped they'd forget to check).

So, just taken my steering wheel off to address the problem, assuming it would be just a dodgy connection or something.

What I found was one red wire leading into the steering block, and a severed yellow wire!

Anyone know what's the best way to reconnect these? I can't see anything to connect the yellow wire up to, so I'm guessing I need to somehow get in behind the steering whee mounting?

(sorry for lengthy post!)

[colm_mcm]

One is 12v for the horn, the other is an earth wire.

remove the ignition cowl (3 screws underneath) and see where the yellow wire is connected, make sure it's connected and tape up the broken bit.

[jt]

Cheers for the advice.

I've taken the ignition cowl off and can't find any trace of yellow wire (and can't seem to see where the red one goes either).

What confuses me is that the horn randomly worked once, could it be that the yellow wire's not needed at all and it may be that the button's broken?

Looks like it's beyond me anyway, so think I'll have to take it to a repair shop.

[CJ]

The yellow wire is ground, it needs to be connected to a metal part of the steering wheel. look for a screw or spade connector on the inside of the wheel where you can attach it.

CJ

[jt]

Ah right-o, will give that a look, cheers.

[steelroe]

Neither of those wires is a positive. Basically what happens when you press the horn is you are grounding the negative end of the coil of the horn relay in the engine compartment. Once engaged the relay feeds power to the 2 horns (left and right).
I had to repair one today and the problem was grease between the clock spring and the brass plate on the back of the steering wheel.

One of your wires should the attached to the bottom of the BOSS and to one side of the switch. THe other wire should be grounded to the steering column some where. It is an aftermarket wheel so thak off the BOSS cover and see what is attached where. Touch the broken end of the wire off the large nut and press the button and see if it works.

[jt]

Brilliant, cheers. Have a temporary solution, just need to find a nut big enough so that it stays fixed permantently, or solder it on.

Thanks all for the help. Now to sort my idle speed and rear fog light...

[colm_mcm]

Good guide to rear fog fitting using the inner brake lights and OE switch here:

http://www.versionr.com/brakesfog/index.shtml

[steelroe]

This is a great mod, have done it several times to remove that vile looking fog fitted in the UK

[jt]

I like the look of that mod, but gonna have to keep it simple for now so I can get it past the MOT.

Had a good attempt at fixing it and seems to be more of a problem than I thought. I've replaced the whole fog light with a new one, which didn't work. So I've tested the connections with a volt-meter/multimeter and get no reading.

So I've pulled the switch out to have a look at that and can't see any problems with the connections there. I'm out of ideas, any help? Looks like auto-electrician time as need to sort it before Friday.


The other problem highlighted by the test was the exhaust idle speed, which I was advised was probably due a problem with my air filter. I've sorted the air filter but reckon the idle's probably still too high, anyone know of any tricks to lower it?

Thanks in advance!

[Bernard]

My car has the inner brake lights converted to fogs and came in from the UK with plenty of MOT receipts.
You should have no problem there.

[jt]

The problem is it'll take me too long to do the work, whereas fixing the normal fog should be nice and quick.

Think I may have sorted it though, seems that by looking at the switch It's decided to work again!

Fingers crossed anyway.


Edit:

Problems now all sorted. Idle is ticking over at about 800 revs and got a crap Halfords fog light attached and working.

Now the only problem is getting that earth wire to stay connected for the horn - tried soldering but it wouldn't take.