Steering wheel (Horn) internals, what's missing?

[Shark_13]

'74 GMC.
Horn hasn't worked since I bought it. This is what's under the cover.... Seems like I'm missing some stuff?

Any help appreciated

[Dead Parrot]

Looks good so far. Should be able to push down on the silver thing and get noise.

Otherwise, check fuses first.
After fuses, I would start at the other end of things and test the horn(s). +12v to the horn terminal should make noise. Needs to supply several amps, the horns are hungry.

[franken]

Pushing on the silver bit should make it go down a bit and letting off it should pop back up.
Find the horn relay, check for 12V and ground the black wire connection.

[Shark_13]

Thanks guys,
I'll have a closer look tomorrow.
Check fuses and find the relay.
Everything feels really solid, maybe it's just stuck. It's there a spring behind the metal cup?

[franken]

Normally there's a steel disc shaped, flat, round spring. It has 3 holes that the 3 screws go through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkLHt830OrA
If the spring is there it could be upside down.
You may want to remove the 3 screws and look under there...
If there's 12V on the relay there's no need to check the fuse.

[Shark_13]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I removed the screws and took the pieces out.

Everything had a layer of surface rust under it, so I scrubbed it with electronics cleaner and steel wool.

It honked! so Horn has power and relay is good

Finished cleaning, this weird plastic ring inside just kept it all from working?

So I removed it, put the two spring washers back in, the cup and screws, and it works perfectly

The neighbors at the bottom of the hill are going to be wondering what the racket is haha
Dog isn't impressed either.

Thanks!

[franken]

I think the white ring belongs there. Strange that there are 2 springs.
Glad it works now.

[Dead Parrot]

A pic of the similar parts from my 75's original wheel, probably taken when I was swapping out the sticky goo covered wheel for my current one.
1 spring, no white ring.

The little coil spring and button contact are part of what allows many GM wheels to interchange. The nut is the main steering wheel nut.

If it is now working, best to stop fixing it. But save any parts removed.

[Shark_13]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

A pic of the similar parts from my 75's original wheel, probably taken when I was swapping out the sticky goo covered wheel for my current one.
1 spring, no white ring.

The little coil spring and button contact are part of what allows many GM wheels to interchange. The nut is the main steering wheel nut.

If it is now working, best to stop fixing it. But save any parts removed.

Thanks!
Yep, I'm not touching it in now, works just fine

I'm guessing maybe original owner bought a replacement kit of parts, put both the new and old spring in, maybe the plastic piece is for a different model or something but everyone was solid and wouldn't press down with the plastic piece in there

It's in a show box full of other misc stuff from the truck