Horn honks when turning - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**flattie39** · 08-03-2019, 09:44 PM

Hey Guys - This is driving me nuts and I need some suggestions on how to correct it. I have a 69 C10 Stepside with the original 250 inliner and stock non-tilt steering column. I'm swapping my stock 17" steering wheel for a 15" (need the extra room) out of a 57 Chevy Two-10. I can get it to honk using the horn ring OK but it also honks when turning a corner, either direction. Any ideas?
Thanks, Ken

Willys_MB · 08-03-2019, 09:59 PM

Horn wires are probably shorting our inside the column. This happened in my old Jeep. Might be worth investigating.

**dmjlambert** · 08-03-2019, 10:10 PM

If you remove the horn ring and horn button, does the problem go away or remain? That is how you determine where the problem is. Is the problem in the column or in the steering wheel?

Zeroman · 08-04-2019, 07:53 AM

I had the same issue. Drove me crazy until I started looking at why it happens.

The horn ring was contacting the turn signal lever hold down screw, but only when pressure was being put on the steering wheel during turning. Mine would also honk if I pulled back on the turn signal lever.

Depending on which after market wheel adapter you purchased, there is usually a thin steel washer, maybe 3/32" thick, that needs to be installed on the column shaft first before the adapter hub. The washer spaces the hub off of the horn ring so when you tighten the shaft bolt down the adapter does not force the horn ring towards the front of the column.

You can see the ring in the picture attached.

I had installed the hub first, then the washer because I did not have any instructions as the adapter kit I installed was new, but over 20 years old.

I would call the manufacturer to verify.

VWNate1 · 08-04-2019, 01:50 PM

There's also a bushing /bearing in the top end of the steering column mast jcket that wears out and a few times at the Dealer the wire leading from it got apinched and simply wore through, back then it was a $7 part or some tape and proper routing of the wire would fix it on the cheap .

72ChevyTruckss · 08-05-2019, 10:43 AM

yep, horn signal shorting to turn lever screw. possible missing a spring to keep the horn collar away from turn lever screw.

68Gold/white · 08-05-2019, 12:03 PM

Quit turning!!!

**truckster** · 08-05-2019, 12:36 PM

It's not a bug; it's a feature.

**flattie39** · 08-05-2019, 03:33 PM

Thanks for the replies Guys - I've been on the road for the last 4 days and haven't been able to respond. I will try all the suggestions tonight.
Truckster - If I can't fix this honking problem, I'll use the horn as my turn signal and disconnect the turn signal lights.
Thanks again, Ken

08-03-2019, 09:44 PM	#1
flattie39 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Walhalla, SC Posts: 26	Horn honks when turning Hey Guys - This is driving me nuts and I need some suggestions on how to correct it. I have a 69 C10 Stepside with the original 250 inliner and stock non-tilt steering column. I'm swapping my stock 17" steering wheel for a 15" (need the extra room) out of a 57 Chevy Two-10. I can get it to honk using the horn ring OK but it also honks when turning a corner, either direction. Any ideas? Thanks, Ken

08-03-2019, 09:59 PM	#2
Willys_MB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 856	Re: Horn honks when turning Horn wires are probably shorting our inside the column. This happened in my old Jeep. Might be worth investigating. __________________ 1968 GMC C2500 Long Bed Fleetside

08-03-2019, 10:10 PM	#3
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,790	Re: Horn honks when turning If you remove the horn ring and horn button, does the problem go away or remain? That is how you determine where the problem is. Is the problem in the column or in the steering wheel?

08-04-2019, 07:53 AM	#4
Zeroman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 348	Re: Horn honks when turning I had the same issue. Drove me crazy until I started looking at why it happens. The horn ring was contacting the turn signal lever hold down screw, but only when pressure was being put on the steering wheel during turning. Mine would also honk if I pulled back on the turn signal lever. Depending on which after market wheel adapter you purchased, there is usually a thin steel washer, maybe 3/32" thick, that needs to be installed on the column shaft first before the adapter hub. The washer spaces the hub off of the horn ring so when you tighten the shaft bolt down the adapter does not force the horn ring towards the front of the column. You can see the ring in the picture attached. I had installed the hub first, then the washer because I did not have any instructions as the adapter kit I installed was new, but over 20 years old. I would call the manufacturer to verify. Attached Images

08-04-2019, 01:50 PM	#5
VWNate1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So. Cali. Posts: 2,650	Re: Horn honks when turning There's also a bushing /bearing in the top end of the steering column mast jcket that wears out and a few times at the Dealer the wire leading from it got apinched and simply wore through, back then it was a $7 part or some tape and proper routing of the wire would fix it on the cheap . __________________ -Nate Geezer '49 3100 235 W/ Muncie SM420 SOLD '69 C/10 shortbed sidemount survivor 250 L6 W/ 350TH

08-05-2019, 10:43 AM	#6
72ChevyTruckss Registered User Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: ROUND ROCK Posts: 4	Re: Horn honks when turning yep, horn signal shorting to turn lever screw. possible missing a spring to keep the horn collar away from turn lever screw.

08-05-2019, 12:03 PM	#7
68Gold/white Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ark City, Kansas Posts: 3,357	Re: Horn honks when turning Quit turning!!!

08-05-2019, 12:36 PM	#8
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,940	Re: Horn honks when turning It's not a bug; it's a feature. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

08-05-2019, 03:33 PM	#9
flattie39 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Walhalla, SC Posts: 26	Re: Horn honks when turning Thanks for the replies Guys - I've been on the road for the last 4 days and haven't been able to respond. I will try all the suggestions tonight. Truckster - If I can't fix this honking problem, I'll use the horn as my turn signal and disconnect the turn signal lights. Thanks again, Ken



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