55.2-59 Horn Wiring - WTH?

[2bo.c10]

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of rewiring my '58 with a new wiring harness. All is going well, but I cant figure out how to wire the horn... I got a new contact plate and contact bushing. I have the original bushing (luckily because the new one doesnt fit in the steering wheel?) I have a dedicated wire from the new harness, but dont see how its supposed to connect to the contact bushing. Is that even where it connects? The pic of the wiring diagram seems to imply so.

I get the idea that when you push the horn, it connects the contact plate with the contact bushing, initiating the horn, but again - I dont see how it gets power and then translates to the horn itself via the wire. Help! I've seen other contact bushings that have a wire and blade terminal on the end of it. That is what I was imagining I would need. Attached are photos of what I purchased (contact bushing, contact plate).

I also bought a new turn signal switch that has 6 wires attached to it, but I dont believe one of those wires is for the horn. (turn signal switch picture also attached)

Thanks!

[mongocanfly]

All the horn button does is complete the ground circuit for the relay....power for the horn goes thru the relay and on to the horn..not thru the button..

[2bo.c10]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

All the horn button does is complete the ground circuit for the relay....power for the horn goes thru the relay and on to the horn..not thru the button..

So I’m still unclear on where to connect the wire from the fuse panel. All of the connectors from the turn signal switch are dedicated to other things, and there is nowhere to connect the wire from the fuse panel.what am I missing?

[jwhotrod]

unless I misunderstand, you have a horn power wire that starts in the fuse block and you are confused as to where it goes. That power wire goes to your horn relay. the green wire from your column also goes to that relay. from the relay there will be a wire that goes to your horn. The wire from the column switches ground thru the horn button that completes the control circuit in the relay telling it to send power to the horn. the reason it is done this way is the wire going up into the column is not heavy enough to carry the amperage the horn requires to operate.

[_Ogre]

if your using a stock harness with stock horn relay mounted on the firewall:
power goes to the horn relay
ground is the horn button
power from the relay 'honk'
relay and horns grounded to the body

[_Ogre]

if your using an aftermarket wiring harness:
horn relay is wired into the fuse panel (my ezwire was hanging off the panel)
ground wire to horn button is in the turn signal wires going into the dash
horn wire is in the front lighting group

[_Ogre]

older turn signal switches have 6 wires:
12v+ in from headlight switch
12v+ in from brake light switch
4 wires out to each corner of the truck for stop/turn bulbs

new ts switches also have 12v+ for hazard flasher
while the horn wire isn't in the ts wiring it is run in the same group

[2bo.c10]

Originally Posted by jwhotrod

unless i misunderstand, you have a horn power wire that starts in the fuse block and you are confused as to where it goes. That power wire goes to your horn relay. The green wire from your column also goes to that relay. From the relay there will be a wire that goes to your horn. The wire from the column switches ground thru the horn button that completes the control circuit in the relay telling it to send power to the horn. The reason it is done this way is the wire going up into the column is not heavy enough to carry the amperage the horn requires to operate.

thank you!!!!!

[2bo.c10]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

older turn signal switches have 6 wires:
12v+ in from headlight switch
12v+ in from brake light switch
4 wires out to each corner of the truck for stop/turn bulbs

new ts switches also have 12v+ for hazard flasher
while the horn wire isn't in the ts wiring it is run in the same group

Thank you!!!!

[Russell Ashley]

You should have a wire that exits the steering column through a hole just below the dash. It will have a cover that is screwed to the column if it hasn't been removed. This is where the TS wires come out too but the horn wire is not part of the TS wires. The horn wire attaches to the insulated bushing that is in the top of the column tube and provides a ground to pick the horn relay when you push the horn button. It's the brown wire with the white shrink tubing in my picture.

[2bo.c10]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

You should have a wire that exits the steering column through a hole just below the dash. It will have a cover that is screwed to the column if it hasn't been removed. This is where the TS wires come out too but the horn wire is not part of the TS wires. The horn wire attaches to the insulated bushing that is in the top of the column tube and provides a ground to pick the horn relay when you push the horn button. It's the brown wire with the white shrink tubing in my picture.

I see the wire you’re speaking of. Where do you have that connecting to?

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by 2bo.c10

I see the wire you’re speaking of. Where do you have that connecting to?

What kit are you using? If it's EZWire I can be more detailed, but if your kit simulates original wiring you would connect that wire as shown in Ogre's post. I wired my truck using an EZWire kit and my horn circuit is basically the same as original, just uses a modern relay, and the horn ckt is fused. The brown wire from my horn button goes to one side of the horn relay pick coil.

[_Ogre]

there should be a way to attach the wire to the springy button thingy 47-05204
54-05203 rotates with the steering wheel and is grounded with the nut holding the wheel on
47-05204 is fixed into the column and is the path to ground the horn relay wire

[2bo.c10]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

there should be a way to attach the wire to the springy button thingy 47-05204
54-05203 rotates with the steering wheel and is grounded with the nut holding the wheel on
47-05204 is fixed into the column and is the path to ground the horn relay wire

I think this is what I'm missing. I think the upper steering column bearing is what I need. I have the original springy thing but it doesnt make contact with anything.

[_Ogre]

it's been a looong time since i tore apart a stock column

[1project2many]

It seems like you'd notice that the upper bearing is missing because the wheel would flop all over the place. If the bearing is not missing then I don't know what would hold it if the bearing retainer is gone. So I'm thinking you might want to check to see if the part is actually there but has been painted over. It's made of brass so it will sand easily.