-
92 EcoDiesel horn dead spot w wheel straight ahead
by
92EcoDiesel Jetta
on 26 Aug, 2018 15:06
-
Hey everybody, I haven't visited this forum for a long time! mainly because I have had zero issues with my dependable daily driver 92 EcoDiesel, until a month or 2 ago.
I have a dead spot in the horn in the center position of the steering wheel. I use the horn circuit to supply power to a charger to charge my phone which is mounted on the steering wheel's flat spot. The power goes on and off intermittently while I am driving because of this dead spot, which cause the phone to beep as the power comes and goes- very annoying and the phone does not get fully charged.
Per the Bently, the horn button receives voltage through terminal 71 of the turn signal switch. There must be a slip ring in the steering wheel somewhere but the Bently do not mention it. I have not tore into it yet and don't want to break anything. That's why I am asking for help. Has anyone had a similar problem? What do I need to disassemble to get to the source of the intermittent horn circuit?
-
#1
by
ORCoaster
on 26 Aug, 2018 21:56
-
92ECO, First of all ditch the circuit to charge the phone that way. Just wire up a second plug off the cigarette lighter and use a standard plug to USB cord. Much more dependable, on all the time, and not prone to cutting out. And it is on a fuse that is of greater amperage.
As for the horn circuit: You have to pull the horn cover off the steering wheel and using a 24 or 27 MM deep socket and a large breaker bar you remove the nut holding the steering wheel on. Mark it for alignment with a permanent pen or scribe so you get it back on in the same place.
Once you get the steering wheel off you will see how there is a ring on the bottom of it and it most likely is dirty and the little finger of a tab that connects to that ring might be bent or corroded as well. Just clean them both up real good. Put some lube on them and bend the finger up so it always is applying contact to the horn ring. Pretty simple thing to do if you have those metric deep sockets. You can always hit the local autopart store up for their loaners too. No need to buy a set.
Hope that gets you a fully working horn and a better charging setup.
Honestly, a take off from the horn circuit? Now that is a first.
-
#2
by
TylerDurden
on 27 Aug, 2018 15:06
-
I assume it's still going through the relay coil... It doesn't seem to draw enough to close the relay and honk the horn, so whatever.
As stated, the cover pops off and the big nut loosens the wheel. There is usually a terminal to unplug.
Personally, I'd put the phone on the dash, but it's your ride.
-
#3
by
ORCoaster
on 27 Aug, 2018 23:25
-
Maximum Distraction to driving with it in the wheel.
-
#4
by
srgtlord
on 04 Sep, 2018 13:29
-
Not sure if you guys can see this picture but I wired up a separate horn button when my stock horn failed. Definitely separate the horn and the phone charger circuits.
-
#5
by
ORCoaster
on 04 Sep, 2018 19:47
-
Nice button, Maybe a tad oversized but when in need size matters. I think that would be a great place for a phone dock.
-
#6
by
92EcoDiesel Jetta
on 13 Sep, 2018 18:47
-
I assume it's still going through the relay coil... It doesn't seem to draw enough to close the relay and honk the horn, so whatever.
As stated, the cover pops off and the big nut loosens the wheel. There is usually a terminal to unplug.
Personally, I'd put the phone on the dash, but it's your ride.
Where I have the phone mounted on the steering wheel is the best spot for maps/ navigation, where I don't have to turn my head to look at Google Maps (I don't txt or web surf when I drive & I have a perfect driving record w. no accidents or tickets since 1972). Horn and phone charging both still work through the horn slip ring. The trick is to add a tail light bulb in series with the charger to increase the load to pull in the horn relay.
I pulled the 24 mm nut and removed steering wheel easily (thanks for the info). It was apparent what was wrong.... in the straight ahead position, the slip ring has an approx a 5 degree worn spot where there's no current flow. As a temporary solution, I re-clocked the steering wheel 5 degrees to bypass the dead spot and it now works fine in the straight ahead position.
Anyone got a steering wheel with a good slip ring?
-
#7
by
ORCoaster
on 13 Sep, 2018 23:18
-
I think I still have a blue one around if you want it. PM me and we can see if it works out for the both of us.
-
#8
by
92EcoDiesel Jetta
on 03 Oct, 2018 12:34
-
I think I still have a blue one around if you want it. PM me and we can see if it works out for the both of us.
Sorry for the late reply to your offer. I have a black dash. A blue horn pad wouldn't look good. I actually deleted the (fat) horn pad and installed my own horn switch, and mounted the phone in the center of the steering wheel instead of on top of the horn pad, which made it much better overall.
-
#9
by
ORCoaster
on 04 Oct, 2018 23:11
-
I have a black interior in the Caddy and I run the GTI type steering wheel. More beddar
-
#10
by
Broosse
on 04 Feb, 2019 09:06
-
we also have a group buy on Mc Guard if we order 5 or more sets we can save some money if anyone is interested?
