horn problems, i just can't figure this one out Options

[rob gannon]

First of all, I would like to introduce myself -- My name is Rob. I am a 914 addict. Secondly, I would like to thank everyone for the wealth of knowledge they bring to this site. I have been on this site for about a year now, but this is my first post. I have been working on my 1970 914 for about 4 years and I am nearly finished. You guys have saved me from many roadblocks.

Now for my question: I am trying to get my horn to work. On the back of the steering wheel there is a plastic shroud and on the back of that there is a circular copper(?) ring with a wire connected to that ring that runs to the front of the steering wheel. Where the steering wheel shroud meets the steering column there is a 1-2 mm gap between the two. If I bridge that gap with a screwdriver or wire the horn works normally. You can see that gap in the photos I am going to try to post.




I have read somewhere that there is a contact finger. If there is, I can't see where it connects to the steering wheel shroud. Or, is the steering wheel shroud supposed to be flush with the steering column contact? BTW-Car is a 1970 with a 1974 1.8 motor. Who knows what the PO combined on this car.

Thanks,

Rob

[Eric_Shea]

Hey Rob... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

I cleaned up the post a tad and got the pictures in order.

Where's your turn signal switch in relationship to this pic?

[SirAndy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Looks like your parts are mismatched and from different years ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[SLITS]

On the early cars (69 - mid 72) there is a spring loaded cylindrical button that goes between the contact ring in the column and the horn pad .. usually lost.

Below is a link to the image from Pelican Parts:

Early horn contact

On later cars they used a wire that connected to the horn pad.

Like Ahandie said, the components must be matched.

[rob gannon]

Thanks Eric for cleaning up the post. It did look weird.
To answer your question - the first pic is taken looking from passenger to drivers side, level with the dash.
Sir Andy said that I may have mismatched parts.
Picture 2 is what I am calling the steering wheel shroud. I know that is not the proper name. Is what I am calling the shroud -- is that the mismatched part? Or is it the whole steering wheel that I need to look for?
Just trying to get the horn going, as it is a very small car.
Thanks,
Rob

[Mike Bellis]

Looks to me like the guts in the column sticks out too far and you have the wrong year steering wheel.