re 91 Tracker horn

[JohnCaron]

Well i finally found the problem,it was a ground like yous figured only it was hard to find. The ground wire in the first joint in the steering column next to the firewall was broke right at the connecter making it look good, plus its got a plastic shroud over it. the reason it worked with the key out is that the steering wheel lock grounded the shaft. Thanks to cheyenne88 and viperh for your time and help.

[cheyenne'88]

Nice WORK! Had to be a job finding THAT! Really appreciate the update, too. This gives me a place to start on my '91. (WAY not yet on my projects list!)

[viperh]

Originally Posted by JohnCaron

Well i finally found the problem,it was a ground like yous figured only it was hard to find. The ground wire in the first joint in the steering column next to the firewall was broke right at the connecter making it look good, plus its got a plastic shroud over it. the reason it worked with the key out is that the steering wheel lock grounded the shaft. Thanks to cheyenne88 and viperh for your time and help.

LOL good find I absolutly hate trying to find electrical problems.. I usually put them off as long as possible.

[EddieBear]

I am having the same horn problem with my 91 Tracker. However, I cannot find any grounding connector anywhere on the steering column. I have a feeling someone may have monkeyed around under there before and that something may be missing, as I've had it all exposed, even removing the plastic shrouding around the ignition switch/turn signal assembly. Using a digital multimeter and a 12V test light, I have determined that everything up to the copper horn contact wiper, that touches the backside of the steering wheel, is okay. WITH the key IN the ignition and in the ON position, I can run pull the copper contact wiper away from the steering wheel contact ring surface just enough to lose connection, touch a grounded jumper wire to it and complete the connection to make the horn. This tells me that the horn SHOULD ground itself through the rotating steering shaft. However the shaft itself is apparently lacking proper ground, and I cannot locate its connector or contact surface to complete the grounding ciruit.

What I COULD simply do, in theory, is bend the contact wiper arm back enough to break the connection to the backside of the steering wheel, connect a wire between it and one pole of an add-on horn switch, with the other pole running to a chassis ground. This would work permanently; however, I really would prefer to not resort to that, and keep everything looking as factory. Any info on how the steering shaft is supposed to ground would be greatly appreciated.

-EB