The horn circuitry has been discussed several times in the recent past on this forum if you do the relevant searches. The above photo is some sort of bodge up. Look at the pictures and read the descriptions by hazetguy in these pictures on the samba.com to give you some understanding of the circuit: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/al...ll&show_results=posts&sort_by=0&sort_dir=DESC Ignore the horn wiring diagrams by Tcash as they show the prototype bay set up which is different.
Hello VWED I searched. Numerous times on both this and the samba forums and unfortunately there are a million and one articles to go through. I probably came across your suggested ones before. I am familiar with the wiring principles of the horn and the wiring to my coupler seems correct judging by the Haynes, although it does need attaching to the steering box coupling bolt. I was asking about the small lug which connects a wire and is usually shown closer to the steering column hole, however the lug I have appears to be a factory fit. I was just asking if this part is familiar to anyone as it seems slightly out of place. I believe I should be able to rewire the horn when I purchase a new horn itself.
There were two designs: a crap one and a later better one. You appear to have the earlier crap one - have you got a plastic insulator at the bottom of the outer steering column?
Just to clarify we are talking about the same thing, I'm referring to the small tab which you can see at the bottom centre(ish) of the photo, the cream area between the waxoyl. This looks like the Other horn wire should attach to this?
I'm not convinced that you have got the earlier horn set-up. We know from your chassis number that you have a 1974 model year Bus. Looking at the relevant wiring diagrams on thesamba.com for that year suggests that the steering column itself acts as the conduit for the earth and not an actual cable. The only brown cable shown on the wiring diagram is the short link across the steering coupling. That is how the later set-up works. The pre August '72 wiring diagrams clearly reference the brown running cable down the centre of the column which is how the early set up works.
I've lost count of the amount of diagrams and articles I have read on horn wiring! In my head it was simple, I have the coupling wire connected (the brown one). I then believed I needed to run a wire from the horn to the tab I described in my photo above, then I needed a wire from the horn to the fuse box. That seemed simple. Or maybe I'm not finding the correct tab and its underneath the coupling and in the column? Every time I research I come up with a different answer, I really wish there was clear direction for this! I have a dash horn but it's not very original.
If you do indeed have the earlier set up the tab you are looking for is above the steering coupling attached to the bottom of the column as shown in the black and white workshop manual photos in this thread on thesamba.com: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=520344&highlight=tab In all the discussions I have read on thesamba about this tab the consensus is that it is often missing and in any case difficult to attach the cable from the horn to it. One of the reasons of course why this set up was superseded by the later set up where the cable from the horn enters the steering column much higher up. Something to consider regarding whether you should have the earlier or later set up is to find somebody on this forum with a similar aged Bus, '74 model year pre the chassis number 214 2164059, and ask which set up they have. Also if you have the earlier set up there should be evidence of a wire coming down the length of the column that attaches to the coupling bolts.
How is the 'new' steering box? I'm guessing its a recon and who supplied it. I rebuilt mine (late bay - rhd) including replacing the bush in the top casting but I'd quite like to get hold of a spare.
Thanks Vwed The wire I have on my coupling bolt was an existing wire. The trouble seems to have come from a PO or more likely a workshop fix on the horn. One of the horn connectors is snapped off, they have then bypassed all the original stuff to fit a dash horn. So I have an existing wire from the column onto the steering coupling, so from what your saying this is an earlybay set up? If an earlybay then I need a wire from horn to a lug at the bottom of the steering column and obviously a wire from horn to live?
its a decent recon second hand box...... Or so my mechanic friend says. Not tested yet but I'll let you know. Obviously your wanting a RHD for yours so I'll just let you know out of interest.
this is how the late set up works have a look to see if the pictures match or put up a pic of your column switches http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/horny-circuit-explained.29228/
Yes, from what you say it sounds like an early set up and you need to do what you suggest. The early set up is covered extensively on the samba.com. As a starting point I would check the integrity of your current horn, either by removing it and hooking up direct to a battery or in situ checking the continuity across the 2 terminals. If in doubt replace, they are cheap enough. I bought one of these recently: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-M...ake:VW&hash=item2ed0ef81a9:g:AyEAAOxyUgtTMXzh The terminals were more protected than some other makes out there.
the horn works via the dash button so I theory is good, however I will replace due to the missing lug on the horn. Thanks for the help, it's much easier when you know what set up to look at wether it be early or late.
I bought one of these; more expensive but it’s a proper horn. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NWFJ7OA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
