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Ian M · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: Horn Problem

Heres the thing...I get in the car, try horn and it works, I put keys in ignition and it still works, I turn on the ignition it doesnt work,
I switch off the ignition it still doesnt work, but when I take the key out again it works again

AAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!

HELP?
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paulhide · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:17 pm Post subject:

Yeah, it's an earthing problem down the bottom of the rack. With the key out the steering lock engages and earths the column. Use a wire on the end of the rack.

[Phone me for your parts sometime.] Smile

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Ian M · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:40 pm Post subject:

Cheers Paul...yes I will give you a call in the near future.
I was hoping to be at Chatsworth this weekend and perhaps meet up but work and family have had to come first once again.
Will try and get to Shelsey as well but thats starting to look doubtful now as well.
Getting back to the problem...when you say " down the bottom of the rack "
Where exactly are we talking, as the rack is a horizontal item where is the bottom of it , or did you mean the column ?
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Admin · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:45 am Post subject:

Hi

I had this problem with the lhd 1.3, and the problem was the steering column only being earthed through the steering lock.

Not certain now but I think I fixed it by earthing the steering rack.

All the best

Keith
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey

Quick fix is to loosen off one of the C clamps for the steering rack and put a piece of wire between the clamp and the rack, there is a rubber gasket in between, this worked for me when i had the same thing on my ser 2
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Ian M · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all your help with that one guys.
I was going to do that fix today and got as far as jacking the car up and started loosening the clamp holding the rack.
I then had to go in the car and get something and as I did so I brushed the horn button and it was working and has been ever since.
So I didnt bother with the earthing wire for now.
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey

lol and hmmm, If i were you I would do the fix anyway because knowing alfa electrics it will fail when you most need it Smile

Mine used to only work when the steering was near full lock.
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Ian M · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject:

I know what your saying Al but it was awkward to get at so I took the easy option.
I'll probably live to regret it but at least I know what to do if it happens again
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey

ok

, I'll tell you what happened to me and prompted me to do it.
I was approaching a roundabout in the right lane, there was a car to my left, he suddenly decided to go into my lane, I pressed my horn, forgetting it didn't work, moved over to the right whilst applying my brakes and hit the central kerb, bent my strut and knocked the tracking out!!
I fixed the horn the next day without jacking and used the wire option as I too couldn’t be arsed to do the earthing strap Smile

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