My '66 S Type, owned for about three years, had its horn operated by a screen-washer switch down near the bonnet pull knob, which wasn't ideal when needed in a hurry. I've just fixed the chronic oil leaks on the steering box and so removed the column to fit new bushes at the same time, and also deal with the horn issue. I'm conversant with the horn operation, went through it all and, for the avoidance of doubt, have run a new wire from the relay to the connection at the base of the column. Both hooters toot merrily when the bullet central doo-dad at the top is touched on the nearby column metal work. However, I'm not sure what the actual relationship is between horn button/D-ring and the central connection. I presume I have a spring or clip missing from the column centre that secures the top of the central column wire.

As it is, the central earthing wire comes up through the column, through a tubular plastic top-hat-type sleeve and is held in place with a tiny circlip and seems as it should be. However it can float about a bit if the wheel height is altered. I've paid good attention to adjustment of the three springs that secure the D ring thingy on the steering wheel and all feels well with this springy ring and the central button.

There are no diagrams or exploded drawings in my official Jaguar workshop manual, the Haynes manual, other books, Barretts website or anywhere on the web that I've scoured. I'm hoping someone will describe how it operates in the steering wheel centre, to earth the central connection when the D ring is thumped in a moment of near road rage. I'm pretty sure I have a small spring or clip missing. It seems this set-up was used after 1964, when the D ring was added, and before 1968 when the horn button was moved to the indicator stalk. Thank you, from a new member, in anticipation.

Ray, in Dull South Norfolk

 

If it helps, I have an image of the horn push top-end assembly in my S type parts website, it shows the order of the parts where it contacts the horn push when you press it.
See it here at the bottom of the page:
https://classicstypeparts.yourwebsitespace.com/contact

 

Thank you for the help and fast response, Jose.

It seems that I have the little washer and spring missing from under the tiny circlip at the top of the wire, I presume this maintains the contact between bullet end and the button/D ring and, hopefully, all will be revealed when I get out into the shed.

Ray

 

glad it helped Ray.
At the claxons (horns) side, the Purple wires connect to the horns' spade connector and the Black wires (Earth) to the bolts at the horns bracket with a ring connector.

Not a good location for those horns in my opinion, water, heat, and grease ruin the horns quickly, so I mounted mine behind the grille where they (in my opinion) belong.

 

I now know, more or less, what was lacking in my top column, Jose, and found a little conical spring and 5 mm flat washer to tuck under the circlip on the top bullet connector. In theory, this is how it should be. However, I then spent the morning juggling with different thicknesses of washers, 1 mm and half mm, and also the amount of tension on the three D Ring springs with the tiny plastic nuts, because it would either blare continuously or make no connection at all. There seemed to be no happy medium and it's very tedious getting in and out of the car, needing three hands and searching for tiny parts that have dropped onto the carpet or into my lap, and also finding the 7 mm socket or circlip that I've just laid down.. I had to walk away in the end and mess around with an old bike to get my head together. I'll have another go at it today if I get time.

It cannot be that touchy getting it all set up and I must be missing something here. I've fixed plenty of horns in my previous life as a truck mechanic but this old S Type seems too complicated to be practical - a bit like the IRS. Perhaps someone else has overcome a similar problem or can make a suggestion.

I've got a new pair of horns on the bench, to replace the kerb-damaged ones on the car, so will mount these under the grille as you suggested.

Ray