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I've read as many articles as I can on the subject of the horn connector rod inside the upper steering column but am looking for any simple tips on how to locate it.
I had to remove my steering wheel and when putting it back, the horn was constantly on. Clearly the internal rod is not fitting into the horn button tube and is grounding out elsewhere. When I try to look down the steering column, I can see no sign of the connector rod at all - all I can see is the top of the spring inside the column.
Before I start dissembling the column, does anyone have any tips on how I locate and maybe fix the rod without having to pull things apart? Is it easy to remove the column and am I just going to have to resort to replacing it with a new one?
Plan B is to install a wireless button in the horn pad. I've found something which might do that job but would like to get back to stock if I can.
the horn should not sound unless the ignition switch is in any of its ON positions.
the rod is joined or part of a cream-color plastic NUT with a brass center contact. The NUT IS finger tight but some people tighten it with pliers or sockets and they crack the rod off the nut.
This plastic NUT is the first thing you see when you remove the steering wheel.
Hi and thanks for the replies. I don't think I've been very clear in my request. What you've both referred to is what I called the "horn connector rod" in my original post. What I'm looking for is the rod which is located in the steering column. It's the upper of the two rods in the photo below (grabbed from another post) - the one with the pointed end which slots into the rod that's attached to the steering wheel. That's the lower rod in the photo and I can confirm that it's in good condition.
My issue is that I can't locate that pointed lower rod and it's not inserting into the upper rod, so it must be grounding out so the horn is permanently on when I turn the ignition on. I've stopped it by pulling the connector out of the steering column tab but now need to fix the root cause. I suspect there's no easy way of locating it but looking for anyone's experience in doing so.
Some time, I have to fix mine. It sounds the horn when I turn the wheel. As a temporary fix (like the last 10 years or so), I've wired the horn to a button on the dashboard. I think the rods have to be close to perfectly straight to avoid the rod earthing to the column tube. One of yours in the photo looks to have a slight curve.
The rod you want is fitted to the column and can be accessed by disassembling the insulators. It has been 30 years since I used to do this several times a year when you could still get parts from Jaguar.
A few people tried to repair the columns and 'tack-welded' the upper and lower shafts when they broke the plastic collapsing piece.
Jaguar found out and since it is a LIABILITY part, they DISCONTINUED all repair parts EXCEPT the column itself as an ASSEMBLY.(welded columns DO NOT collapse during an impact)
I did manage to get a few parts after that by ordering Series II sedan column parts but they found out and discontinued them also.
Series II, Series III and XJ-S parts are similar enough that something can usually be 'pieced-together' from those cars.
Some time, I have to fix mine. It sounds the horn when I turn the wheel. As a temporary fix (like the last 10 years or so), I've wired the horn to a button on the dashboard. I think the rods have to be close to perfectly straight to avoid the rod earthing to the column tube. One of yours in the photo looks to have a slight curve.
That's not a picture of my rods but I think you're right, I can't locate the rod in the column so it's earthing out.
I really didn't want to spend hours removing the upper steering column and trying to fish out the rod so I've come up with a solution similar to yours (I'd read about your solution in one of the posts), but have tried to keep as close to stock as possible.
I took the electronics out of the remote switch and put them into the Steering Wheel hub. I created a small "pusher" with some epoxy and attached that behind the badge in the centre of the standard horn pad to replace the button that was built into the casing I removed. I then replaced the standard horn relay with the remote receiver and located it under the bonnet (hood, sorry). It's not as elegant as some of the other solutions I've seen but it was simple for someone who didn't want to do any soldering or think too much about the solution. Some things to note:
I've attached to a permanent live so the horn can be sounded with the ignition off - this could be a good or bad thing
The horn comes on almost immediately when I push the horn pad but it's stays on for half a second or so when I release it. That could **** some people off
It only works when I push the centre of the pad - not the outer edges like it does as standard
I'll have to change the small 1.5v battery from time to time - no big hardship
It will be interesting to see how long the receiver lasts but it should at least get me through the annual UK MOT test which is due in a couple of weeks.
The remote transmitter attached to the back of the existing horn push assembly. The small black button in the centre of the electrics board is the switch. The button that I needed to recreate behind the horn pad
Last edited by markdpeter; Aug 30, 2022 at 10:18 AM.
The rod you want is fitted to the column and can be accessed by disassembling the insulators. It has been 30 years since I used to do this several times a year when you could still get parts from Jaguar.
A few people tried to repair the columns and 'tack-welded' the upper and lower shafts when they broke the plastic collapsing piece.
Jaguar found out and since it is a LIABILITY part, they DISCONTINUED all repair parts EXCEPT the column itself as an ASSEMBLY.(welded columns DO NOT collapse during an impact)
I did manage to get a few parts after that by ordering Series II sedan column parts but they found out and discontinued them also.
Series II, Series III and XJ-S parts are similar enough that something can usually be 'pieced-together' from those cars.
I've seen you say this in the other posts I've read @motorcarman and that's what made me decide to look around - I can't be see myself being successful in piecing something together The next owner can do it if they are inclined - that should be some time away, however, as I'm almost at the end of my initial list of things to do and now onto improvement items (rather than "repair" items)...
Horn Connector Rod
The next owner can do it if they are inclined - that should be some time away, however, as I'm almost at the end of my initial list of things to do and now onto improvement items (rather than "repair" items)...