Mk1 Golf: Horn/earthing question

[rh-m]

Can anybody tell me how the steering column in a Mk1 Golf (1983 GX) is
designed to be earthed well-enough for the horn to work reliably? I bought
a new horn from Halfords thinking that would get me through the MOT test but
to no avail. There
is 12 V at the horn and at the switches in the steering wheel so I suppose
that the problem must lie between the switch and earth.

I can't work out how the horn current is supposed to reach earth via the
steering column : it appears that it has to flow through either the column
bearing(s) or the universal joints to reach the main structure of the car.
Any information about how it is supposed to work, or suggestions about how
to get round the problem, would be much appreaciated.

There is an 'earth link' wire between the steering rack and the body but it
just a thin white wire. Is this standard or is it an earlier attempt to
'solve' the same problem?

Thanks

Richard
Kent, Uk

1983 A1 golf gx
1991 A2 golf GTi

[JMG]

Horns usually switch the negative side of the circuit so if there's 12 volts
at the horn and switch that is normal until the switch is operated then the
earth side of the circuit is completed.
"rh-m" <rh...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
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