Halo Ring and No Horn

[Greenleaf]

Guys,

In response to the Pastors "Halo" ring around his ignition key I have done some investigation in the column.



The plug that connects to the base of the key cylinder has the power/ground for the halo. The black wire is ground. The blue wire has power as well as the blue/black tracer wire. The only wire I really understand is the yellow/red tracer wire. This wire has power only when the door is opened and cuts out when door is closed.



I looked things up in the manual and the diagram of the column refers me to "Z". Where is Z? It don't say. What the heck is "Z"!!!!!!!!!!! I have yet to figure these diagrams out!!!!



I also dug into the horn circuit controls. I have my horn rigged 'cause I have no power through the base of my steering wheel. I pulled the wheel and there is this large hockey puck with wires. Placed on this is a stern warning that you probably don't want to mess with this thing w/out the book. I have the "book" and I still don't want to mess with it.



So anyhow, I have NO horn power (black w/two red tracers) through this thing under my steering wheel. My cruise control works fine.



Did I mention that there is copper powder found through out the steering column, being most heavily around the base of the steering wheel?



-S

 

[Paychk]

The funny looking Z in the electrical schematics is a jump to a different schematic sheet. If the Z you're referring to is on the black wire it continues on sheet 52. If you are referring to a regular Z then that is Dodges circuit id for ground systems.



If you read starting on page 8W-1, there is an explanation of Dodges wiring diagrams, of course that is in the FSM.

 

[ARedetzke]

That hockey puck is the clock spring, don't worry about it. If you take it out just make sure that it aligns with the slots in the back of the wheel. There is nothing to it, replaced mine couple months ago. My wife could do it ( and that ain't just whistlin' dixie!!)

 

[MMiller]

If I remember correctly my halo is on a timer. It goes out after the door is shut a while. I have had the truck so long, and now drive it so little, I'm not even sure my halo still works!!!



Michael

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

HEY !!!! Scott... after we spoke I had a real brainstorm.....

You could put a button on the floorboards, just under the throttle peddle... . every time you tromp on the ole hog... the horn sounds... . ... . hey, fair warning to anyone in front of ya. . right...



pb... .

 

[Greenleaf]

I shut myself up in a room at home and studied the FSM wiring schematics till my eyes were blodshoot.



Think I'm getting ahold of this schematics thing.



The other two wires on the halo plug would be for the "key in ignition stupid" chime.



The clock spring? Ain't got no clock in there!!! Had to study that awhile too! I don't know if power is getting through my clock spring but there is power (for the horn) to it. My cruise works ok, so the spring must be ok (??????)



I will wire up a push button switch under the "foot feed"



-S

 

[tugboatphil]

Scott,



First things first; get some Visine and Tylenol!!



I think the spring he was referring to was the one that keeps the horn contacts from touching, when not in use. Just guessing. That's the only spring I've ever seen in there.

 

[Greenleaf]

Clock Spring

This is whazzzz up.



The clock spring will allow power to pass through the column to the steering wheel. It will wind "up" when turning one way, Right I think, and "unwind" when turning the other way. If there was no spring and only wires were used to make the connection..... well then, you would bust up the wires as they would be constantly turning in there under the steering wheel.



What I don't understand is why the sam heck there is power TO the spring but none going OUT for the horn.



The horn "button" has a felt piece that keeps the two pieces separated so's yer horn don't sound all the time.



Anyone want me to tear into anything else on my truck to figure out how sumth'n works?



Scott

 

[Philip]

What I don't understand is why the sam heck there is power TO the spring but none going OUT for the horn.

There is no power going out to the horn. The power your reading is a ground circuit. When you ground it. You should at least hear a relay trip in the fuse box. If you do not. Try a ground not on the column. I have seen dodge columns loose the grounds threw the rag joint before. The steering shaft is the ground. Not the outer column.

 

[Greenleaf]

This can become confusing... ... .....

When I ground the horn relay they will both sound.

However, when I use a test light on this wire, there is power there, at the relay terminal. There is power in this same wire, black w/two red tracers, up to the steering column. When I ground this wire the horns will sound. But again, when I ground the wire "from" the clock spring to a known good ground, there is nothing.



Scott

 

[Philip]

Sounds like the clock spring setup has some problems Scott.