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Old 03-12-2018, 07:36 AM   #1
old Tom
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When the steering wheel is turned the headlights will flicker off and on. Does this meant there is a short in the wires running through the steering column?.How is the best way to repair that.?
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Old 03-12-2018, 10:19 AM   #2
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: lights

Is the light switch handle also moving some as you turn the wheel?
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Old 03-12-2018, 10:21 AM   #3
Will N
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Default Re: lights

It's more likely that the horn rod is a bit of a tight fit in the steering shaft, and the horn rod (which operates the light switch at the bottom of the steering column) is spinning a little when you turn the wheel. When you turn the wheel, do you see the light lever move?
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Old 03-13-2018, 05:13 PM   #4
old Tom
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Default Re: lights

Are you saying that when you move the light switch handle by the horn button that it operates a rod and the electrical light switch is at the bottom of the steering column. Thank You,
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Old 03-13-2018, 05:35 PM   #5
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Default Re: lights
Are you saying that when you move the light switch handle by the horn button that it operates a rod and the electrical light switch is at the bottom of the steering column. Thank You,

Yes Tom. The light switch handle under your horn button is a long rod running straight through your steering column that turns the light switch at the base of the steering column. If working properly, that switch will be unaffected by steering wheel movement. If not and it's binding in the steering column, then it will turn your lights on and off as you drive, and you don't want that.
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Old 03-13-2018, 05:36 PM   #6
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Old 03-13-2018, 11:03 PM   #7
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Default Re: lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by old Tom View Post
When the steering wheel is turned the headlights will flicker off and on. Does this meant there is a short in the wires running through the steering column?.How is the best way to repair that.?
Quote:
Originally Posted by old Tom View Post
Are you saying that when you move the light switch handle by the horn button that it operates a rod and the electrical light switch is at the bottom of the steering column. Thank You,
Tom, Yes as already mentioned, the light switch is at the bottom of the steering column. There are no "wires running through the steering column".
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Old 03-14-2018, 07:37 AM   #8
old Tom
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Default Re: lights

Thank you all very much I haven't had a Model A since I was 14 and that was a while ago. I just got the car last Sat. One more question if no wires run through the column how does the horn work when you push the button. There is a wire running from the B side of the generator C/O to the horn and than down to a wire harness. The horn does not work. I haven't tried to hot wire it as yet to check it. I will check the horn rod as soon as I get time. Mr Peters is that a W6 in your picture?
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Old 03-14-2018, 08:57 AM   #9
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Default Re: lights

The horn is wired so that it is always hot, and all that is needed is a ground to complete the circuit. The wire coming off the generator cut-out to the horn is hot, and the other wire from the horn to the light switch is the ground. The end of the light switch rod has a contact that makes contact with the horn ground wire. When you push the horn button, it completes the ground path and the horn sounds. I never took a light switch rod apart, but I suspect there IS a wire that runs inside the rod from the contact down at the light switch end up to the horn button.
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Old 03-14-2018, 10:26 AM   #10
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Default Re: lights

The horn grounding wire is the only one running thru the shaft. It is inside the light rod tube not free floating in the shaft. You could be missing the bushing that goes at the top or the rod has a small bend in it and is rubbing just enough to turn just a little bit with the shaft.
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/light-rod-bushing
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Old 03-16-2018, 09:25 AM   #11
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Default Re: lights

Tom: Yes. It's actually a 1953 Super W6 International. You definitely know your tractors!
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Old 03-18-2018, 12:59 PM   #12
old Tom
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Default Re: lights

A few posted that there should be a wire running up the horn rod to the horn button, the other end of the wire connects to the horn grd terminal. My question is what do you connect the wire to at the top,so the horn button contacts it when you push it. Mine does not have a wire running through the horn rod. We can make the horn work by grounding the contact at the light switch. Can you remove the light switch lever and the horn button from the end of the shaft? I think I might have a replacement shat on mine.
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Old 03-18-2018, 01:26 PM   #13
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Default Re: lights

This is what you need. https://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=3344

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Attached Images
File Type: jpg hornwire.jpg (19.5 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg A-Switch.jpg (27.5 KB, 9 views)

Last edited by Bob C; 03-18-2018 at 01:33 PM.
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Old 03-19-2018, 09:37 AM   #14
Jerry in Shasta
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Default Re: lights

I use some WD40 and a .45 Cal. bore bush to clean the steering shaft each time I take one out.
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