Constant Horn/ dead battery

[Benny123]

About 2 weeks ago I had my buddy put a leakless tube on the steering column, to prevent steering lube leaks. Everything appeared to got back together and the car ran fine. I did notice a week later, the horn would come on intermittently when I put my lights on, but fiddling with it would make it stop. Yesterday I went to start it. Wouldnt do anything yesterday, so I assumed the battery was dead. (The arctic blast is here.) I left it on the battery tender all night, and tried to start again today. It made some attempt trying to turn over but still very weak. I then decided to try and jump it. When I did, the horn would not stop, no matter when the lights were on, off, or high. It made so much noise at 6AM, I decided to abort mission, figuring something is not right. Neighbors likely not impressed either.

Im thinking something is shorting out the battery/causing the horn to run constantly. Any ideas? Something wrong in the switch or horn button? Anyone else had this? 1930 Deluxe Delivery FWIW. Restored 1996.

[JDupuis]

Check the horn/light rod at the end of the steering box. The insulator for the horn may be damaged, or the "c" clip may not be seated fully causing a short to ground.
Did you clean the excessive oil out of the light bail/switch?
Good luck. Jeff

[Benny123]

Those are good ideas. I dont know if my fellow MAC member cleaned the bail switch, but Ill ask him. Thank you

[Benny123]

Just fiddled with it again and got the car to start. Oddly enough, I rotated the black horn button (not the lever) about 2 mm to the left and the horn stopped. Does this make sense? Or should this not happen?

[Jacksonlll]

Somewhere at the bottom of your horn rod, it is touching ground. It is right where you were working. I use a large soda straw, piece of it, to make sure the contact does not touch ground. Good luck and Happy New Year.

[Benny123]

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Going to work on this when the freeze lifts. Just to be sure, as far as placement of the piece of straw. You made a circle of straw and placed below the retainer clip, or between the retainer clip and the switch spider?

[Benny123]

Quick update to those that stumble on this for years to come. I tried to fit a straw piece, but the straw was a tad small and wouldnt go on. I then decided to try a very small piece of vinyl tubing I had on hand (you can get it from plumbing at a local hardware store), approx 3/8 diameter. I used about 6mm of it, and slipped it on and it was well insulated. I also left about 3 mm of the metal exposed below the tube.
Additionally I found I was also shorting from the wheel. Apparently any of us can short out above where the horn button is. If you begin to rotate it you will feel the button get tighter and tighter until there is no play and the horn stays on. You can keep turning and it gets looser and turns off as well. What apparently happening is that the spring in the button is collapsing and expanding and when it collapses it grounds out and it turns the horn on. I made a mark on top of the button to be able to reposition if needed.
Also, having a kill switch or pulling your fuse will prevent this power draw *and allow your neighbors to sleep*

[JDupuis]

Glad you updated with your findings. Thanks. Jeff

[chap52]

Always appreciate "closure" of issues. That's how we learn.
Thanks