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Key ignition ground

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Gsmblue

Key ignition ground

In my F350 the horn only works when the key is in the off position. If I move the key to another position the horn will not work.

The key cylinder is really sloppy.

Any advise on how to start trouble shooting this one?

1985.5 F-150 XL Explorer standard cab 5.0 EFI AOD 4x4
Daily Driver. We call her Eunice the Ute.

1982 Bronco XLT Lariat 351W AOD 4x4
Code name Esperanza, or Espy to her friends. Please see my Project thread for the blow by blow.

1984 F-350 XL Centurion crew cab 460 T19 4x4
"Eylza Dual-little"

Gary Lewis

Re: Key ignition ground

Administrator

Do you have speed control? If so, then I had the same problem. IIRC the ground under the horn pad wasn't working and the horn relay was getting its ground from the speed control. But when the key was turned on the speed control module got power and was no longer enough ground to pull in the relay.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Gsmblue

Re: Key ignition ground

Yes i do have speed control.

Interesting. I will try cleaning the ground up. Where is that relay located?

kramttocs

Re: Key ignition ground

Administrator

See Figure 2. Just to the right of the steering column.

Mine was due to powercoating the column but I ran a ground strap from one of the two bolts that holds the steering column to the dash to the metal dash support itself as I was also having issues like this.

Quick test would be a wire and alligator clips.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Gsmblue

Re: Key ignition ground

Thanks for the diagram,

I jumped the ground wire to shiny metal on the key cylinder and horn works in all positions so would seem to be the column is not grounded. Very annoying!

I will try a ground strap as you suggested.

Gary Lewis

Re: Key ignition ground

Administrator

In my case the column was grounded but the ground brush under the horn pad wasn't in correctly. So the horn circuit wasn't working properly.

But if you can get it to work with a jumper then that's all you need.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: Key ignition ground

All contacts cleaned, connectors cleaned, jumper installed. Nothing.

Hmm.

Gsmblue

Re: Key ignition ground

There is a ton of aftermarket wiring for the brake controller and CB radio installed on this truck. Trying to trace wires is a nightmare. I am going to pull all the CB wires out.

How is the steering column supposed to be grounded?

I thought that silver pin was the blinker return, not a ground.

kramttocs

Re: Key ignition ground

Administrator

The most direct route I am aware of is through that 2 bolt bracket under the dash, through the bearing to the shaft, to the frame of the steering wheel, and then to the horn button via that wire with a clip that goes into one of the bolt holes.

Do you show ground continuity on the column itself? And the shaft behind the horn button/pad?

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Gsmblue

Re: Key ignition ground

Thanks Scott, I will dig the meter out and check.

Gsmblue

Re: Key ignition ground

I get good continuity from the mouthing brackets to the silver part of the ignition/key and to the outside of the steering column but nothing to the steering shaft.

Good continuity from the mounting bracket to other earth points on the dash frame and chassis as well as from the screws in the clock wheel to the chassis.

Stumped..

Gary Lewis

Re: Key ignition ground

Administrator

Pull the horn pad and check the ground brush.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: Key ignition ground

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

I am seeing comments around the web about people using a jumper over the rag joint. Due to a power steering leak it is a hot mess down there, but maybe that is something I need to consider.