Expert: Paul Wilczynski - 5/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a Grant Steering wheel (just got the car) with one wire coming through it. How am I supposed to hook up the horn? I am very electrically challenged. Thanks

ANSWER: If you've got the stock horn (hopefully) still on the car, then the horn is set up with the ground going through the horn button.

That single wire hooks up to the horn button in the wheel center. Before you hook it up, however, you need to check with a VOM or testing light, to make sure that the horn is still insulated from the body of the car and the hot lead to the horn is intact and fully insulated along its length.

This will insure that the horn will operate without blowing fuses.

--Paul




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I should have mentioned that I had to buy a horn. The original was not there. I guess I am starting from scratch.
I'm not opposed to a different horn button like I've seen before. Either way I need to know how to hook it up so the car will pass inspection. Additionally when I operate the headlights I have one low beam and one hi-beam. When I use the lever to control hi low the lights switch always having on low and one high. Any ideas?

Answer
Did you buy a stock VW horn for a '68? I'll bet you didn't--they are very pricey and usually a dealer order item. So, you'll have to re-create some, if not all, of the wiring.

Anyway, you'll need a VW circuit diagram. In '68 these got a bit more complicated due to the US safety mandates which took hold that year.

The reason your lights are acting up is that someone has switched terminals on either the steering-wheel switch, or in the fusebox itself, for one of the headlights.

Here's the diagram:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/bug_6869.jpg

If you're electrically-challenged, now's the time to roll up your sleeves and learn, or take it to a mechanic who does wiring work. But the diagram is the place to start, and will answer most wiring-related questions.

BTW, if the Grant came with the car, I'd get rid of it in favor of a stock steering wheel. Your arms will thank you, as parking with a small wheel like the Grant is a chore.

--Paul