Horn Confusion

The attached pic of the signal switch is from my '63. I'm perplexed by how the horn works. It must be from the signal switch rather than the push button on the wheel, correct?

When I have the switch loose from the column, I can touch that copper tab to the column and get the horn to work. When I reattach it, no horn even though the tab is still in contact with the column. The signal lever can be pulled back toward the wheel and I've assumed that's how the horn is activated but I don't understand how it's working. Is pulling on the lever actually creating the ground since the tab is in constant contact with the column? Also, then, what's the purpose of the push horn? On other models was the purple/black wire connected to the push button instead of the signal?

I'm not good at understanding what I am seeing in photos like this.

I think some years the horn was operated with the smart switch. (??)

but it sure wasn't 1963.

The horn button works by grounding a copper feeler against the steering shaft. You push the button it pushes the feeler into contact with the disc beneath it.

I changed the wheel on my 73 and didn't position stuff right and the horn doesn't work. Gotta go back in there RSN<G>

I'm still new to the world of MG's, but on my 1980 the horn is activated by pushing the signal switch in toward the steering column. Don't know if the older ones worked that way or not?

Check your manual, there should be a small metal cylinder, horn brush, that is found under the horn button in the center of the steering wheel. When you push the horn this cylinder completes the circuit an activates the horns. Look in VB Page 134, or there abouts, and there is a schematic for the steering wheel assembly, part 60 is what you need, I think....

What you are showing in the photo is the horn brush. If it was the same in 63 as on my 73B, it rubs against a brass ring mounted to the back side of the steering wheel. The strip brush you show mounts in such a way (sorry, been a while since I had mine apart and I don't remember exactly) as to allow the nibbed tip to press on the steering wheel ring. No matter how you rotate the steering wheel the nib keeps contact with the ring.

As you have discovered horn activation is achieved by bringing this brush strip to ground. To do that contact has to be made to ground when depressing the horn button in the cetner of the steering wheel. This is done through the approx. 3" long spring loaded pin that makes contact with the front side of that same brass ring described above. When you depress the horn button it pushes down on the spring loaded pin, completeing the circuit from the brass ring to ground via the horn button mounting clips.

BH

Horn button on turn signal arm when pushed should blow horn. It acatually grounds the circuit thru the horns. the other side of the horns purple wire has 12 volts on it. The purple white wire is the wire that goes to column and horn circuit

Thanks all. I've found the horn slip ring and contact in both the Moss and VB catalogs. I'm sure now that it's necessary for the horn to be activated from the center horn button. If that's the case, I'm still a little confused by the signal lever activation and I'm now wondering if the signal switch was not original to the car. Maybe someone added the switch instead of replacing the slip ring?

The wire comes through the switch wiring harness......just passes through......the switch has no effect on it.

BH

63 B didnt have horn button origianally it was activated by pushing end of turn signal I think.

Horn push was on the hub from '62 to '67. Turn switch from '68 to '70 and hub again '71 to '76.

The forward/back switch motion is the high/low beam switch. On those with a horn included, the horn was activated by pusing the end in towards the steering column.

62-67 horn. The arm on the ts switch unit makes constant contact with a copper band on the steering column shaft. The horn is activated by pushing the MG in the center of the steering wheel. A horn brush is found in the center of the steering shaft and when the MG is pushed will complete the curcuit.