Electrical: '50 Commander: 2 issues--horn and directionals

[southbend]

1. The factory accessory directionals quit working on the '50 Land Cruiser. I think I might have knocked something loose when I was fiddling under the dash trying to figure out how to lube the speedometer cable (see: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ow-do-you-lube) because they worked fine before that. Suggestions on troubleshooting?

2. Short in the horn. Goes off without warning only occasionally when steering/turning the steering wheel. Stays on until I move the wheel. I don't even have to come close to touching the horn ring for this to happen. Not a huge issue, but it sure is a little embarrassing at times. Suggestions on troubleshooting?

As always, thanks for your help.

[unclemiltie]

1)The flasher and base are under the dash, I would start by looking at it to see if a wire is off like the one that supplys power.

2)Sounds like you need to replace the horn wire that goes down the center of the steering column. They wear and the cloth covering falls off. If you pull the horn button you may get lucky and see something wrong with the contacts but it is more likely the wire

[northern]

Not sure if your horn is the same as on a '54. If it has that black foam piece with the three ceramic tubes that go through the foam, you might want to replace the foam and/or the ceramic tubes. The horn on my '54 was not connected when I got the car. I did get it working, using a number of parts that I made up myself, but it then would go off unexpectedly. After installing new foam and ceramic tubes, it seems to work well. The new foam puts more outward pressure on the horn button and ring, preventing unwanted honking.

[jclary]

Not sure if your horn is the same as on a '54. If it has that black foam piece with the three ceramic tubes that go through the foam, you might want to replace the foam and/or the ceramic tubes. The horn on my '54 was not connected when I got the car. I did get it working, using a number of parts that I made up myself, but it then would go off unexpectedly. After installing new foam and ceramic tubes, it seems to work well. The new foam puts more outward pressure on the horn button and ring, preventing unwanted honking.

Excellent points. That covers the "Steering wheel" location. Another quick check...raise your hood and test the flexibility of your lower back by bending over the fender, locate the end of your steering gear box, and wiggle the wire where it exits the box. If your horn blows, it is a good possibility that the insulation has cracked off there and the bare wire is grounding at that point. In that case, nothing you do at the steering wheel end will help. You will need to either patch the wire there with new (heat shrink) insulation, or remove and replace it.

[southbend]

Excellent points. That covers the "Steering wheel" location. Another quick check...raise your hood and test the flexibility of your lower back by bending over the fender, locate the end of your steering gear box, and wiggle the wire where it exits the box. If your horn blows, it is a good possibility that the insulation has cracked off there and the bare wire is grounding at that point. In that case, nothing you do at the steering wheel end will help. You will need to either patch the wire there with new (heat shrink) insulation, or remove and replace it.

I barely had to touch the wire where it exits the steering box and the horns went off. That must be it. Thanks! I do suggest wearing a pair of earplugs when conducting this test. Wish I had.

Regarding the directionals, when I had my hand up behind the dashboard this afternoon trying to locate the pinhole to lube so as to cure a jumpy speedometer needle (see: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ow-do-you-lube) , the 3- pronged directional flasher cannister fell to the floorboard. It must have been loose. Problem is, I didn't see it fall so I don't know what it plugs in to. According to the Chassis Parts Catalog, the flasher plugs into the back of the "Harness and Sockets" part # 526549. I'm pretty dense, so I need help in identifying exactly where this "Harness and Socket" is located behind the dash, but I can't seem to make the connection between the illustration on pg. 90 Plate 06-2 and what's actually in the car. If someone could post a photo, this would help me immensely. For me, a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks for helping somebody who probably has no business owning a hobby car, let alone two of them. And maybe three--I'm now looking at a '38 State Commander 4 door. Somebody please, please stop me!