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-   -   Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!! (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150929)

sconnors 10-01-2014 12:42 PM

Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE ATTACHED VIDEO:


http://youtu.be/BjHpVp40tyg


After a few days off I got back at it today and got it fixed! So briefly here’s what I did step by step and this is also documented in the attached video in case anyone needs it or for future reference.

1. First thing I did was to sand down the entire horn rod to make it easier to fit inside the column
2. Cleaned the hole in the steering wheel with a round file, not much but just enough to clean any debris out
3. I used my old spider that was in the truck instead of the new one I bought
4. The new top light switch housing would not stay up in the steering column. So I opted to use my old light switch housing top and the new bottom. NOTE: I had to use a Dremel to file down the two tabs on the bottom of the new housing so it would fit and turn into the top of the old housing. Go slow here if you have to do this and keep checking the fit.
5. After everything was back in I had to keep adjusting the bail wire to make sure it kept the light switch housing in the column tight. The key is to make sure the tab that slides up into the column from the top part of the switch STAYS in the column and doesn’t slip out. This took several tries of trial and error of bending the bail wire and putting it back in
6. I now have parking lights, low beam, high beam, horn and the light switch doesn’t turn when you turn the wheel.

So in retrospect I had several issues going on. The first was that some of the repro parts I bought were garbage which taught me the lesson to use original parts whenever possible. The second issue was that the horn rod DID need to be sanded the entire length and not just at the top and bottom. The third was that the bail wire needs to hold that switch firmly up in the column.

Hope the video was informative and helps some folks out in the future.
Scott

mshmodela 10-01-2014 12:58 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Thank you for recording your work... great job!

1931 flamingo 10-01-2014 01:10 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Nice to know it's back together and working. What's next?? :D:D
Paul in CT

Bill in NJ 10-01-2014 01:23 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Does this mean you are not selling the truck cheap now ???

sconnors 10-01-2014 01:28 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill in NJ (Post 954929)
Does this mean you are not selling the truck cheap now ???

LOL No I'm keepin her!!

sconnors 10-01-2014 04:48 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshmodela (Post 954920)
Thank you for recording your work... great job!

Thanks for the compliment. You know sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, so I thought making a video might come in handy for other people if they encounter the same problem. Hope it helps and please feel free to share! :)

Jim M 10-01-2014 04:52 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Wow - wish I had that last week! Would have saved me from having too many cocktails that night.....lol. I finally got it figured out but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words so a video must be worth an encyclopedia. Thanks to all the guys who help us 70 yr old newbies.

sconnors 10-01-2014 05:33 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim M (Post 955023)
Wow - wish I had that last week! Would have saved me from having too many cocktails that night.....lol. I finally got it figured out but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words so a video must be worth an encyclopedia. Thanks to all the guys who help us 70 yr old newbies.

Well thanks for the kind words!!! Hopefully the video will at least help some folks who pull that light switch etc apart for the first time. Tried to outline what all the parts are and how they fit together.

tbirdtbird 10-01-2014 06:48 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

have no fear future Barners with the same problem will not search here at all but just start a new thread.

We should make stickies or FAQs of the best vids of which your is one

sconnors 10-01-2014 06:53 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird (Post 955101)
have no fear future Barners with the same problem will not search here at all but just start a new thread.

We should make stickies or FAQs of the best vids of which your is one

Tbird,
Thanks for the high praise!! Figured if my video can save someone else all the time I spent then it was worth shooting it and explaining what was going on!!

700rpm 10-01-2014 07:29 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

I think the lessons here are:

Use original parts when you can, every time.
Don't hesitate to ask for advice.
Be patient and keep trying.
Don't assume your problem has only one cause, but investigate solutions one at a time (scientific method).

A final word of advice: keep a notebook as you work through a problem so you have a record of what worked and what didn't (scientific method again). The next time you have the same problem you'll know what to do.

sconnors 10-01-2014 07:50 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm (Post 955132)
I think the lessons here are:

Use original parts when you can, every time.
Don't hesitate to ask for advice.
Be patient and keep trying.
Don't assume your problem has only one cause, but investigate solutions one at a time (scientific method).

A final word of advice: keep a notebook as you work through a problem so you have a record of what worked and what didn't (scientific method again). The next time you have the same problem you'll know what to do.

Absolutely on the notebook! I have one right next to the workbench!

Brentwood Bob 10-01-2014 10:40 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

glad to see you got it done.
bob

Fullraceflathead 10-01-2014 11:51 PM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Nice Video, Thanks!

sconnors 10-02-2014 08:27 AM

Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead (Post 955258)
Nice Video, Thanks!

Thanks for the compliment! Hope it helps others out.


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