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Old 10-01-2014, 12:42 PM   #1
sconnors
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Default 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
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Old 10-01-2014, 12:58 PM   #2
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

Thank you for recording your work... great job!
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Old 10-01-2014, 01:10 PM   #3
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

Nice to know it's back together and working. What's next??
Paul in CT
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Old 10-01-2014, 01:23 PM   #4
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

Does this mean you are not selling the truck cheap now ???
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Old 10-01-2014, 01:28 PM   #5
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

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Does this mean you are not selling the truck cheap now ???
LOL No I'm keepin her!!
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Old 10-01-2014, 04:48 PM   #6
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

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Originally Posted by mshmodela View Post
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!
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Old 10-01-2014, 04:52 PM   #7
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Default 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.
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Old 10-01-2014, 05:33 PM   #8
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

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Originally Posted by Jim M View Post
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.
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Old 10-01-2014, 06:48 PM   #9
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Default 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
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Old 10-01-2014, 06:53 PM   #10
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

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Originally Posted by tbirdtbird View Post
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!!
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Old 10-01-2014, 07:29 PM   #11
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Default 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.
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Old 10-01-2014, 07:50 PM   #12
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

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Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
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!
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Old 10-01-2014, 10:40 PM   #13
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

glad to see you got it done.
bob
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Old 10-01-2014, 11:51 PM   #14
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

Nice Video, Thanks!
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Old 10-02-2014, 08:27 AM   #15
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Default Re: Video - Horn Rod Light Switch - FIXED!!

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Nice Video, Thanks!
Thanks for the compliment! Hope it helps others out.
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