Ghost horn

[MJB]

So I think I am going a little crazy but, three times in the last two weeks the horn on the van goes on by itself and stay on for 5 to 10 seconds. Its never done it before in almost 2 years. Odd thing is it happens at somewhere between 3:30 and 4:30 in the morning. I've ran out side a quick as possible thinking somebody was trying to steal it. Nothing there, My neighbor has heard it too so he's been up as well, started wearing a little more to bed after the first time. So question is what else. Animals touching the wires grounding it. Checked for loose stuff. Relay fuse but its only at a certain time and not every night. Old alarm I just didn't see anything. Any help with idea's the neighbors will thank you. Other than that I going to have a talk with the garden gnomes across the street, their always smiling at me I think the one with the shovel is the ring leader.

[loki]

So I think I am going a little crazy but, three times in the last two weeks the horn on the van goes on by itself and stay on for 5 to 10 seconds. Its never done it before in almost 2 years. Odd thing is it happens at somewhere between 3:30 and 4:30 in the morning. I've ran out side a quick as possible thinking somebody was trying to steal it. Nothing there, My neighbor has heard it too so he's been up as well, started wearing a little more to bed after the first time. So question is what else. Animals touching the wires grounding it. Checked for loose stuff. Relay fuse but its only at a certain time and not every night. Old alarm I just didn't see anything. Any help with idea's the neighbors will thank you. Other than that I going to have a talk with the garden gnomes across the street, their always smiling at me I think the one with the shovel is the ring leader.

it's the button, the foam that holds the contacts apart starts to disintegrate after 15 or so years. there have been a couple topics about this in the past, you could replace the whole steering wheel with an after market one, replace the switch with a used one that will start to fail in a couple of years too :) and I think some people disassemble the switch housing and put Popsicle sticks or a variety of other things. I'm sure a couple of searches with the search function can turn up some examples.

[Jaz]

Maybe your van idolizes the bus from "Little Miss Sunshine"?



http://www.delica.ca/forum/does-your-mi ... tml#p22736

(Edit: Snap, beaten to the punch by loki!)

[MJB]

thanks for the response, I missed it in the topics before and thought it was something strange happening. so great having this help. Also stops me from having the talk with the garden gnomes cause there's a lot of them.
thanks
Marc

[Jaz]

It's okay, they're probably just ecognomics lecturers, they're always a bit strange...

Good luck getting it sorted, the aftermarket steering wheel option sounds good

[TardisDeli]

Oooh Jaz, ecognomics is a brilliant word. Can't wait to go camping with you both again, learn more brilliant words. Christine.

[Jaz]

Any weekend after September 14 and we should be available

Maybe it's time for a group trip to the Meager Creek hot springs? When is David back?

(Sorry to spam your thread MJB! In keeping with the theme of the thread, here's a word from David Bowie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFoEjAMsmtg)

[FalcoColumbarius]

So I think I am going a little crazy but, three times in the last two weeks the horn on the van goes on by itself and stay on for 5 to 10 seconds. Its never done it before in almost 2 years. Odd thing is it happens at somewhere between 3:30 and 4:30 in the morning. I've ran out side a quick as possible thinking somebody was trying to steal it. Nothing there, My neighbor has heard it too so he's been up as well, started wearing a little more to bed after the first time. So question is what else. Animals touching the wires grounding it. Checked for loose stuff. Relay fuse but its only at a certain time and not every night. Old alarm I just didn't see anything. Any help with idea's the neighbors will thank you. Other than that I going to have a talk with the garden gnomes across the street, their always smiling at me I think the one with the shovel is the ring leader.

Hey Marc... What I perceive is happening, like Loki has, is underneath the horn button covering are two brass plates that are kept apart by a foamy material. I think that the "foamy material" in your horn button has deteriorated to such a degree that the plates are now touching when ever they want to. I am not a specialist ~ but what I did was put two "plastic" coffee stir sticks (a variation on Loki's suggestion) between the plates, in a fashion that allows the middle of the upper plate to touch the bottom plate if depressed. When you open it up you will see what I mean.

Hope this adds to the solution... smiles.

Falco.

[MJB]

It was the the foam underneath or lack of, somebody had already had the problem and tried adhesive to hold it apart. So plastic seems to work for now. I'll have to start thinking about a new steering wheel.
Jaz very nice with the early Bowie
thanks again

[jwfchase]

just did this very fix yesterday... chunks of the inner jacket of a firehose... don't forget the setscrew under the steering wheel though!