Volkswagen Repair: turn signal repair, copper ring, signal mechanism

Question
Rocky;
I recently purchased a 1967 volkswagen beetle which I wish to do all repairs (when needed) to.  My turn signal mechanism was slipping so I repaired it............needless to say I placed the steering wheel back on and afixed all screws attached to my horn ring but for some reason the horn remains blaring when I screw the horn screw in? I have never done this before and am sorry I didn't take photo's when I dismantled but could I be placing the copper ring in wrong?  Thanks for any assistance. I've looked in repair manuals but they don't show any good photo's of how this should have been reassembled.

Bobbi

Answer
Hi Bobbi;
The horn operates when the button is pushed, and "closes" the ground side of the circuit.  When you reinstalled the steering wheel, did you turn it to a different position on the steering shaft?  (Inadvertently, of course.)  On more modern Volkswagens, for the air bag circuits, there is a part called the "slip ring" that maintains "continuity" with the "ground" on the car.  In your model Volkswagen, I think it was a simple "wiper," like a spring loaded, or spring tensioned little tab of metal that slides on the outside edge of the steering shaft, inside the cover over the steering column.  If you replaced the steering wheel, and pinched that tab of metal that would maintain contact with the backside of the steering wheel, and energize the horn circuit all of the time.  There should also be another ring made of plastic for installation under the copper ring so the button is isolated from the rest of the circuit.  I think that you probably installed the wheel correctly, but maybe forgot about the insulator before installing the copper ring.  look for that insulation piece before tearing the whole job apart.  I hope this helps you get your "Bug" back on the road.  Good luck, Bobbi!