Hey Superman, I got your e-mail. There is an website out there that gives a clear explanation on how the horn works. The writer of this site addresses the problem that you describe by saying, quote: "If your horn sounds all by itself and embarrasses you, you probably have some short between the steering wheel hub, shaft, or tube and chassis ground. Sometimes this happens within the turn signal switch and the horn sounds when the wheel is turned just right". If you want to check out the rest of the article just click on this link: http://thebugshop.org/gotech.htm
I know that on my 70 bug if my horn did what yours does I would be concentrating on the brown wire that is the ground for the circuit. Maybe the wires insulation has worn off during the years causing it to touch the inside of the steering column tube. Or, the wire is loose at it's connection point causing the ground wire to make contact with the steering column.
Anyway, I would click on the link above and scroll down to the 'Electrical Related' section. It clearly explains the workings of the horn. Once you see how the horn system works you might be able to figure out what's wrong with yours.
PS. On 71 and older Beetles the horns electrical system is different. The steering column is grounded by a short wire that bypasses the steering coupling's flexible disk. When the horn control is depresssed, it is grounded against the steering wheel contact ring. A wire from the horn control to the slip ring grounds the horn circuit contact spring that is connected to the horn's brown ground wire.
Good luck.
Last edited by luvsbugs (2005-10-06 23:59:34)
Patrick
Owner of a 1970 Beetle. Minus all the rust and most of my money.