[T3] Horn Issue

[Gary Forsmo]

Jim ... (and all who have commented or read this "Non-working Horn thread)
------------⁴
Maybe I was unclear with my recollection about replacing my stock VW Clock.
Let me try to be more specific.

1.)  When (probably in the '80's) my clock would not keep time, .....

(That was long before I met Jim A. in 2010 or was aware there was a website
[year?] of VW Type 3 Owners who "pooled" there knowledge with each other)

... I removed the clock from the dash.

2)  Because I had limited knowledge, skill or the ability to properly
maintain my '69 Square, I mostly  depended on VW dealers for service &
repair.

3.)  When the clock quit working and I had neither the skill, time or money
to "fix" it.

4.)  However, I did find a trusted, competent jeweler in my hometown that
assured me that he could replace the clockworks with a single AA
BATTERY-POWERED clock and still retain the original "look" of the clock
face, hands, etc.  I did that.

5.)  When I removed the OEM VW clock from the dash, I probably
5a.) disconnected the spade/power source connector wire.

I (almost) NEVER throw anything away.
I may have that non-functionig clockworks in my stash of VW parts.

Bottom line Question ...

A.)  By disconnecting that 12VDC power source wire from the original
clockworks & B.)  Because that 12-volt wire under the dash, is probably
still there ...

... Here's the crucial question ...

C.)  Have I unintentionally "modified" the original wiring to the extent
that it also has affected other functions ... like the HORN?  Dome light?
Flashers? Back Up lights?  Other components?

Gary F. - Oregon WI

On Sun, Feb 1, 2026, 9:04 AM Jim Adney <jadney at vwtype3.org> wrote:

> On 31 Jan 2026 at 18:56, Gary Forsmo wrote:
>
> > *IF* (big IF) the original electrical wire & connector (which is now
> > disconnected) also goes to the clock-winding circuit & also powers other
> > functions like the Emergency Flashers(?), Dome Light(?), Horn, etc. ...
> > could that possibly be why my horn is non-functioning?
>
> Oh, right, add Emergency Flashers to the list of things that need full
> time
> power.
>
> While the guts of your clock have been replaced with something more
> modern, and I wish I knew how to do that, I believe the new guts still
> receive
> power from the original wire. (There's no battery in your clock, is
> there?) I
> know I've looked at it while doing other stuff on your car, but didn't
> have time
> to do a detailed inspection. I'd like to, someday.
>
> I doubt if your clock conversion changed anything else. We can certainly
> look at this come warmer weather.
>
> --
> *******************************
> Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
> Madison, Wisconsin, USA
> *******************************
>
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