Horn and turn signal laws...

PoisonDrop · Post by **PoisonDrop** » June 14th, 2005, 11:02 pm

Does anyone know if the horn and turn signals are REQUIRED to be on the steering column? I live in Florida, but I could go for just a general answer on any laws like that you guys may know of...

The reason is that my switches on the steering column are dead. None of them work...except the horn. SO...instead of replacing them I decided to try something new and put the signals, lights, and wipers on toggle switches in the dash under the radio.

Probably should have asked before I did it, but oh well...any of you guys know anything about this...you think that's legal (as long as everything functions properly)?

PoisonDrop · Post by **PoisonDrop** » June 14th, 2005, 11:04 pm

Oh yeah since the steering column switches aren't there anymore, I can't wire up the horn, because the wire would get all twisted when I turn the wheel. I was thinking of putting a button with the rest of the switches.

So the main question is...does the horn HAVE to be located on the steering wheel by law?

LooseChangeRacing · Post by **LooseChangeRacing** » June 15th, 2005, 8:57 am

No i dont know the law, and I think it would be hard to find, but anyway, I would think, if you have a good mechanic and can get it inspected, you'll be fine, becuase a cop isnt going to notice. I mean my friend had a custom dash where the gauges were in the center turned facing him and as long as he got it inspected the cops didn't care. Anyway, I would think it would be illegal becuase of the extra effort in using the functions, they are on the steering wheel so instead of slamming into the back of a car becuse you have to reach for your horn button you can just slam it.

reaper of souls · Post by **reaper of souls** » June 15th, 2005, 7:50 pm

i'm pretty sure the horn dosn't matter i know you wont get harassed for your turn signals as long as they work i was driving around for a year and a half in my escort with no horn but did have a bummer sticker that said "horn dosn't work watch for finger"

PoisonDrop · Post by **PoisonDrop** » June 15th, 2005, 9:27 pm

That's what I was thinking/hoping. I still have a horn button in the center of the wheel, but it doesn't do anything. The NEW horn button is in the blank panel by the interior dimmer and mirror ajustments. They are still within arm's reach, and they still work, so I hope I don't have any problems.

Thanks for your input!

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » June 15th, 2005, 10:31 pm

I had to have the State Patrol inspect a car once.. the guy inspecting my car was outside the car the entire time checking to make sure all lights worked and the horn sounded when he asked for it.. he never once looked to see where the controls for any of it were located. I have a feeling that this is one of those "Dont mention it and they wont ask" kind of things

Tunes67

neutral · Post by **neutral** » June 15th, 2005, 11:08 pm

I didn't think FLA had an annual, or even a one-time vehicle safety inspection requirement but that applies maybe 10 yrs. ago. Still true? If so, you're good there. Probably ok too if ever pulled over for some safety thing as long as the horn works. Though I'd want the horn in a more accessible spot for quickest reaction but that's me. Too many drivers in my area are cell-phone-preoccupied-drift-out-of-lane-at-freeway-speed-road-menaces so the horn gets used. (Mine's a dual air horn..

)

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » June 15th, 2005, 11:17 pm

Yeah I end up using my horn too frequently around here as well.. I need to get one a bit beefier though.. to me the horns in the MX-3 remind me of the Roadrunner from the WB cartoons. "Meep Meep" just doesnt really say "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY" very convincingly

Tunes67

tw1st3d_cl0wn · Post by **tw1st3d_cl0wn** » June 16th, 2005, 9:47 am

Yeah, I find when I DO use my horn, half the time people either don't hear it, or it's too wimpy sounding for people to take it seriously. Now, my father, who owns a Ford Excursion, installed an air horn, sounds like an 18-wheeler or something. THAT gets people's attention!!

My mx-3 looks like a little toy matchbox car when parked next to his.

In FL there really aren't inspections, we don't even do the emissions test anymore. I wouldn't worry about the location of the horn and signals. The only time my car was ever checked for the horn and signals was when I let someone use it to take their driving test. (yeah, I tend to trust people a little too much

)

PoisonDrop · Post by **PoisonDrop** » June 16th, 2005, 2:34 pm

tw1st3d_cl0wn wrote:Yeah, I find when I DO use my horn, half the time people either don't hear it, or it's too wimpy sounding for people to take it seriously.

That's how it is around here. In FLA, Tampa especially, I have found, people don't really care about horns. If I blow the horn, people react like "What an a** hole" more than actually paying attention to their careless driving.

Maybe a better sounding horn would do the trick. I agree...our horns from the factory DO sound like Road Runner. Meep-meep! Tends to make people laugh more that get out of the way

tw1st3d_cl0wn · Post by **tw1st3d_cl0wn** » June 16th, 2005, 3:03 pm

Yeah, it's the same here on the east coast of FL. I don't even really use it anymore to be honest. You honk your horn and they think you're wanting to say hi or something, like they think it's someone they know wanting to get their attention. Freakin' morons.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » June 16th, 2005, 3:58 pm

PoisonDrop wrote:Oh yeah since the steering column switches aren't there anymore, I can't wire up the horn, because the wire would get all twisted when I turn the wheel. I was thinking of putting a button with the rest of the switches.
So the main question is...does the horn HAVE to be located on the steering wheel by law?

It appears you have major wiring problems and doing patchwork repairs and bastardizing that harness can only lead to other serious issues. I'm going to assume that you or the previous owner did a steering wheel change which was probably the catalyst to pooching the wiring in the first place. You may not like to hear this but, if you can't integrate an after-market steering wheel effectively than it may be in your best interest to scrap that idea until a better after-market solution presents itself. Get the old steering wheel back on and all of the original turn signal and headlight switches. If you need to replace those pieces than the J/Y should do the trick. Probably best to set it back to spec set-up before you snowball into more problems or snags or worse, start an interior electrical fire. Why take the chance. And you'll never have to worry about being compliant with vehicle regulations. Another thing to consider is that if you continue to proceed with the patchwork wiring and ever decide to sell it later on.....well good luck...can't see anyone touching a car who's jerry-rigged the horn, lights and turn signals. It may cost you abit to set things correct now, but it sure makes for worry free driving later on. In the end, it's your call. Good luck.

freyguy_412 · Post by **freyguy_412** » June 16th, 2005, 6:56 pm

My horn in my old Yota quit working at around 215,000 miles. Instead of trying to trace wires, test relays, basically risk "fubar"ing the system even more, I found a horn button that fit in the cigarette lighter hole (damn it looked oem lol) and wired up one of those cheezy a-- "Oooga" horns from pepboys to it. Ah yes, my old high school days.............

I think it's fine to have the switches anywhere you can reach them. As long as they work I don't think it's even something the law has considered regulating.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » June 16th, 2005, 11:34 pm

freyguy_412 wrote:"Oooga"

PoisonDrop · Post by **PoisonDrop** » June 17th, 2005, 1:18 pm

Actually, I DO have an aftermarket wheel, but everything worked forever with it installed. I just want a custom look...there is no real electrical reason why I want toggle switches. I had a a relay problem a few years ago, but replacing the relay fixed that. In the end, I just wanted to customize the column and dash area more. I don't think it will cause any problems, seeing as how I have a degree in electrical engineering.

The wiring is nothing like "patchwork." It all uses the stock harnesses and fits into the stock wiring diagram fully without any modifications. The switches just look different and are in different places.

I guess my reason is...well the whole thing started because I just didn't like the look of those "levers" sticking out of my column, so I decided to relocate them and fiberglass a new column cover. I think it looks better, personally, and it all works the same with no problems.