Paul,
I just fixed this on Monday.  You need to purchase the contact ring that
snaps on to the underside of your steering wheel.  The whole job took about
15 minutes.  The problem with the design is the grease dries up and the two
brass contacts wear away at each other until you loose your horn.  The part
lists for around $18.00 and I think it actually cost me $13.00 with my
discount at the dealer.  If you have any questions let me know.

Good luck,
Doug
'86 GL Westy
Maryland

>Hello All,
>
>My faithful '84 Vanagon has a dangerous habit. The horn does not work
>when the steering wheel is centered, like when going straight down a
>road, but when it is turned around 30 degrees, it starts to work
>again.
>
>I traced the horn button ground wires down the steering column, and
>they seem to end at a 13mm bolt holding the column to a steering
>gearbox. What I can't figure is how the ground is actually being
>completed.
>
>Any ideas on this would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>Paul
>
>Paul Henderson
>pgh@unx.dec.com
>148K miles
>'84 Vanagon WasserBoxer
>Bedminster, NJ, USA