Austin Ten Drivers Club

I have a 37 10/4 that I am slowly dismantling in preparation for a rebuild. This last weekend I took off the radiator and surrounding grill panel and found four wires leading from the loom into the steering box. The books I have show a close up of the steering box which shows all the parts, the picture shows the cable but doesn't explain what it is or what it's for. The wiring diagrams that I have don't show them either. So I'm somewhat flummoxed as what the wires are for, can anyone help?

Hi,
Semaphores and horn operated from the steering wheel centre.

Artington wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2026 1:46 am

The wiring diagrams that I have don't show them either. So I'm somewhat flummoxed as what the wires are for, can anyone help?

The wiring diagram should show a horn button & switch with 4 wires - Fig 83 page 110 in The Book of the Austin Ten edited by Staton Abbey & published in Pitman's Motoring Library well into the 1950s.

If have not got one of these they are plentiful and cheap & provide a handy reference for most things involved in running & maintaining an Austin Ten. Indeed there may be more of these books in circulation than there are surviving Tens!

If you would like a Pitmans Book of the Austin 10, I will send you one free if you give me your address. Wont be in very good condition but useful. I have about 5 collected or donated over many years!
emtpnt@hotmail.com
Cheers

Thanks for that Phil but I have two myself. It just didn’t occur to me that the wires for the horn etc would travel up the length of the steering column. Although now I know it makes sense.

Cheers

unlike the other wires in the column, the horn wire connects the horn earth wire when pushed

stephen_voller wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 16, 2026 6:35 pm

unlike the other wires in the column, the horn wire connects the horn earth wire when pushed

Which is also why the horn is mounted on an insulated bracket.