my horn is weak
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Yes, the C4 horns are weak. I bought hellas and I'm happy with them. 
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
Mine were weak also. I think they get full of debris being mounted so low. I went to a salvage yard and found a pair off an 84 Olds Cutlass for $10. I had to modify the brackets and connectors but I've got horn now. I think any off an early 80s GM car will work. Be sure to take the connect plug with the horns because it will probably be different.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
Before you spend money on horns that you will have to make fit...
A horn is sorta like a little loudspeaker. It has a diaphragm and a voice coil. Over time, dirt and moisture penetrate the interior and inhibit the motion of the diaphragm assembly.
You will find a small adjustment screw on one side of the horn. Remove it and squirt some of your favorite penetrating oil in there. I would suggest doing this with the horn removed so that you can work the oil around. A few light taps with a plastic hammer might also help.
This has worked for me. Write back if it helps you.
A horn is sorta like a little loudspeaker. It has a diaphragm and a voice coil. Over time, dirt and moisture penetrate the interior and inhibit the motion of the diaphragm assembly.
You will find a small adjustment screw on one side of the horn. Remove it and squirt some of your favorite penetrating oil in there. I would suggest doing this with the horn removed so that you can work the oil around. A few light taps with a plastic hammer might also help.
This has worked for me. Write back if it helps you.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 448
From: Upstate NY
I had the same problem with mine, adjusted & WD-40'd them. They got a little better... for about a week.
I bought replacements from NAPA, with a nice universal bracket and people hear me now....especially when they do something wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
I thought the horns were weak 7 years ago when I got the car. I think I checked the horns at that time and both were working and just decided that’s just the way they sounded. Never gave it to much thought, don’t use it to much. Just watch out the others and try to drive defensively out of a mess.
The thing is, this is only my opinion, I have not heard anyone's else's horn. But my opinion is based on my other cars and life's experience.
The thing is, this is only my opinion, I have not heard anyone's else's horn. But my opinion is based on my other cars and life's experience.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Smyrna ga
Before you spend money on horns that you will have to make fit...
A horn is sorta like a little loudspeaker. It has a diaphragm and a voice coil. Over time, dirt and moisture penetrate the interior and inhibit the motion of the diaphragm assembly.
You will find a small adjustment screw on one side of the horn. Remove it and squirt some of your favorite penetrating oil in there. I would suggest doing this with the horn removed so that you can work the oil around. A few light taps with a plastic hammer might also help.
This has worked for me. Write back if it helps you.
A horn is sorta like a little loudspeaker. It has a diaphragm and a voice coil. Over time, dirt and moisture penetrate the interior and inhibit the motion of the diaphragm assembly.
You will find a small adjustment screw on one side of the horn. Remove it and squirt some of your favorite penetrating oil in there. I would suggest doing this with the horn removed so that you can work the oil around. A few light taps with a plastic hammer might also help.
This has worked for me. Write back if it helps you.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 5
From: West Palm Beach FL
I have an 84.....the horn on the right side doesnt work...only the left side.....i was thinking of grabbing a set of caddillac horns from salvage....they seem to always be VERY loud. What do you think??
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Before you spend money on horns that you will have to make fit...
A horn is sorta like a little loudspeaker. It has a diaphragm and a voice coil. Over time, dirt and moisture penetrate the interior and inhibit the motion of the diaphragm assembly.
You will find a small adjustment screw on one side of the horn. Remove it and squirt some of your favorite penetrating oil in there. I would suggest doing this with the horn removed so that you can work the oil around. A few light taps with a plastic hammer might also help.
This has worked for me. Write back if it helps you.
A horn is sorta like a little loudspeaker. It has a diaphragm and a voice coil. Over time, dirt and moisture penetrate the interior and inhibit the motion of the diaphragm assembly.
You will find a small adjustment screw on one side of the horn. Remove it and squirt some of your favorite penetrating oil in there. I would suggest doing this with the horn removed so that you can work the oil around. A few light taps with a plastic hammer might also help.
This has worked for me. Write back if it helps you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
Weak? Mine would not wake up a cat sleeping on the hood. For $35-40you can get a Wolo air horn at Harbor Freight. I have one on my motorcycle, a mod that a lot of riders do because it's pretty nice to get Escalade-driving Suzie soccer mom's attention when she is yakking on her cell phone.
The only downside is when you want to give a gentle beep to someone dozing at a red light. Ain't nothing gentle about it. They'll think a Peterbilt is bearing down on them.
Oh, yes...don't test it in the garage unless you are wearing fresh Depends.
You can use the existing horn wire to activate the relay, but current to drive the air compressor should be drawn directly from the battery with heavier wiring.
The only downside is when you want to give a gentle beep to someone dozing at a red light. Ain't nothing gentle about it. They'll think a Peterbilt is bearing down on them.
Oh, yes...don't test it in the garage unless you are wearing fresh Depends.
You can use the existing horn wire to activate the relay, but current to drive the air compressor should be drawn directly from the battery with heavier wiring.