OEM horns died...AGAIN!

That's why I bought them, that and Hella's quality reputation. There are no wires (or air hoses) to run, just cut the stock wire, strip and add a pair of disconnects. I don't think they were included but they cost just a few cents apiece. In the pic below the screw head right behind the pink disconnects is the original screw for the stock horn, and the black bracket mounted there and attached to the back of the Hella horn comes with the kit.



Mounted where the stockers go they're both as far forward as possible and pointing forward so very little to reflect and/or attenuate the sound.

 

Pulled the cover today for other reasons. As you can see it would definitely be easier to do this way. In fact I can't see how you'd get the old horns out or the new horns in through that upper access hole...I'd say it's necessary to remove the cover.

 

I can't tell where mine were made. I haven't done any research on these horns since I bought them (well before 2008 in case that actually matters) so I ran a few searches. Seems opinions vary. Most reviews I read said they work great but a few disagree and point at the India connection as the cause. No way to know whether those who've had problems really know what they're talking about or are just parroting claims made by others.

I'm actually more confused by a few comments about installing the "included" relay. I didn't see any listings that said a relay is included. This matches my experience as I received none (and used same :wink: ).

 

Don't have one and can't create one at the moment. The car will be in upgrade/maint mode in the garage on stands and ramps for awhile longer and doesn't have a battery installed. I'll try to remember when I get it put back together.

Well, a horn's job is to attract attention...one way or another. I like Hella's description.

 

Might want to check out Hella's online catalogue.

If you click down through the layers of the list to the top-left (Electrics > Horns > Electromagnetic > Supertone) you'll find two 12 Volt kits, each with its own article number. A quick comparison shows that other than different packaging the only other notable difference is under "Country of Origin." One says IN, the other says DE. If they moved their manufacturing entirely to India I can't imagine why they would still list both unless it's just for reference.

Also check the 24 V kit. Also says country of origin is DE, and that's the only 24 V kit listed. Either they stopped making a 24 V version (possible, there aren't a lot of them around) or they didn't really move all manufacturing to India.

I've still not personally seen any evidence the "made in India" label tells you anything useful about the quality but at least the catalog provides a part number reference.

 

Yup, which I've already been thinking about. Tell me you can't imagine this scenario occurring.

Young Dipsht inherits the family's hand-me-down Civic from his older sister, spends his life savings on a big wing and a sub box, and then wonders what he can afford to do next with the allowance Mommy gives him. After adding a dozen 2F2F type product stickers and rattle-canning the wheels (and tires) red, his friend tells him about the Hellyeah horns he just put on his hand-me-down Corolla. It's so easy, even Dipsht thinks he can do it! He orders the cheapest set he can find without paying attention to the 24 V biz. Or he sees it and doesn't know why he should care. Or, more likely IMO, he thinks it's like subwoofer wattage or SPL and figures "24 volts is twice as good as 12 volts!" Then he installs the horns and his friends laugh at the anemic noise they make so he goes online to post complaints about how weak they are.