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Old 10-21-2018, 06:29 PM   #1
stage2stance
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2003 WRX
PSM

Default Hella Supertones only make noise when I release the horn

I installed Hella Supertones only to find that they produce a weak honking noise once I REMOVE my hand from the horn button. The horns are certainly not as loud as they are supposed to be, and I must've wired them up incorrectly.

I am using a 12V 4 pin 30A/40A SPDT standard automotive relay, with a 15 amp fuse in between the positive of my battery and my relay, wired as such:

85 to ground
86 to stock horn wire
30 to positive battery terminal
87 to positive horn terminal

Also, this set up is in conjunction with the stock horn relay.

As far as my research tells me, this is a very common/correct way of setting up these horns, can someone help me out? I've attached a video showing what happens when I press the horn on my car:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0o4r6isv1q...44416.mp4?dl=0
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Old 10-28-2018, 03:36 PM   #2
stage2stance
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Any ideas? I'm stumped!
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Old 10-29-2018, 09:21 PM   #3
Charlie-III
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1998 Legacy 2.5GT
Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT

Default

Quick look, looks fine.
I can't see your link, could be my iPad though.
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Old 10-30-2018, 01:11 AM   #4
lookylookitzadam
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Have you tested the Hella horns to make sure they both work? Just hook them up to power and ground to make sure they work.

Other quick test would be to use a multimeter on your spade connectors at each horn to make sure you're getting 12V when pressing.
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Old 11-01-2018, 11:59 PM   #5
stage2stance
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lookylookitzadam View Post
Have you tested the Hella horns to make sure they both work? Just hook them up to power and ground to make sure they work.

Other quick test would be to use a multimeter on your spade connectors at each horn to make sure you're getting 12V when pressing.
So I hooked one up directly to the battery, and it just makes a quick chirp when the contact Is made and that's it. I took them apart and they look great, super clean and no corrosion. Plus a horn mechanism is so basic it's hard for it to really degrade besides corrosion. What do you think is the problem at this point? Bad wires?
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Old 11-02-2018, 08:34 AM   #6
Charlie-III
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stage2stance View Post
So I hooked one up directly to the battery, and it just makes a quick chirp when the contact Is made and that's it. I took them apart and they look great, super clean and no corrosion. Plus a horn mechanism is so basic it's hard for it to really degrade besides corrosion. What do you think is the problem at this point? Bad wires?
Are these new? If so, contact Hella or the vendor.
If old, there is usually an adjustment screw on the back.
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Old 11-05-2018, 11:57 PM   #7
stage2stance
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie-III View Post
Are these new? If so, contact Hella or the vendor.
If old, there is usually an adjustment screw on the back.
Update: when wired and pressing the horn, there is a measured voltage across the horn terminals. Therefore they must be wired correctly, and it's a horn issue. What exactly does the adjustment screw on the back do?
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Old 11-06-2018, 07:43 AM   #8
Charlie-III
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stage2stance View Post
Update: when wired and pressing the horn, there is a measured voltage across the horn terminals. Therefore they must be wired correctly, and it's a horn issue. What exactly does the adjustment screw on the back do?
A horn design like that is a simple electromagnet moving a metal diaphragm. When you apply volts, the magnet moves the diaphragm, which then opens the circuit killing the force and the diaphragm moves back into place also closing the circuit.
This cycles fairly fast making sound as the diaphragm moves back and forth.
The adjustment screw sets the airgap for the circuit inside.
There is a narrow range for good sound. Screw too far in or out not a only can kill the sound, it may make it not work.
I would mark the screw head, then only go in or out 1-2 turns max. Just moving it may make things work and you can go back to where you were.
Also make sure the ground (usually the mounting bracket) is clean and solid.
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Old 11-07-2018, 08:40 PM   #9
Charlie-III
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Hope this helps....https://goo.gl/images/fJzgKr

Or.....
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Old 11-09-2018, 07:44 PM   #10
stage2stance
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That diagram and explanation was very helpful, thanks! So it appears as if the horns are going through a single cycle instead of continually oscillating. Pressing the horn pulls the magnet in, and releasing the horn let's it out, and that's why I hear a little chirp when I release the horn. I've tried adjusting the screw all the way out and all the way in with no change besides a slight change in pitch of the chirp. How small is the acceptable range exactly?
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Old 11-09-2018, 09:08 PM   #11
Charlie-III
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1998 Legacy 2.5GT
Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT

Default

Useful range is small.
Make sure you have a solid connection for power and ground. A poor connection may not allow a good horn to work correctly, a bad horn is even worse.
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