Boxter horn is lame, anyone upgrade? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

algiorda · 01-30-2017, 04:44 PM

I commute on one of the worst roads in the nation everyday and aggressive drivers barely see me with their huge SUV's. When I honk my horn, it's almost laughable it sounds like a kitty kar.

Has anyone upgraded the horn(s) and was it legal?

Years ago I had air horns in my Fiat 124, and they were the best. It used to scare the crap out of people. Needless to say, DOT phased them out eventually.

Fintro11 · 01-30-2017, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algiorda

I commute on one of the worst roads in the nation everyday and aggressive drivers barely see me with their huge SUV's. When I honk my horn, it's almost laughable it sounds like a kitty kar.

Has anyone upgraded the horn(s) and was it legal?

Years ago I had air horns in my Fiat 124, and they were the best. It used to scare the crap out of people. Needless to say, DOT phased them out eventually.

Last year I had a lifted 4x4 almost run over my boxster because he couldn't see me.... I have debated about a train horn

algiorda · 01-30-2017, 06:14 PM

haha, there is a Youtube video of a truck with a train horn terrorizing people. I laughed so hard. It might be just what the Boxster Gods ordered!

10/10ths · 01-30-2017, 06:55 PM

...that one of your horns has failed. There are two horns, one "low tone" and one "high tone" and they both must be working in order to have a horn with "jump factor."

These horns fail all the time.

You have to remove the bumper cover to get to them, kind of a pain.

I just replaced both of my horns because both had failed.

Buy the OEM replacements from Pelican Parts. They are plug-and-play.

Timco · 01-30-2017, 09:43 PM

Are fire engine horns air or 12v?

Three special editions in this thread.

TeamOxford · 01-30-2017, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

...that one of your horns has failed. There are two horns, one "low tone" and one "high tone" and they both must be working in order to have a horn with "jump factor."

+1 on this.

It reads like one of your horns is out.

Just sayin'..........

TO

rick3000 · 01-30-2017, 09:56 PM

I installed a compact air horn after a big rig almost ran me off the road several years ago. It's a tight fit if you have a center radiator, but still very doable. The company horn still packs a significant punch, the one I used looks similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/Stebel-11690019-Nautilus-Compact-Black/dp/B00CMX20H4

I spliced into the wiring for the existing horns, and ran a ground to the front trunk and power directly to the battery with an inline fuse via the rubber firewall grommets. If I recall correctly the horn is 12V, but needed to be connected directly to the battery. Super simple, quick install once you have the front bumper off. I recommend leaving the original horns installed. Since the air horn takes a fraction of a second to charge, the original horns activate first which allows you to have a quieter horn for a friendly "beep beep."

Deserion · 01-31-2017, 02:47 AM

I like the horns on my 964 over my Boxster - they're the old-school trumpet-style.

Has that loud tone and definitive European sound. Also want to do this for my Outback which truly has pathetic horns (loud, but they sound ridiculous).

mikesz · 01-31-2017, 03:43 AM

I installed airhorns on my motorcycle. thought about doing the same for my Boxster.

algiorda · 01-31-2017, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

...that one of your horns has failed. There are two horns, one "low tone" and one "high tone" and they both must be working in order to have a horn with "jump factor."

These horns fail all the time.

You have to remove the bumper cover to get to them, kind of a pain.

I just replaced both of my horns because both had failed.

Buy the OEM replacements from Pelican Parts. They are plug-and-play.

I think your definitely on to something. It absolutely sounds like only one horn is firing. Being new to the Box, I didn't realize they had two horns. Sounds like a weekend project to check the horns and clean the radiators at the same time!

Boxtaboy · 01-31-2017, 04:04 AM

Yes, those horns fail if someone puts a pressure washer to the front bumper vents. Can easily happen. If both your horns work, they are actually quite loud.

eallga72 · 01-31-2017, 04:16 AM

Installed a dual air horn on my 1990 Miata, well worth the work, now thinking of doing the same on my 2002 Boxster

BIGJake111 · 01-31-2017, 04:39 AM

Try driving a Honda, it makes the sound an elevator does when it's overloaded.

The boxster horn is sufficient and more meaty than half the cars on the road.

So yeah sounds like ones out, good luck with the fix!

PaulE · 01-31-2017, 05:57 AM

I've replaced my horns twice in 13 years of ownership. Owing to their low position, they can fill up with water leading to failure. I used to occasionally go through automatic car washes with an undercarriage spray, I've since stopped that and haven't had to replace my horns again. I just had a minor fender bender requiring the front bumper cover to be removed for the repair, and had the body shop make sure both horns were working!

algiorda · 01-31-2017, 06:40 AM

I might as well re-route the bonnet wire into the tow cover access while I have the bumper cover off. So I'll be:

Replace both horns
Clean Radiator debris
Re-route frunk access wire.

Can you think of any other preventative maintenance I should do while I have the bumper cover off?

DrCactus · 01-31-2017, 08:38 AM

Im not sure about your horn but my car is loud and deep - just like a Trucker horn. It scares people when I honk it.... I wish my other car had the same power!!! lol

Luccia at Pelican Parts · 01-31-2017, 08:44 AM

As said, make sure both horns are in working order. If you're sure they are, I've installed aftermarket horns such as HELLA Supertones with great results.

Porsche Boxster (1997-2004) - Gauges & Miscellaneous - Page 1

BirdDog · 01-31-2017, 06:30 PM

All I can tell you is that the factory horns on my 01 S are LOUD.

Many years ago I installed a set of Hadley air horns on one of my cars. i mounted them so they were resessed into the front airdam and didn't stick out. They were a matched pair, one 11" the other 18". A vacuum operated compressor pumped a holding tank up to 300 PSI. I mounted a switch in the ceiling that said EMERGENCY. I really wanted one of those trucker pull chains, but the switch worked well. Hit the switch and it opened a spill valve and those baby's came alive. Sounded like a freight train was about to hit you. Great for old people (people older than me) who like to go 50 mph in the hi-speed lane! LOL

Seriously, the stock horns are plenty loud if they are both working properly!