My horns are getting faint to hear. Is there a fix to repair them or does anyone do this? I know aftermarket ones are inexpensive but would like to keep original if possible.
Thanks!
Thanks!
1983 FJ40 Horns, can they be repaired
- Thread starter Wadesters
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Have you cleaned the contacts? The mount and the wire connection, the relay connections and the horn button in the steering wheel
- Thread starter
- #4
Thank you
@Engineer8000
@Engineer8000
I tried to restore my horns as I was pretty set on keeping the original sound to the horn. Mine shorted and started smoking while the vehicle was parked in the garage. I took them apart and I was able to get one horn working again but they are finicky and I could never get the sound right, and the other one never made a sound again.
I did some extensive research and switched to these Hella horns made for Toyota. They are very close to the original sound. I know that the sound is different but others who have heard my original horns for 30 years were amazed that they sounded exactly like the Toyota horn.
HELLA 011225881 Black 77mm 12V BX... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BODVOSY?tag=ihco-20
Note that these are wired backwards to the original horn, which I believe is safer. It’s probably unlikely that the horns will burn down your Cruiser, but I don’t know what would have happened had I not been home when it happened to mine. The smoke was impressive. These Hella lights have a constant ground and are triggered by a 12v+ signal. I hooked my ground signal from the original harness to a relay that now sends the 12+ signal power to the new horns when the button is pressed. It’s a safer design.
I did some extensive research and switched to these Hella horns made for Toyota. They are very close to the original sound. I know that the sound is different but others who have heard my original horns for 30 years were amazed that they sounded exactly like the Toyota horn.
HELLA 011225881 Black 77mm 12V BX... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BODVOSY?tag=ihco-20
Note that these are wired backwards to the original horn, which I believe is safer. It’s probably unlikely that the horns will burn down your Cruiser, but I don’t know what would have happened had I not been home when it happened to mine. The smoke was impressive. These Hella lights have a constant ground and are triggered by a 12v+ signal. I hooked my ground signal from the original harness to a relay that now sends the 12+ signal power to the new horns when the button is pressed. It’s a safer design.
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Note that all years seem to sound different and I don’t know how close an ‘83 horn is to a ‘78. You may have different results. I’ve always wondered if Toyota turned those tuning screws a little differently each year just for fun.
Update: I don’t think that my Hella horns have tuning screws like the Toyota ones did. My Cruiser is in the shop at the moment, otherwise I would go out and have a look. There is a video on Amazon of the sound and I will say that it is pretty close to what it sounds like in person.
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Engineer8000
SILVER Star
my first step would be to make sure the horn is grounded well, then jumper direct to battery + to test. To rule out wiring, relay and horn button.
Engineer8000
SILVER Star
If it can be opened, it can be repaired. Some are riveted shut. You could drill out the rivets if you were really attached to the horn or you cannot find a replacement. My Maruko elephant horns are currently apart, getting the disks plated.