Installing Old Style Horn

[Big Paws]

I have searched the posts concerning the install of the old style beetle horn but I am a bit confused. On a 2001 1.8T, can someone give a clear explanation on how the new horn should be wired? If I understand correctly the stock horn is wired with a plug? Are there 2 wires that need to be cut and do I use both on the new/old horn?
Thanks for any insight on this.
Dean

[FineExampl]

Just a wild guess here....

The stock horn is in the drivers side fender below the headlight. If you look from below you can see it. If it attaches with a plug, i imagine unplgugging it and tapping into the other end could work. If it needs the connector to work, i imagine you could cut the wires after the plug and tap in there. Than you'd just have to figure out how to mount it.

[gypsy73]

old beetle horn

a link/how-to to the old forum.

meep meep

[Big Paws]

Thanks, that is the post that I read. I think the way it was worded in one part was confusing, but I think I get the picture.

[Lnzbug]

Is this something I can do myself? I have this horn (pic below). I can't get the old forum to work to see the how to

[FineExampl]

aww the old forums are officially dead?? i've been wanting to do a 12v horn for a while now. =o(

[noR]

The small brass phillips head is for ground, the 2 flat tabs are for + and -.

You're stock horn is actually 2 different horns, so just use the wires for ONE of those, splice into them and connect to this new horn.

You may or may not need the grounding screw, I dunno. I'd use it if there's a 3rd wire there. But + and - will be the thick wires.

You may want to tape the wires into place to make sure they aren't backwards. Just electrical tape them to the contacts then go put a key in & tap the horn. See what happens. If everything operates correctly, solder them into place and cover w/shrink tube. Or put some connectors on and slide them on, or ... whatever you choose to do to make the connection.

[Lnzbug]

Thanks! I'll try tomorrow, when it's cooler out. I'll try to remember to take some pics for a new how-to here.

[Atomic_Knight]

This is quite right. I installed a 12v old beetle horn into my Herbie, just because it seemed right that a beetle makes that noise. And don't worry, the horn is loud enough. Purchasing somw rubber grometts for the wires is also a good thing, by the way...

Originally Posted by noR

The small brass phillips head is for ground, the 2 flat tabs are for + and -.

You're stock horn is actually 2 different horns, so just use the wires for ONE of those, splice into them and connect to this new horn.

You may or may not need the grounding screw, I dunno. I'd use it if there's a 3rd wire there. But + and - will be the thick wires.

You may want to tape the wires into place to make sure they aren't backwards. Just electrical tape them to the contacts then go put a key in & tap the horn. See what happens. If everything operates correctly, solder them into place and cover w/shrink tube. Or put some connectors on and slide them on, or ... whatever you choose to do to make the connection.

[miffmole]

My car now has the vintage VW sound, too...
Meep-meep!

If anyone needs the two OEM horns, let me know.

[Duffy]

Are you sure the phillips screw is for grounding and not for tonal quality adjustment? Just wondering.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Duffy

Are you sure the Phillips screw is for grounding and not for tonal quality adjustment? Just wondering.

That didn't even occur to me...I really don't know. I attached the horn directly to the same place the previous bar had been, so that took care of the grounding.

The guy at TVA said to call him if I needed any further instruction, because he'd installed a few. Maybe they know what the screw is for.

Update: I spoke with TVA but they didn't seem to know what the Phillips head screw was for.

[mspastrygurl]

so I havent tried locating the horn yet but I have an ooga horn I want to install, is that gonna fit? My dad is telling me no, but Im hoping he is wrong. To get to my horn do I need to jack the car up or just crawl underneath it well the car sits low so I dunno and I like trying to do alot of mods on my own so I can brag I did it, lol.....thanks in advance if anyone can help me out.

[meepmeep]

I had no idea this could be done or the old horn could be found. That sound is what I fell in love with. Please post a DIY! Maybe I can get my husband to swap the horn sometime.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by Duffy

Are you sure the phillips screw is for grounding and not for tonal quality adjustment? Just wondering.

I think your right, the horn on the old bugs grounded with the bolted part, Ive switched wires around on the horns before when ive had to change them and never had a problem .. I know the mk1s and early vanagons had the old style Meep horn too.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by noR

The small brass phillips head is for ground, the 2 flat tabs are for + and -.

You're stock horn is actually 2 different horns, so just use the wires for ONE of those, splice into them and connect to this new horn.

You may or may not need the grounding screw, I dunno.

On my horn, the brass Philips screw is actually a volume control of sorts. It'll take the volume all the way down to silent.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Lnzbug

Is this something I can do myself? I have this horn (pic below). I can't get the old forum to work to see the how to
Attachment 34971

Lnzbug, I bought that exact same horn that you have pictured, mine coming from TVA...
Does your sound loud enough to suit you? I like the sound of mine, but I just wish it were louder. I adjusted the Philips screw to the loudest setting, but it still sounds a bit soto voce.

Does anyone think the Hella horn might be louder? The seller claims 113 Db on this ad:

HORN HELLA VW BEETLE KARMANN GHIA VANAGON VOLKSWAGON*CM:eBay Motors (item 260385775283 end time Oct-26-09 07:07:02 PDT)

[miffmole]

I installed the Hella horn today, and it is much louder, and I'm very pleased with it. While the other horn that I ordered from TVA sounded cute, this one is much louder and has more attitude. It's rated at 113 decibels. I'm not sure what the TVA horn was rated. I actually wondered if anyone would hear the TVA horn to avert an accident, especially in a traffic situation.

The hella horn is larger, and just heavier duty and better built...and still has the Beetle sound.