Aftermarket horn for your Vanny?

[tobloyd]

I got an aftermarket horn & it started causing my fuse to blow immediately when I switched the car on. It turns out that for some odd reason VW is switching the ground instead of the positive lead, and the horn is expecting the reverse—it gets grounded directly to the chassis (I assume most aftermarket horns are like this). What is the *correct* way to handle this? Do I just zip tie it so it won't ground to the chassis and then hook up the two leads as one would with the stock horn?

[izzydog]

[tim_ha]

[wcdennis]

[vwwestyman]

[kamzcab86]

[dgbeatty]

Attached is the factory diagram for dual horns. It incorporates a relay to remove the load from the steering column. Equally useable for a single horn. Greatly improves operation.
Note - I uploaded a black and white version by mistake.

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Schau in das Buch

[pbrown]

Where do you install the new horn relay when upgrading horns? Can it go in the factory fuse/relay panel in an 86+?
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
Flickr --> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQNUXEF

[dgbeatty]

As indicated the relay goes in position #6.
_________________
Schau in das Buch

[danfromsyr]

there are delayed 'engagement' relays.

you could add a small weathertite box down below and have the soft horn wired normal, and the loud horn wired with a 5s delay relay.

it 'should' cancel/interrupt the 5s relay function when you release the horn early yet allow the loud horn if held for more than 5s.

I can't get into the electrical theory bits at the moment..
but heres some delay on/delay off relays.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...p;_sacat=0

[pbrown]

I was studying the Bentley last night. My van is an 86 and so has the updated fuse/relay panel. My #6 relay position is empty. I didn't find any Vanagon factory wiring diagrams with a horn relay. My manual is very old and only covers up to 1989 so I may not have all the available data.

I also noticed that Van Cafe and GoWesty sell horn relay kits.

How hard is it to add the relay to position #6 and rearrange the wiring to match the diagram posted by dgbeatty? I was going to pull my fuse panel down and look but ran out of time. I like the idea if adding the relay to my panel if it's a practical solution.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
Flickr --> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQNUXEF

[T3 Pilot]

You need this connector for position L on the back of the panel
https://www.vancafe.com/171971997-p/171971997.htm
It includes pins. You also need a proper crimping tool and a pin removal tool to extract pins from the plugs.

Print out a copy of your current single horn diagram, and study it beside the dual horn diagram provided earlier in this thread.
It is a very practical solution.
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1988 Vanagon

The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel......

[kamzcab86]

[pbrown]

[T3 Pilot]

That’s right, 2/30 is connected internally through the panel to L3 which is the ground. Here is a link to the full colour version of the diagram in question with the ground that you wondered about included.

http://www.haywood-sullivan.com/vanagon/dual_horns_wiring_diagram.gif
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1988 Vanagon

The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel......

[bajaleo]

I'm using the horns from the Subaru car that I cannibalized for my engine conversion. They're much louder and better sounding IMO than the oem horns.
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Leo in San Juan Capistrano
1984 Wolfie Westy, Subaru EJ22 powered.

[campism]