[glennk]

Ok, stupid question...

Does it matter if you leave the existing horn and just add the new one? Or, are most of you replacing the existing horn with a high and low pair?

You can do either, but the first will be cheaper! I've been using my set-up for a while now and am VERY pleased.

 

[mjritter]

Great article.

 

[DarkSpeed3]

Heres a bunch of horns to pick from and they have sound clips to preview WOLO ELECTRIC HORNS FOR CARS, TRUCKS, BOATS, RV's AND MOTORCYCLES

 

[mde83]

Just did this upgrade today using the guide posted in this thread. In fact I even used the same exact horns that they recommened in the guides. I actually bought 4 horns, two high tone and two low tone. I did my 3 today and will do my Mazda 5 really soon. For all 4 horns the total cost was $31 shipped from carparts.com.

With the guide, I cannot believe how easy this was. One issue I ran into was how to remove the wire harness on the passenger side near the fog light. I unplugged the fog light, but that harness is clipped onto the backside bumper in many different places. So I just left it connected and propped the nose up on a block covered in towels. The other small issue I ran into was getting the shroud around the tranny cooler on the driver side off. The two clips on the outside were easy but the one toward the engine was difficult. I finally just pushed it out from inside the shroud.

One tip i might add is if you install 2 of these horns, is on the second horn, use at least two of the metal brackets that come with the horn. One is a little flimsy and the horn would vibrate a lot. I actually used 3. Each horn came with two.

Total time was 65 minutes (I am was slow and deliberate).

 

[glennk]

Did you have to make any changes to the electrical system? I would think 4 horns would exceed the amperage of the fuse.

 

[mde83]

Did you have to make any changes to the electrical system? I would think 4 horns would exceed the amperage of the fuse.

You misunderstood me. I bought 4 horns, 2 of which I used on my Mazda3 and two of which I am going to use on my Mazda5

 

[glennk]

Woops! Apologies...

 

[swar19ren]

I could only get my hands on 18 gauge wire. Does anyone think that this will be an issue?

 

[Derrick_B]

I doubt it.

 

[swar19ren]

I doubt it.

Thanks that's what I was thinking but I wanted a second opinion.

I finished my install and couldn't be happier to loose the stock joke of a horn. Now I can press the lock button twice when locking my car

Thanks so much for the write up, ntechnic!

 

[Dubcnea]

wow. took my time and done. i just bought the horn local as it ended up costing 2.50 more than the other plus shipping. but i only bought one, not two. i can't believe how easy it is to disassemble that front bumper. however, a buddy would have been nice to have around to hold it while i disconnected the fog light. other than that...super easy!

thanks again! this was a very nice and easy mod. + safety right before winter.

 

[EnjoyMoosic]

Wow this is one of the few guides I managed to actually follow.
I'm tad bit confused about this though,
"There is a plastic shroud around the tranny cooler "

What do you mean by plastic shroud?

One more question -
Instead of going through the trouble of replacing the stock horn,
could I just buy a low horn and attach it as the "second horn."

 

[Dubcnea]

Wow this is one of the few guides I managed to actually follow.
I'm tad bit confused about this though,
"There is a plastic shroud around the tranny cooler "

What do you mean by plastic shroud?

this is for automatics only.

One more question -
Instead of going through the trouble of replacing the stock horn,
could I just buy a low horn and attach it as the "second horn."

yes. that is what i did. worked perfect. so you just splice into the stock wiring, mount the new horn. done.

 

[heejoman]

I am Mr. All-pinky. (Lower than Mr. All-thumbs).

Great detail photos. I was planning to keep the original horn and just add the lower decibel one.
I can take the bumper off and put back together.
My worry is regarding splicing (or is tapping into the power source for the second horn) the wire.
Exactly where am I to do this? Is that the 3 way(one in, 2 out?) Twice for (+ side and - side?).

Or should I just have one horn, another words, just replace the original with something that sounds better?
Anyone just replaced the original with another horn? If so, which brand?

Thanks.

 

[n4rwhals]

Great write up, i just did it with no problem. Except i used 18 gauge wire, so i hope it isnt a problem

 

[Derrick_B]

I am Mr. All-pinky. (Lower than Mr. All-thumbs).

Great detail photos. I was planning to keep the original horn and just add the lower decibel one.
I can take the bumper off and put back together.
My worry is regarding splicing (or is tapping into the power source for the second horn) the wire.
Exactly where am I to do this? Is that the 3 way(one in, 2 out?) Twice for (+ side and - side?).

Or should I just have one horn, another words, just replace the original with something that sounds better?
Anyone just replaced the original with another horn? If so, which brand?

Thanks.

The ground is made through the bracket. There is no need to make any splitter for that. The positive splitter just gives you another hot wire to run the additional horn. Alternately, you could just replace the existing horn with the low-tone horn. It just won't be as loud.

Great write up, i just did it with no problem. Except i used 18 gauge wire, so i hope it isnt a problem

That should be fine, but I still recommend 16 gauge for safety.

 

[n4rwhals]

Safety? will my horn catch on fire?

 

[Derrick_B]

Safety? will my horn catch on fire?

Probably not, but there is a load limit for each guage of wire:

American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits with skin depth frequencies

18 should still be safe as it will carry 16 amps and the horn only pulls 5 amps (http://www.fiammamerica.com/Product.asp?ProductID=156).

 

[pepperdro]

i installed the low note in addition to the stock horn, and it sounds much louder than just one or the other by itself. there is another thread that shows the connector you would have to make, in order to add a horn to your existing one. it only takes about 7" of wire, 2 female connectors, and 1 male connector. easy, peasy!

 

[DarkSpeed3]

Stock horn:
YouTube - 2010 Mazda 3 Stock Horn

I just jumped out of my chair.... DAMN