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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 07:00 PM
  #1  
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horn change

So I have a 2020 F150 and the horn sounds like a standard Ford truck 2-note "get the f out of my way" horn. My 2019 Explorer used to sound exactly like that but over time, it toned itself down and now sounds like only one note activates and almost nothing when frozen. Took it into the dealer and they said during 2019 there was a change from 2-note horns to single note horns so they could not replace it under warranty. They said bring it back when it's frozen and if it's dead we'll replace it. Sounds like BS to me and don't have the time or patience to tie up a vehicle for another day over a friggin horn..

Anyone have to put up with similar BS? Will probably just find an F150 horn in the junkyard and install it myself, but just the principle of the failure to honor the warranty is more annoying than the horn.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 08:13 PM
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First world problems.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 10:46 AM
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I've actually been looking at a horn that has authority. The stock horn is a bit wheezy IMO.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by GlueGuy
I've actually been looking at a horn that has authority. The stock horn is a bit wheezy IMO.
Check out a Stebel Nautilus air horn. I had one on a motorcycle and it was impressive, They draw 10 amps so a relay is needed, and the relay can be triggered by the stock horn signal.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 12:55 PM
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I'm pretty sure the horns have a H or L marked on each. Remove the horns and look to verify if the dealer is fibbing you.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 07:52 PM
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I would grab a pair of Hella Supertone horns before even messing with the dealership route.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2021 | 01:22 AM
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Second the Stebel. Incredibly loud. I had one on a motorcycle too.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 09:15 AM
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I hate bringing up year-old threads, but just ran into this on my wife's 2019. Told there was a changeover partway through the build, and that it's not covered under warranty - especially since she's out of the 3year/36k mile warranty anyway. Which, okay, no problem, horns are cheap.

But how hard is it to change it? They quoted 3 hours labor which seems kinda ridiculous, but if there's a ton of stuff to get out of the way I guess it could make sense. Anyone have a link or description on how to replace it? Debating doing it myself but if it's pretty in depth then I'll have them do it because I don't have the time to wrench like I used to. That and having a bum shoulder/hand isn't helping matters.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 10:01 AM
  #9  
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You do have to remove the grill and shutters (IIRC, they come out as a "unit"). There are maybe a 10 or 12 clips and screws to do that. After that though, and you have pretty much direct access to the horn(s). Beyond that, if you have a high-amp horn, then you will need to run a power wire and bolt in a relay. If it is low-amp, then a straight swap is all that's needed.
 
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Old Feb 23, 2022 | 03:55 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by 99powerstrokedF250
I hate bringing up year-old threads, but just ran into this on my wife's 2019. Told there was a changeover partway through the build, and that it's not covered under warranty - especially since she's out of the 3year/36k mile warranty anyway. Which, okay, no problem, horns are cheap.

But how hard is it to change it? They quoted 3 hours labor which seems kinda ridiculous, but if there's a ton of stuff to get out of the way I guess it could make sense. Anyone have a link or description on how to replace it? Debating doing it myself but if it's pretty in depth then I'll have them do it because I don't have the time to wrench like I used to. That and having a bum shoulder/hand isn't helping matters.
ok , so kill the power to the defective horn, and install a new horn in an easy to get to spot
 
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