Check if you have water stuck in one of the horns. I used to go to a car wash and ending up having my horn sound like ****. Kind of like a Corolla.

But I found out that there would be water stuck in one of the horns. Find out which one it is from the 2 modules. Take it out(1 Screw) let it dry sitting mouth opening down.

Lexus horn is my favorite out of all, your must be faulty.

 

you can gauge the age of the driver by the way they activate the hornbutton.:
early 20s: gingerly flittering the fingers over the surface of the steering pad
Late 70s: pounding the center while straining against the backrest, distorted facial expression, wife grabbing the OMG handle

 

I live in South Florida and my horns are not loud either. I wonder if it's the humidity. I plan to install Hella horns soon. There are a lot of crazy drivers down here.

 

I too think your horn is malfunctioning. I don't remember having any issues with the horn in the LS430 (or the 400, or the 460), I've always thought the LS has a nice rich sounding horn.

Its a dual note horn, so if for some reason one of the horns isn't working or theres a short it wouldn't sound right

Here's a picture, the two thing that look like...well...horns...in front of the radiator

 

I have never had a problem with my horn. I can't even tell you where I press to get the horn, but regardless it has always functioned every time I have asked it to. I think something is probably wrong with your horn.

 

Is the OEM Horn made by Denso?

The PO of my LS must have had an issue with the horn because I dont see a single identifying mark on my horns.

While shopping I remember seeing several LS's with Denso clearly marked on the horns, IIRC.

 

You can buy a very nice Italian fanfare on ebay
Or go American Trucker with airhorn mounted on the roof

 

My horns have DENSO and the part number molded into the plastic body of the horns. The horns appear identical, except they are mirror image, which is probably to assure that the sound from the two horns blend together as they emit from the grille. The sound is a dignified, nonthreating sound that is pleasant while being loud enough to warn others.

Arn't you glad they don't emit a short, shrill sound when the car is locked remotely?

 

My horn functions as it should. I have to learn to press on the corners instead of the center area of the pad.

 

If your horn doesn't sound when you press the center of the pad it doesn't operate as it should.

 

I have a similar problem. My horn does not work sometimes as I start driving after a warm up. 2 - 7 presses later it starts working fine. Its rather rule rather than exception. Will visit the shop Saturday and have the mechanic take a look at it among other stuff.

 

I haven't used my horn yet, but I wonder if Hella super tones would be an improvement? I have a set in my garage, I'm just too lazy to install them

 

I had another opportunity to use the horn this morning. It sputtered a bit when I quickly pressed on the upper right of the pad. A little while later with no cars around I tested the horn button/pad and it seems to work just fine no matter where I press on it, even in the center. I just can't figure out why it doesn't seem to work as well when I really need it, when I quickly pound the pad to alert another lousy driver. Maybe it has to do with the amount of pressure I'm using. When I quickly hit the pad I think I'm really putting a lot of force on it and that might have something to do with it.

 

Heh. The horn would not be at the forefront of the things to complain about (for me) on the LS.

I find the horn on my LS to be dam good. It's loud as hell (like the old American car horns) and it's hard to ignore (unlike the POS on my Subaru Forester).