fog lights and hi-beams

[Tx_Atty]

Has anyone figured out how to alter my light wiring so the fog lights stay on when I switch to hi-beams?

 

Thanks!

[94extreme]

may want to run a hot lead to the switch.

[88pathoffroad]

That kind of thing is easy to do if you're familiar with wiring at all. Simple wiring modification.

[Tx_Atty]

that's the problem. I dont know jack about wiring. I thought maybe it had already been done by someone here. I know it is a fairly common mod on new Ford trucks.

 

if anyone cares to figure it out and offer a "wiring for dummies" explanation I would appreciate it. If not, no big deal.

[Harbinger]

It really depends on how they are set up already.

 

The easy way would probably be to hook up a relay to turn the fogs on with the high beams. I did that in my old 94 GMC to keep the low beams on with the hi's.

 

Great 12volt wiring info can be found @ the12volt.com

[jj big shoe]

Or you could use the 12v from the parking lights to trigger the fog light relay. That's what I did on my old Jeep. It's too late to do it right now but if there's no answer here later, I'll draw out a schematic for you when I get some time.

Edited December 16, 2006 by jj big shoe

[Tx_Atty]

that would be great, thanks!

[trance34]

Or you could use the 12v from the parking lights to trigger the fog light relay. That's what I did on my old Jeep. It's too late to do it right now but if there's no answer here later, I'll draw out a schematic for you when I get some time.

I thought this is how I would do it also. I read on another forum that it has to be done another way. I have yet to try so I don't know.

 

you fog lamp relay is powered through the headlamp relay. so your headlights would need to be on to power the fog lamp relay. The ground side of the relay goes through the foglamp switch then up through the headlight switch which must be switched to low beam position to supply the ground to the circuit. The fog lamps them selfs are powered directly through the fog lamp relay.

 

How to circumvent the control circuit of the relay which has both control of power side and ground side of the fog lamp relay. You will need to cut 2 wires and add your own wires to make the circuit work.

 

Draw back, The fog lamps will stay illuminated as long as the fog lamp switch is turned on. Meaning, even when the high beams are on the fog lamps will still be illuminated. Also there is no battery saver function control of the fog lamps[ they will not be shut off if accedently left on by the smart entrance control unit. like they are now.]

 

Your vin number will play a part in this by pass as the power supply wire from the headlamp relay to the fog lamp relay is different colors.

 

If the last 6 of your vin are lower then 500000 then the wire is R/B [red with black stripe] if your vin is after 500000 then the color is R/L[red with blue stripe]

 

At the fog lamp relay remove the relay and look inside the terminal area of the relay. You will see numbers if you look very carfully. at terminal #2 you should see the power wire mentioned above. Remember you are looking at the relay upside down so be sure you match up the right terminal as the other side is the same color wire. cut that wire about an inch from the relay connector, R/B or R/L wire. To verify you have the right wire before cutting use a voltmeter to test for power with the headlights on in that terminal. With the realy out the other wire wont have power.

 

Now go to your fog lamp switch and find the Y/B [yellow with black stripe] wire and cut it about an inch from the switch.

 

It is strongly recommended you use a soldiering iron to properly connect these wires and use either heat shrink or self adhering electrical wrap.[ not black electrical tape] The electrical wrap is as good as heat shrink as it completely seals the conection from moisture.

 

on the fog lamp Y/B wire you will be running a wire from the wire coming off the switch to a good ground under your dash. Do this by "tinning" both the wire you are adding and the Y/B wire coming off the switch. Slide your head shrink tube onto the wire your adding and away from the heat of your iron. soldier the 2 wires together. allow to cool slightly. slide your heat shrink tube over the connection and shrink it. Attach the other end of the wire to a ground point under the dash. ie a body nut or bolt on either the metal behind the kick panel or the cowel near the steering colum mount.

 

 

On the power wire at the relay [see color description above] prepare the joint the same you did with the ground. However this wire will be jointed in to the R/Y wire at the RH headlamp relay [ there are 2 either is fine as they come from the same fuse source.] you will be using another piece of wire to jump the 2 wires. no need to cut the R/Y wire just cut away about a half inch of the insulation about and inch or so from the relay. "tin" the wire quikly as to much heat will start melting the insulation. then joint it together as you did above with the gound and the other end of this wire.[using this method you wont beable to use the heat shrink tubing. alternativly you can cut the R/Y wire and joint it like the others to use heat shrink tubing.]

 

 

the other way to do this would be to just use end connectors and a scotch lock at the head lamp relay.[ no soldiering] but using this method puts you at risk of moisture collection on the joints ultimatly causeing corrison increasing current draw on the circuit and possible complete circuit failure over time.

[FUELER]

i didn't read that, but i suggest you find the fog light relay, find it's replacement at radio shack, open it, and sauter a wire to the relay lead (the one that controlls whether relay open or closed) and then hook that wire up to a positive source that is only on when your car is on (so you don't accidentally leave the fogs on) -- because your fog lights are not hooked up to the door chime.

 

The relayshould hopefully have a diagram on top of it. If not, i'm sure somebody here can help you.

[jj big shoe]

Here's a schematic from KC Hilites that shows how to hook up some of their fogs. Just connect the "green" wire thats shown going from the switch to the 12v hot wire going to your parking lights. This will turn your fogs on whenever your parking lights are powered on. They'll prolly even flash when you arm your alarm, too. If you still want to have an on/off control, wire the circuit as shown but connect the "white" wire to your parking lights instead of the "green" one.

Sounds tougher than it is but it's cake once you get your head around it. Just go to Radio Shack and grab a SPDT relay and some wire and you're set.

[FUELER]

Thats the relay. You will need to cut off that big plastic tab on top to fit (at least i had to in my R50)