Any help diagnosing non-working foglights?

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Dec 11, 2011 | 06:55 PM
  #1  
My fog lights went out a few months ago and I would like to get them working again.. I printed off a wiring diagram but I am a little confused to say the least..

This is what happened in order...
1. Passengers side fog went out (replaced bulb and didn't work)
2. Drivers side fog went out 2 weeks later (bulb wasn't it either)
3. The switch still lit up on the inside for about four months
4. Last week the switch went out on the inside also.

Not sure where I should start? I wouldn't mind running new wires if I could still use the OEM switch.. Anyways I'm hoping somebody will chime in with some suggestions this time.
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Dec 11, 2011 | 07:57 PM
  #2  
Sounds like bad grounds.
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Dec 11, 2011 | 09:25 PM
  #3  
Quote: Sounds like bad grounds.
That's exactly what my first thought was. I had the same thing happen to my factory fogs - one went out, then the other, new bulbs didn't fix. I decided to replace them outright with a whole new kit - housings, wires and switch. When I took the old setup off, the wires were all corroded and brittle and it was obvious that there was little if any conductivity/connection on the ground wires. The power wires didn't look much better.

I'd start by just running all new wiring & connectors if your housings and switch are still in good shape. Bet that fixes it. I only replaced my housings because they were cracked and missing pieces. I reused the old switch on the dash because I didn't feel like taking things apart and it was still working just fine.
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Dec 12, 2011 | 04:48 PM
  #4  
I can run new wires but how would I use the factory switch and relay? Do the fog light wires come out from under the fuse box? I'll try cleaning the grounds first..
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Dec 12, 2011 | 04:53 PM
  #5  
Check your switch too, some have a tendency to melt down or just plain break inside.
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Dec 12, 2011 | 05:20 PM
  #6  
I checked the switch a while back and it was fine inside.. Since then the light stopped turning on though? I'll check it again but my question is where do the wires from the relay actually go?
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Dec 12, 2011 | 05:47 PM
  #7  
Quote: I checked the switch a while back and it was fine inside.. Since then the light stopped turning on though? I'll check it again but my question is where do the wires from the relay actually go?
It could be the light is burned out in the switch, but the switching mechanism in mine was cracked an not toggling anything. Why did you have the switch on if the lights didn't work?
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Dec 18, 2011 | 09:21 AM
  #8  
Quote: It could be the light is burned out in the switch, but the switching mechanism in mine was cracked an not toggling anything. Why did you have the switch on if the lights didn't work?
I didn't have the switch on all the time. I don't think the light burned out, I never left it on or anything. But it used to light up and the internals of the switch looked fine. Now it doesn't light up and I havent checked yet what it looks like inside. I'm having trouble locating the grounds.. Where would the fog light grounds be located?
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Dec 18, 2011 | 10:30 AM
  #9  
Mine had short ground wires from each of the bulb-housings that bolted onto the bumper with the mounting brackets for the lights. I think some of them might have a wire/connection inside the housing that grounds through the mounting bracket too, possibly. The ground wire from the switch and/or relay will usually go to a common ground point located on the frame, body or a fusebox near the switch/relay, depending on how yours is wired. The grounds that were bad on mine were the ones going from the lights to the bumper. The wires inside the insulation were all corroded so it was more than just the connectors - so maybe peel back a little insulation on your more exposed wires to check. Unless of course you're just replacing them.
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Dec 18, 2011 | 03:37 PM
  #10  
Grounds were fine, I tried them grounded to the battery and everything. I don't think I think th epower is getting stopped at the switch. Is there an interior fuse for the fog lights?

When I touched what I think is the ground (black) to the battery + side, the lights came on.. The switch would not turn them on or off though. I also put a new bulb in the switch and the green light would still not come on.

If I run new wires will the switch alone be able to handle the power or do I need to run new wires to the relay? If the switch is able to handle the load then there is alot less to go wrong.
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Dec 18, 2011 | 04:07 PM
  #11  
Try something simple, like the fuse. If the fuses are good, take a meter and start tracing the wires from the fuse, switch, etc.
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Dec 18, 2011 | 04:19 PM
  #12  
Fuses are good and all of the wires lead into big wiring harnesses in hard to reach places lol.
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Dec 19, 2011 | 10:08 AM
  #13  
this ebay seller has sweet prices: http://stores.ebay.com/A-M-LIGHTING-AND-ACCESSORIES

there are tons of different aftermarket lights for dirt cheap and they sell relayed wiring harnesses for under 15 bucks too! I got 2 different sets of 55w fogs (Front & Rear bumpers) with wiring and switches. They are both performing well 6 months after installation. I'm glad I did them as kits cuz I hate figuring out wiring and testing/replacing, and my wires were toast anyway!

If you wanna keep your wires, test for continuity from end to end on each section. That'll tell you if there's a bad section and you don't have to take apart harnesses (hopefully!)
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Dec 19, 2011 | 11:07 AM
  #14  
Quote: Grounds were fine, I tried them grounded to the battery and everything. I don't think I think th epower is getting stopped at the switch. Is there an interior fuse for the fog lights?

When I touched what I think is the ground (black) to the battery + side, the lights came on.. The switch would not turn them on or off though. I also put a new bulb in the switch and the green light would still not come on.

If I run new wires will the switch alone be able to handle the power or do I need to run new wires to the relay? If the switch is able to handle the load then there is alot less to go wrong.
Sounds similar to what happened to me... Mine ended up being a bad switch, replaced it and they worked like new
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Dec 19, 2011 | 07:53 PM
  #15  
I think I'm going to get a new switch but I don't think that will fix my problem! I'm going to run new wires and a new relay! Does anybody know which wires do what on the back of the fog light switch? There are 4 wires, I'm assuming one makes it "glow" when you turn your interior lights on but I'm unsure about the other three! Once I figure it out I can run wires to a new relay and to the fogs, problem fixed!

I've tried as much as I can it just seems easier to run new wires than to tear apart my wiring harnesses!
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