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.
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.
Seasoned Member
Quote:
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.Originally Posted by SuperGlue
Sounds like bad grounds.
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.
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..
CF Veteran
Check your switch too, some have a tendency to melt down or just plain break inside.
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?
CF Veteran
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?Originally Posted by Ladies
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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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?Originally Posted by Greenfishinkayak
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?
Seasoned Member
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.
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.
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.
Newbie
Try something simple, like the fuse. If the fuses are good, take a meter and start tracing the wires from the fuse, switch, etc.
Seasoned Member
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!)
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!)
Senior Member
Quote:
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 newOriginally Posted by Ladies
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.
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!
I've tried as much as I can it just seems easier to run new wires than to tear apart my wiring harnesses!