I am thinking of getting some BAJA Fog Lights from AutoZone. I have read all these posts about wiring and such... Don't XJ's have a plug or something on the headlight wires for fog lights? Someone told me that but I dont know if they are right or not and my electrical skills are crap.

 

Btw, just to clarify, I mean like a stock plug or something along the headlight wiring harness.

 

Some do. But, here's the problem, aftermarket lights really require much heavier wiring and circuitry, than jeep provided. The stock circuit is even inadequate for the stock 35watt fogs. IMO, The only thing the stock wiring is good for is the switched power to a relay.

 

The limited package that I have did come with 55 watt fog lights from the factory. I replaced the ones I had with new housings and lamps. I don't know what package you have on your Jeep but some of them do not have the wiring for the fog lights.

Like it was already said it would probably be best to run your own wiring to be on the safe side.

 

That's an issue.. Im not exactly an electrcian lol. They come with their own wiring harness, but I have NO CLUE on how to wire up anything.

 

No worries, we can help you

What do you want to know first?

 

Well I will prob be getting them tomorrow. Then either hook them up tomorrow night after work or the very next morning. I figure I need a fuse and relay correct? How do I set up a fuse and relay?

 

are you wanting them to come on with the lights or something? most times people put a selectable switch in the dash to turn them on and off.

 

I think that will actually be best. The way my brushgaurd is mounted they might blind people at night, so maybe a switch would be better. I just dont know how to set up everything.

 

heh... you should get a heavy punchin bag (so you can let some of your frustration out) ... cuzz your about to get so mad when your wiring this up... i still haven't got mine to work... but buy a relay and extra fuses...

 

When you buy your lights you want to decide on the wattage you want before wiring anything. If you use too small of wire you will overload it and it could cause it to short out causing electrical woes.

If you buy a kit usually it will come with a switch, wire and possibly a relay. However I have yet to see a kit I used the relay from.


One more question. Do you want the lights on demand whether the headlights are on or not? Or do you want it all to shut down by pushing in the headlights?

Look at my crude drawing, let me know if any of it makes sense.

The 2 circles at the top are your lights.
The red lines are positive wires, the green are negative.
The 3 horizontal black lines are the vehicle ground.
The relay is a SPST meaning it only turns something on and off.
The switch is what you actually flip to turn your lights on. (NOTE: the ground is only used on the switch if the switch itself lights up)
The "+12v ign" represents your source. Depending on where you hook into you can do the following...

• Hook it up to ignition and your lights will turn off when you turn the key off
• Hook it up to headlights and your lights will turn off when your headlights are off
• Hook it up to +12V battery and you can turn your lights on regardless of anything (NOTE: I would put a fuse in there if you do this)

 

thats a pretty good wiring schematic can you draw a schematic of the option were they shut down with the head lights and the switch is still operational

 

You just hook up the "+12V ign" to the +12V on the headlights.

If you want an over ride switch you need to hook it up to the relay but you should add a diode to the headlight switch so you don't turn the headlights on with the fog lights.

 

thank you sir
is the override switch a must

 

you are very welcome

No the over ride is not necessary. Only an option