Replaced my fog lamps for 2nd time, fist time was replacing OEM units, but I bought some replacements that failed (cracked/ water intrusion). Just bought some high quality ones and installed but both don't work. 2001 XJ that came from factory with fog lights. Light on switch doesn't illuminate either. Any ideas of where to look next? My owners manual does not show fog lamp fuse in the cab, but I see fog lamp relays under the hood.

 

Simply swap the relay with another (working) one in the fuse box and see if the fog lights work. Easy way to diagnose a bad relay

 

Switch is probably melted.

 

Ditto.

 

Note from DJ
Check the 10 Amp fuse #7 located in your inside fuse panel

 

Fuse was good- how do you go about replacing fog lamp switch? Any idea where to find one?
TIA,
SeaVee

 

Well before you do that you should take it out and take it apart to confirm that it is melted.

These switches are notorious for melting. They are not designed to be on for long periods of time. They're not driving lights, they only supposed to be used in fog.

I have like 5-6 that are all melted. I finally found one that wasn't melted in a junkyard and wired it to my fogs using a relay. I also removed the indicator light because that is what causes the heat.

If you want to avoid that nonsense you could just wire your lights using a relay and an auxiliary switch.

 

Napa sells em. You can find them online like at Amazon too.

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p...135_0238390069

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C7UQRI...T1Q2A2C3QVZR2B

 

Tha'ts a really weird idea. You want him to actually check something before buying some new parts to swap in????


Wow. Just wow. Next thing you'll be suggesting he do some work with a voltmeter or test light before buying parts!!!!





There ya go. Relays are your friends. Fog lamps should be run through a relay, not a big switch. There's no reason to be melting a switch.


I don't have factory fog lights on mine, so I'm shooting in the dark here, but didn't he say he already has relays under the hood?

 

It turns out the reason these switches melt is because the indicator light inside the switch creates a lot of heat. When left on for too long it melts the plastic around it.

and yes, the factory fogs ARE powered through a relay but even I don't think I would've used the factory relay location and wiring because that's just, well, too much work.

OP, sounds like you want some better lighting. Might I suggest an h4 headlight conversion. Many many people on the forums, including myself, have done it with great results. Also it can be done pretty cheap.

 

Bad design. I've never had that happen to a lighted switch.

 

Thanks guys, looking to keep everything as OEM as possible, so that's why I am going the replacement switch option. This XJ is a cream puff so I'm trying to keep it as original as possible
SeaVee

 

See if you can find one that has an LED in the handle instead of an incandescent bulb. That will get you a stock look without the heating problem.

 

What 'handle'?