I want to run my foglights so that my headlights don't need to be on for the fogs to work.. don't ask me why, but I think it would look good. just parking lights (which I drive with on almost all of the time) and the foglights. if anyone knows how to mod the wires so the fogs can be used without the headlights, let me know,
thanks.

edit:
I have the scion option fogs.

 

I rewired the fog lights. I used Inazuma's schematic (Thanks Inazuma!), and used a relay. As opposed to using a positive source from the ignition, I opted to use the parking lights as my positive source. So now as long as my parking only, or headlights are on, my foglights can be turned on or off, regardless on whether or not the car is on. I opted for this wiring since I didn't intend on driving with the fogs alone, and the parking/headlight reminder will chime if I turn the car off with the lights on.

Here is a link to Inazuma's instructions:

http://members.***.net/inazuma/fogs.htm

Here is a picture of my relay:

 

U can just cut the foglight switch ground wire and ground it somewhere else

 

Yes you can...however, you'll have to remember to turn off your foglights every time. I hooked mine up with a relay to the parking lights. That way, if I forget, I will get the reminder chime.

 

to be able to use your foglights anytime you want you have to find the black/white stripe wire behind the switch, cut that wire and on the harness side tape it up and tuck it away, on the switch side extend that wire then ground it out. That way you can have your fogs on ANYTIME, even with the ignition off so don't forget to turn them off.

-duey

 

Thanks for the link and thanks to Inazuma for posting the info.

What I did, get a cheap mini relay. I used this one: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...torcyctoure-20 - $4.16 with free shipping (with a $25 order - like the horns I ordered).

I wanted the fogs to be DRLs - to have them go on/off with the key - and to be able to turn them off using the OEM switch. So I pulled the stuff apart and cut the black (ground) wire coming off the switch. I taped up the end NOT connected to the switch. The switch black wire I connected to the NO contract on the mini relay. The other side of the relay I tied to ground (the screw you see when you pull the pocket out) along with the ground for the relay coil. For the +12v for the relay coil, I just tapped into the +12v going to the cig lighter which is right there. I was wiring up some other stuff to that point anyway.

So to sum up:

Cut black wire at switch and connnect the switch end of the wire to the normally open relay contact.

Ground one leg of relay coil and the other relay contact.

Connect the +12v for the relay coil to any switched +12v source - I used the +12v going to the cig lighter.

The fogs now are on any time the key is on and the fog light switch is on. You can run fogs alone, fogs+parking, fogs+lows, or fogs+highs - or no fogs at all.



Dennis

 

Nice alternative. Nice write up!

-THE DON

 

Thanks, I've been looking for this.

 

Thanks, I've been looking for this.

 

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing (and bumping this thread!)

 

why is this post so much more helpful then the one i posted earlier?! i dont care, time to do some rewiring!

 

You don't really want an answer to that?

Has anyone thought of only having the fogs wired to come on with the parking lights? I have aftermarket ones that already have a relay and I wondered about just having them on all the time while either of the lights are on and completly do away with a fog switch. Any thoughts?

 

It would be easy to wire up. Just use a relay as I did, but connect the +12v side of the coil to a fuse in the fuse box that goes on with the lights - or maybe wire it to a wire going to one of the instrument illumination lamps. Then any time that is on, the fogs will too. To remove the switch, just connect the non-black wire from the switch to the relay in place of the black wire from the switch.

I don't see the point, though. I wanted the fogs to be DRLs so folks would see me and not pull out in front or turn in front of me. I just about never use parking lights only - if it is getting dark I turn on the headlights. So I would never want a mod like what you want - I would either leave it wired stock or make them come on with the key. But to each his/her own, so if that is how you want it you can make it so.

Dennis

 

Mine are aftermarket and I'm just tired of messin with the switch then leaving them on after the car is off. This way they are on with the other lights and off too. Plus right now they are on the same switch as the interior cold cathodes.

 

whew! thats over my head a little.... i dont know how to do the relay thing, but i just grounded it and now it works, but once i figure out what the hell a relay is and how to hook it up ill do it.... and i need to order it of course!

 

If you just ground out the switch like this aren't the fogs no longer grounded?

 

The way the factory circuit works:

There is a green wire and a black wire going to the foglight switch. When the green wire is grounded the lights come on - no matter what the state of the headlights, key, or fog light switch. As it comes from the factory, the black wire at the foglight goes to ground any time the headlights are on low beam. If you also have the fog light switch on, then the foglights come on since the black wire is grounded and the switch is close which grounds the green wire. If you turn off the switch, the green wire is no longer grounded and the fog lights so off. Also if you turn off the headlights or turn on the high beams then the black wire is no longer grounded and the fog lights go off.

The green wire goes to the fog light relay to complete the circuit when grounded and pick the fog light relay and make the lights come on.

The simple mod:

Just clip the black wire and ground the end coming from the switch. This makes the fog lights come on any time the switch is on no matter what else is on or off. The downside is that if you don't flip the switch off when you stop the car they will stay on and drain the battery. Also if you don't remember to turn the switch on they will not come on when you get in the car.

The mod using the relay:

Taps into some switched 12v source (I used the cig lighter) to run the relay control, the relay contacts connect the black wire of the switch to ground when the relay is powered. Doing it this way turns the fog lights into "running lights" that come on when the key is on - but you can still switch them off using the fog light switch. Other folks might want to run the relay off the parking lights (for example) so the fogs come off/on with the parking or headlights (either high or low beam). For me, I like having them as DRLs to make it easier for folks to see me and hopefully not pull out or turn in front in front of me.

Dennis

 

I did the simple way today... works just fine, although, I'll probably do a relay soon.

 

yeah i kept leaving my fogs on and killing my battery so it died... i also tried grounding it to my halos... died again DX

what world...

 

^ So stop leaving em on...