Fog light mod

[withac]

I don't see this anywhere yet and a lot of you have probably aready seen and or done this, but since we're all getting a new start here I thought it wouldn't hurt to start posting a few of these.

Okay, I did this to my 2000 ‘Ho and it worked great. I’m not sure what years it will work with, I got the write up from JKmotorsports, thanks JK. I got it when I was hanging out at that other Tahoe forum. I’ve changed it very little. It’s a real quick, real easy mod.

Here is what you do. Your fogs will be on when ever your parking lights are on. You go behind the headlight switch and jumper a wire from the switch over to the parking light wire. Simple as that. Its just you have no control over them now and they will be on when ever your orange lights are on. But that means they will be on with just low, or lows and highs. It will work it did it on my 02. (I guess this was JK’s comment, maybe somebody elses)

Remove the dash trim. I found this easiest to do if I slid out the ash tray so I could pry on the trim there, then worked my way around the bottom. Remove the headlight and fog light/rear wiper assemblies. If you look at the pics, there is a tab on the top and bottom of the fog switch. I’m pretty sure it was on the top of the headlight assembly as well. Slide something thin in between the assembly and the trim it’s mounted in and it’s pretty easy to gently disengage the tabs.

I assume all rides are wired the same but I’d test the wires first to be sure. You don’t need a volt meter, just a simple circuit tester will work, I’ve included a pic of what I used. Behind the parking/headlight switch test the wires for power when you turn the parking lights on. It is the light blue wire on my ride. Others have power constantly but you want the one that turns on and off with the parking lights. Behind the fog light switch check the orange, black, and purple wires. You want the wire that turns on and off when you push the fog light button. Mine is purple. Now use a piece of 14-18 gauge wire and a couple of in-line wire taps to jumper the two wires. This should get your fogs to come on with the parking lights and stay on when you switch to high beams.

[HMFDZ28]

Not a fan of the blue quick taps (they tend to heat up and fail) but sounds like a cool mod

[BOSS]

Excellent write up...keep em coming bro!


BOSS

[withac]

Thanks guys. I heard complaints about the T-taps coming loose before but not the blue in-line ones. I wouldn't have thought there would be that much draw there but then I don't know Jack about electrical systems.

[BOSS]

Since I have no electrical knowledge WHAT-soever, I've got my work cut out for me, I'm doing a mod that, as far as I know, has never been done the way I'm attempting. I know it can be done, it's just a matter of my dumbass figuring it out...now I know who I can hit up for help ;-)

BOSS

[HMFDZ28]

The Blue ones arent too bad but I have seen them fail. Most failures I have seen are when they are used in grills and exterior in general. People try and take the easy route when installing grill LEDS and then well I gotta go fix it lol. If I seen them in a chiefs truck or pd car my company requires me to fix it lol.

[withac]

My logic is that for inside the dash like they are I'll be okay. Hope I'm right. I did the 4-hi mod so my high beams stay on with my lows. I used the blue taps just to make sure I had things wired right then when I knew I had it I took them off and cut the wires and spliced them using crimp connectors. I need to go elevate my knee (ACL surgery last Wed) but some time when I have more time I'll write that one up with some pics too. That one is well worth it. I've also got an instrument cluster light change over (gives you a different color) write up in the wings. I came up with none of these myself, just got them from guys who know more than I do. But they work and are easy so when I get around to it I'll post up. That is unless someone beats me to the punch.

[HMFDZ28]

I can deff see your logic... and for temping to see if it will even work the way ya want lol. I love seeing and reading write ups. It just shows how creative people can be. Keep up the great work man!! BTW feel better bro... ACL surgury has got to suck! I had three surguries on my ankle to put it back together and that blew!

[road1will]

thanks for the write up. i've been wanting to do this forever.

[Yang1815]

Very nice. I did the diode one.

[vatahoelt]

I did a little different set up for my tahoe. I actually wired my existing fogs to run while my DRLs on. I then installed an aftermarket set of fogs on my Westin Bull Bar, which I control with the factory fog light switch. No extra relays or anything were needed. Just cut the wires from the back of the fogs and spliced into the DRLs wires. Then ran new wire from the existing fog light wiring to the new fogs. Took about 45 mins total.

[Yuke2K]

I did a little different set up for my tahoe. I actually wired my existing fogs to run while my DRLs on. I then installed an aftermarket set of fogs on my Westin Bull Bar, which I control with the factory fog light switch. No extra relays or anything were needed. Just cut the wires from the back of the fogs and spliced into the DRLs wires. Then ran new wire from the existing fog light wiring to the new fogs. Took about 45 mins total.

Now THAT is a cool idea. I'm getting a Go Rhino push bumper eventually, and I was planning on mounting some PIAAs on it. Not sure if I want the fogs only on w/ the DRLs, so I might just splice the PIAAs into the existing fog lamp wiring. Not sure how exactly I want to set it up yet...but I like the idea of not have 47 switches in my dash for accessory lighting. I'm all about clean.

[vatahoelt]

Now THAT is a cool idea. I'm getting a Go Rhino push bumper eventually, and I was planning on mounting some PIAAs on it. Not sure if I want the fogs only on w/ the DRLs, so I might just splice the PIAAs into the existing fog lamp wiring. Not sure how exactly I want to set it up yet...but I like the idea of not have 47 switches in my dash for accessory lighting. I'm all about clean.

i agree. plus trying to run all those wires and stuff everywhere can get hectic.

because really, the stock fogs don't really do much and if you notice at night they bounce around quite a bit. i had also just spent $35 replacing one that had gotten stolen. so i didn't want them just sitting there. so this way they at least get used and it makes me a little bit more visible on the road with all the crazies out there.

[Yuke2K]

Yeah, I gotta replace one of mine too, the bulb in it was blown when I bought the truck. And when I say blown, I mean the thing physically exploded. The housing is completely destroyed inside. I have yet to determined what caused it since it happened before I owned the truck.

I think I'm just gonna replace everything in one shot since all of the lenses are so worn. I'll do the grille shell, turn signal lenses, fog lamps and Denali headlights all at the same time. Should breathe a little life back into the front end.

[Mr45]

Now THAT is a cool idea. I'm getting a Go Rhino push bumper eventually, and I was planning on mounting some PIAAs on it. Not sure if I want the fogs only on w/ the DRLs, so I might just splice the PIAAs into the existing fog lamp wiring. Not sure how exactly I want to set it up yet...but I like the idea of not have 47 switches in my dash for accessory lighting. I'm all about clean.

You'll like that Go Rhino....I love mine....

[Yuke2K]

You'll like that Go Rhino....I love mine....

Good to hear. It's on the wish list, but I have my LQ4 sitting in a crate which still needs a cam and some other goodies before I drop it in...plus I need to beef up my trans. Gotta prioritize my cash. If I can score a used one for cheap and have it re-powdercoated or something, I'd do it. But they are a rare find on craigslist.

[Dvldogyut]

Very easy worked great!

[bub]

nice write up but i was curious about something. so the fog light button has no function anymore and you won't be able to turn them off if you wanted?

[withac]

yep

[97transam]

Always been annoyed that I had to constantly remember to push the fog lamp button on. Thanks for the write up for this easy mod/fix.

[PUGLIA]

Nice write up Thnx

[puckhead]

Tagged for later this week! I have about 5 mods stacked up now lol

[withac]

Yeah, quick, easy, worth it, IMHO. With the 4-hi mod it really helps fill in that last little spot between the lows and the truck.

[ScottyBoy]

Thats a cool mod. I would do it if my truck came with fogs from the factory. I have OEM fogs, but I aded them myself, along with my own wiring, switch, and relay harness. I installed a low profile rocker switch in place of the stock foglight switch, and it wired to the ignition for a power source. When switched on, it sends 12v to a relay under the hood which then sends power directly from the battery to my HID ballasts for the foglights. I like how I have it wired to the ignition. I can leave the switch on all the time and they function as DRLs during the day, and fogs at night. Plus I never have to worry about a dead battery if I forget to turn them off because they turn off as soon as I turn the key off. And if I want the fogs off at night, I can flip them off. If I want just the fogs on, I can turn all other lights off and flip the fogs on. Its totally independent from all the other lights.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/DSC01890.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/DSC01883.jpg

[withac]

Thats a cool mod. I would do it if my truck came with fogs from the factory. I have OEM fogs, but I aded them myself, along with my own wiring, switch, and relay harness. I installed a low profile rocker switch in place of the stock foglight switch, and it wired to the ignition for a power source. When switched on, it sends 12v to a relay under the hood which then sends power directly from the battery to my HID ballasts for the foglights. I like how I have it wired to the ignition. I can leave the switch on all the time and they function as DRLs during the day, and fogs at night. Plus I never have to worry about a dead battery if I forget to turn them off because they turn off as soon as I turn the key off. And if I want the fogs off at night, I can flip them off. If I want just the fogs on, I can turn all other lights off and flip the fogs on. Its totally independent from all the other lights.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/DSC01890.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/DSC01883.jpg

Nice

[txonmymind]

I'm trying to add fogs to my '03 Tahoe LS. I've already got the lights installed up front and have the wiring sitting around because I can't figure out how to tap into the electrical. The wiring kit came with it's own relay and fuse so I just need to know how to hook it all up. Also, how'd you connect the switch in the dash. I've looked at the rear wiper switch and it looks like one piece, did you just pop off the lower piece to add the fog switch in there? What's the power on that switch? I'm looking at picking up a switch from O'Reillys.Sorry if this is a waste of your time, but I've been looking to do this for over a year now. Any help would be appreciated.

[withac]

I'm not Scotty but hereyago.
Here’s a page on wiring relays.
http://www.mp3car.com/the-faq-emporium/117895-faq-relays-how-they-work-and-how-to-wire-it-up.html
-30 = constant [positive (+)] power (usually wired directly to car battery)
-85 = coil ground (wired to the negative (-) battery terminal or any grounded metal panel in the car)
-86 = coil power (wired to the control source. could be a switch, or it could be the car's IGN or ACC circuit.) THIS COMES FROM YOUR SWITCH, YOU WILL NEED TO TAP A 12V SOURCE SOMEWHERE TO SEND POWER TO THE SWITCH, THE SIGNAL FROM THE SWITCH GOES HERE SO WHEN YOU TURN ON YOUR SWITCH IT SENDS POWER TO THE RELAY ACTIVATING THE RELAY SO IT SENDS THE 12V FROM THE BATTERY TO YOUR LIGHS.
-87 = switched [positive (+)] power output. (when the relay coil is powered, lead/pin 87 is connected to lead/pin 30) THIS IS THE ONE LEADING TO YOUR LIGHTS
-87a = [on 5 lead/pin relays only] this lead/pin is connected to lead/pin 30 when the coil is NOT powered. (NOT USED)

Google SPDT automotive relay and you’ll find plenty

I'm pretty much a noob but if you need more help than this hit me back and I'm sure between the two of us we can figure things out

[txonmymind]

Thanks for info. The wiring I kit bought was fully self contained: light connections, relay, fuse, power and ground wires, and switch. I've got the lights hooked up, the wiring in place, the relay and ground wire attached, and I bought a new low profile rocker switch. The "instructions" that came with the wiring say to hook the power wire directly to the battery; the fuse is in-line on the power wire to the relay. That seems pretty simple to me, but the butt connector at the end isn't big enough to fit on the battery terminal, if I go that route I'll just buy a bigger connection and swap them out. The biggest obstacle left is actually running the wires for the switch into the cab, and placing the new switch with the existing rear-wiper switch. I looked and I think I could probably just dremel a hole for the new switch and it will clip in just fine, leaving me to connect the wiring, which I haven't run into the cab yet. Any ideas for accomplishing these last two feats?

[withac]

You’ll need to come off the positive batter terminal to the relay to power the lights, you’ll need to find a 12 volt source inside the cab to tap to go to the switch. I used a dremel to cut out the holes for my rocker switches. To get the wire into the cab from battery get a thin metal coat hanger, straighten it out, make an oval loop on one end mashing it as flat as you can while still being able to get a wire through the hole. Be sure the end that you have bent back to make the loop is as flush with the long wire as you can get it. Now find where the wires go through your firewall, it will likely be through a rubber boot of some kind. Push the loop through into the cab from the engine compartment side, thread the wire that will power the lights through the loop in the coat hanger, and pull it back through the boot into the engine compartment. Now route it around to your positive battery terminal and zip tie it in place several places.\

Make sense/cover your questions?

[puckhead]

Man withac, you have a ton of good info! Thanks for taking the time to explain it all.

[withac]

Man withac, you have a ton of good info! Thanks for taking the time to explain it all.

No prob, others have been good to help me so try to return the favor, hope I helped

[txonmymind]

Got it withac! Everything is hooked up and the lights are working. One final problem though. The rear wiper has gone on the fritz. As soon as I hooked the power back up, the wiper started going and emptied the washer fluid reservoir. I think I might have bent something on the circuit when I was putting the switches in place. Any suggestions? I disconnected the wiper so it wouldn't burn out the motor, so now I cant use it when it rains, or I want to clean off the window. Dang it all.

[withac]

What wire did you tap for the switch, was it the rear wiper wire? I'm not sure I follow you when you say you might have bent something on the circuit when putting the switches in.

[puckhead]

What would happen if you tapped the fogs into the lows wire instead of the parking lights? It would still work hypothetically right? Just need to figure out which one it is with the tester.

[withac]

not sure, I didn't figure this one out, I was just reprinting what someone else did. I wonder, if you hadn't also done the 4-hi mod, when you turn on the brights, the lows go out, so maybe the fogs would go out when you turn the brights on, the point behind this whole mod is to get them to stay on with the fogs.

[puckhead]

not sure, I didn't figure this one out, I was just reprinting what someone else did. I wonder, if you hadn't also done the 4-hi mod, when you turn on the brights, the lows go out, so maybe the fogs would go out when you turn the brights on, the point behind this whole mod is to get them to stay on with the fogs.

I might see if I can figure it out then. Ill let you know what I find out.

[Dez1371]

You are a life saver...i just did it and it works like a CHARM...i was so tired of pressing that button everytime. Id prefer this over the diode method anyday.

[DenaliAK]

You are a life saver...i just did it and it works like a CHARM...i was so tired of pressing that button everytime. Id prefer this over the diode method anyday.

How lazy have we become?? Those damn buttons, so hard to press...

LOL


J/K...it just sounded so....pathetic. But, I get it. ;)

[Dez1371]

Smdh...there's always one. I meant tired as in annoyed so excuse me if I came off as "pathetic" cause I was trying to sound nice while posting a comment in a forum I'm new to and don't know anyone in. I just wanted to give whoeva posted this credit and thanks...all that extra shit isn't needed. Thanks

[DenaliAK]

Smdh...there's always one. I meant tired as in annoyed so excuse me if I came off as "pathetic" cause I was trying to sound nice while posting a comment in a forum I'm new to and don't know anyone in. I just wanted to give whoeva posted this credit and thanks...all that extra shit isn't needed. Thanks

Ok, new guy, I'll spell it out for ya':

The ;) and J/K (just kidding) meant I was kidding. The "I get it" I thought was self-explanatory, but apparently not. I totally understand making things simpler even though they aren't hard to begin with. I have the six-high mod so I don't have to push that damn button either.

I'm about as nice a guy as you'll find and this is a great site for info with lots of helpful people, but occasionally we give each other light-hearted shit. Just relax and chill out and you'll get along fine.

[dznutts]

Worked like a charm!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!:worship: