LunchBox04V
12-03-2011, 11:15 PM
Hello. It has been a while since I was on here, and its about time I got back. lol So to kick things off, I have a fun electrical issue. Yes, I know it is for a Forester (2002) but I thought it was close enough to the Legacy, and I wanted to ask the brains here what they think. So, here we go....
Basic info:
2002 Forester with disabled DRL's.
Retrofited with TRS (The Retrofit Source) D2S projectors.
Issue is with UN-modified foglights (switch and wiring).
Here are some before and after pictures:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/IMG_0509-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/IMG_0510-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/28c28db5-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/54936f22-1.jpg
This is the email I sent to TRS (Super nice, and VERY helpful guys, highly recommended)
Compatibility
Improper Foglight operatiion after headlight install
Hello,
I would like to say how amazing the headlights are now, and that I am 120% pleased. I am having a little wiring/operational issue, that I am sure can be solved. I installed the D2S projectors on my mothers 2002 Subaru Forester (I have written a step by step install guide, if you would like it. Installed because she was having trouble seeing at night.... Problem solved!). The Subaru cars use a switchable ground system for the headlights, and was originally running a 9003 bulb (3 prong). We also disabled the daytime running lights to get proper voltage at all times. The fog lights on the car are the factory originals, with factory original wiring. They are un-modified.
We got the HID's and projectors running right away once the install was complete. We did have to change the male plug to match the Subaru wiring. It was originally (looking from the back of the plug) Left: Blue, Top: White, Right: Red. We had to change it to get proper operation to Left: White, Top: Blue, Right: Red. Though, one thing I forgot to check was operation with foglights. Lol my mother just notified me that the headlights were not operating properly when the foglights were used. (when she first noticed it, she stopped using the foglights to prevent damage)
Normal operation would be foglights ON when the low beams are ON, then foglights OFF (automatically) when the high beams are ON. (this includes the flash function) What we are getting is this.....
Once the headlights are turned ON (low beam), then the foglights are turned ON (still correct operation)(initially turned ON). Once high beams are selected (either normally, or using the flash) the foglights turn OFF, and the projector goes to high beam (FIRST use of high beams). *When selected back to low beam, the projector remains in the high beam position (the cut-off is still flipped up), and the foglights come ON (improper operation).*
So, we will have low beams selected, but have high beams, with foglights. Returning the headlight selector to high beam, and back to low beam fails to solve the problem. However, once the foglights are turned OFF (using the switch) the headlight operation returns to normal.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. My electrical wiring experience is low, but I'm guessing there is a back flow of power, that can be solved with a diode. Though I could be way off. We were also talking about making the foglights run independently from the headlights (using a ground from the parking lights), as a possible solution to this as well. Thus removing their function with the headlights altogether. Thank you in advance, and even if she never used foglights again, she would still be pleased.
This is the reply that I got:
Thanks for the inquiry! Due to overwhelming e-mail volume after the holiday, we're getting back to everybody as soon as possible, so thanks in advance for your patience. Unfortunately, the fog light integration to the HID setup is independent of our harness so my recommendation would be to go with your idea of separating the fog lights from the headlights and to a switch instead. If we can be of any additional assistance don't hesitate to ask!
A. @ TRS
I have to say I am still 120% pleased with the service, and the lights. We just need to figure out my moms Forester. lol
So this is the solution I was going to try.
First: Ground the Foglight switch, as some others have posted. Basically taking the Number 3 or 6 pin on the stock foglight switch (which ever is the ground for the switch operation) and ground that. This I guess has mixed reviews (but it will remove its operation for the headlight stalk).
Second: Re-power the foglight relay. So, find an independent 12 volt power source (say parking lights, or even the cigaret lighter) to run the relay. (Not the foglight power side, the switchable side).
I believe that those two mods would make the fog lights 100% independent. Thus solving the problem. Any tips or help would be outstanding. Again, I know this is a Forester, but I figured it was still close enough to the Legacy, I would see what you folks think. Thanks again, and I would really recommend TRS for your retrofit parts. They are super nice, and helpful.
Basic info:
2002 Forester with disabled DRL's.
Retrofited with TRS (The Retrofit Source) D2S projectors.
Issue is with UN-modified foglights (switch and wiring).
Here are some before and after pictures:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/IMG_0509-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/IMG_0510-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/28c28db5-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/54936f22-1.jpg
This is the email I sent to TRS (Super nice, and VERY helpful guys, highly recommended)
Compatibility
Improper Foglight operatiion after headlight install
Hello,
I would like to say how amazing the headlights are now, and that I am 120% pleased. I am having a little wiring/operational issue, that I am sure can be solved. I installed the D2S projectors on my mothers 2002 Subaru Forester (I have written a step by step install guide, if you would like it. Installed because she was having trouble seeing at night.... Problem solved!). The Subaru cars use a switchable ground system for the headlights, and was originally running a 9003 bulb (3 prong). We also disabled the daytime running lights to get proper voltage at all times. The fog lights on the car are the factory originals, with factory original wiring. They are un-modified.
We got the HID's and projectors running right away once the install was complete. We did have to change the male plug to match the Subaru wiring. It was originally (looking from the back of the plug) Left: Blue, Top: White, Right: Red. We had to change it to get proper operation to Left: White, Top: Blue, Right: Red. Though, one thing I forgot to check was operation with foglights. Lol my mother just notified me that the headlights were not operating properly when the foglights were used. (when she first noticed it, she stopped using the foglights to prevent damage)
Normal operation would be foglights ON when the low beams are ON, then foglights OFF (automatically) when the high beams are ON. (this includes the flash function) What we are getting is this.....
Once the headlights are turned ON (low beam), then the foglights are turned ON (still correct operation)(initially turned ON). Once high beams are selected (either normally, or using the flash) the foglights turn OFF, and the projector goes to high beam (FIRST use of high beams). *When selected back to low beam, the projector remains in the high beam position (the cut-off is still flipped up), and the foglights come ON (improper operation).*
So, we will have low beams selected, but have high beams, with foglights. Returning the headlight selector to high beam, and back to low beam fails to solve the problem. However, once the foglights are turned OFF (using the switch) the headlight operation returns to normal.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. My electrical wiring experience is low, but I'm guessing there is a back flow of power, that can be solved with a diode. Though I could be way off. We were also talking about making the foglights run independently from the headlights (using a ground from the parking lights), as a possible solution to this as well. Thus removing their function with the headlights altogether. Thank you in advance, and even if she never used foglights again, she would still be pleased.
This is the reply that I got:
Thanks for the inquiry! Due to overwhelming e-mail volume after the holiday, we're getting back to everybody as soon as possible, so thanks in advance for your patience. Unfortunately, the fog light integration to the HID setup is independent of our harness so my recommendation would be to go with your idea of separating the fog lights from the headlights and to a switch instead. If we can be of any additional assistance don't hesitate to ask!
A. @ TRS
I have to say I am still 120% pleased with the service, and the lights. We just need to figure out my moms Forester. lol
So this is the solution I was going to try.
First: Ground the Foglight switch, as some others have posted. Basically taking the Number 3 or 6 pin on the stock foglight switch (which ever is the ground for the switch operation) and ground that. This I guess has mixed reviews (but it will remove its operation for the headlight stalk).
Second: Re-power the foglight relay. So, find an independent 12 volt power source (say parking lights, or even the cigaret lighter) to run the relay. (Not the foglight power side, the switchable side).
I believe that those two mods would make the fog lights 100% independent. Thus solving the problem. Any tips or help would be outstanding. Again, I know this is a Forester, but I figured it was still close enough to the Legacy, I would see what you folks think. Thanks again, and I would really recommend TRS for your retrofit parts. They are super nice, and helpful.