DIY: Fog Lights on w/ High Beams

[anothernord]

This mod will allow your factory fog lights to stay on when your high beams are activated. This worked on my 97' outback without the DRL.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not responsible for anything you do yadeyadyea. Also, as far as I know, this mod is illegal, so be careful. You have been warned.

It would be advisable to disconnect the negative battery terminal before doing this project.

Tools Required:

-Wire strippers
-Phillips screwdriver
-Pin or tiny flat blade screwdriver
-Soldering gun
-10mm socket

Materials:

-1/4" Eye connector
-Shrink tubing
~12 inches of wire (16-18 gauge is fine)
-Electrical tape

---1:
Remove the gauge bezel covering the gauges by removing the 4 Phillips screws:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3022-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3023-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3021-1.jpg


---2:
Unplug the cruise and defrost switches, as well as the fog switch. Now remove the bezel.

---3:
Looking at the fog light plug from the back, cut the yellow and blue wire on the bottom left side.
Strip the end still attached to the plug and insulate the other end with electrical tape.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3016-1.jpg

---4:
Remove the wire pigtail using a small pin to pry up the retainer from the front of the plug.

---5:
Take the pigtail you just removed, the 12 inches of wire, and the eyelet connector, and solder everything together as shown.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3017-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3018-1.jpg

---6:
Remove the driver kick panel below the steering wheel by removing the 2 Phillips screws and popping the panel out.
Now take your new wire and plug it back into the same slot on the connector that it was removed.
Then run the eyelet down through the hole in the dash.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3019-1.jpg

---7:
Unscrew the 10mm bolt that holds the trim piece down and slide the eyelet under the plastic so it touches the metal frame, and reinstall the screw.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3020-1.jpg

---8:
Reinstall kick panel,
Plug fog, cruise, and defrost plugs back in,
Reinstall dash trim
Test everything out, the fogs should come stay on with low and high beams!

[T_F_E]

Out to garage to do this now....


EDIT: Project was a success, thanks!

[caffeine]

Add this one to my list of stuff to do next time I'm in the shop :smt023

[4n70n1n0]

So your grounding the wire that comes from the switch not the wire that comes from the fog light.

I tried this once and it didn't work for me, but I'll give it another try

THANKS FOR PICS! :smt023

[anothernord]

Yes, you're grounding the wire that comes out of the plug on the switch.

[4n70n1n0]

nother question

This won't make it independent from the low beam. You still need to turn ur low beams on for the fogs to turn on right?

[anothernord]

nother question

This won't make it independent from the low beam. You still need to turn your low beams on for the fogs to turn on right?

The fog relay must be powered independantly.

[BenO]

Why might this be illegal?

Also, do they still automatically turn off with the car?

[anothernord]

It is mostly a disclaimer because they were specifically designed to come off with the high beams. I just don't want to put myself in any possible legal problems. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

[hellaGT]

Nice! I was thinking of doing this mod, thanks for the write-up and pics.

[)2edline]

Hey guys, I did the mod for the fogs staying on with highs, and it worked out great.

However, I'm trying to make them completely independent and I opted to go the path using a piggy-back fuse holder through the cabin fusebox

I went with fuse 3 - Accessory Socket and Mirrors, and stuck the 20A in for the stock socket, and then a 10 amp for the piggy-back to the white wire.

Again and again, the fuses kept blowing, through 10-15-20-25-30. Should I go another path or is there a certain fuse rating I need to support the power?

edit - would it be better to just splice it in to the accessory socket wire instead of the fusebox connection?

Double edit - This is the white wire I'm running it to from the fusebox piggy-back

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/06/Harness-1.jpg

[anothernord]

The actual fog light relay is powered by the 12V from the headlight relay wire. Basically you have to find the 12V in line for the fog light relay, then connect that to the battery or a 12V source. The plug's wires can't be changed to make the fog lights come on without the headlights on.

[)2edline]

In your post before, you stated that the white wire is that relay from the headlights, and in connecting it to a constant 12V source, that I would get fully independent fogs.

I found a viable 12V source coming from the Accessory Socket, so that it is only enabled with the key in the ACC position and not from the battery. With the information in the thread it should work, but the method I'm using with the piggy-back fuse holder, I'm blowing loads of fuses.

If I instead dump the piggy-back idea and splice straight into the accessory socket lead, by removing the console, will I attain better results?

[anothernord]

Oh shoot, I forgot to edit that post, I have since found out that the relay must be powered independently, not the switch. I apologized for not editing that post and causing the confusion.

So yeah, find the fog relay under the dash somewhere, and take the wire that activates the relay (12V low current) and attach it to a constant 12V source.

[RedEvilWgn]

Excellent write up! It was nice to take a break from doing normal dealer service work and do something fun for once! :lol: :lol: :grin: :grin:

[Darkebane]

I tried this on my 97 LGT and it didn't seem to work.. any suggestions?

[anothernord]

I tried this on my 97 LGT and it didn't seem to work.. any suggestions?

Well, just double check your connections; there are a couple of the same colored wires on the plug so you can get them mixed up.

[Darkebane]

Yeah theres 2x yellow/blue...i tried them both...

[anothernord]

Yeah theres 2x yellow/blue...i tried them both...

Did you make sure that you were grounding the wire that comes from the plug?

[Darkebane]

Yeah i left the little insert thing into the plug, cut the wire gounded the end that comes from the plug..nothing.

[anothernord]

It should work. Just flip on the high beams and try and see if the fogs can be turned on and off while the high beam is on.

[Darkebane]

I give up..ive tried everything and nothing works. Ill just wait till i get my JDM foglights and wire them fully independant.

[anothernord]

I give up..ive tried everything and nothing works. Ill just wait till i get my JDM foglights and wire them fully independant.

Remember that this DIY does not make them come on without the headlights, it just allows them to be on while the high beams are on.

[Darkebane]

Yep i realise that, and they dont go on with my highbeams when flicking the switch for them.

[anothernord]

Hmm. That's odd. Anyway, good luck with your JDM fogs, they're pretty cool.

[Soul Shinobi]

I've got a question. My '98 Legacy L Wagon didn't come with fog lights, and I don't see the connector for the switch behind the dead panel. I'll look harder later, taking off the bezel. Is it possible that I don't have the fog relay? I have the fog fuse. I know the relay is up in the dash, but I couldn't find anything one way or another, you know how cramped it is... I'm trying to be scientific about this, I am looking through a lot of factory wiring data.

[anothernord]

I've got a question. My '98 Legacy L Wagon didn't come with fog lights, and I don't see the connector for the switch behind the dead panel. I'll look harder later, taking off the bezel. Is it possible that I don't have the fog relay? I have the fog fuse. I know the relay is up in the dash, but I couldn't find anything one way or another, you know how cramped it is... I'm trying to be scientific about this, I am looking through a lot of factory wiring data.

I can hear my relay click on and off, but I can't find it up there as well. I think it could be possible that you don't have the relay at all, and if that's the case, then Its actually easier to wire in fogs, since you don't have to dig around for stuff.

[Soul Shinobi]

I currently have some cheap fogs wired up to the switch that came with them, and yes it's easy to wire it independently, and not hard to wire it to the factory switch by adding a relay. But what I want is factory function (minus them turning off with the highbeams!). I actually drew up a wiring diagram for what I'd have to do if I wanted the fogs to turn off with the headlights/ignition, and the light in the switch to come on with the other dash lights. I could do it, but it'd be a pain.

Ah hell I'll MS paint it, I've got nothing better to do. Except sleep, but whatever.

http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa135/car/custom_fog_wiring_01.jpg

I would have to add every wire there (except the fog light wires, they're in place) and the relay if I don't have the connector and want all my fancy functionality.

KEEP IN MIND that when wiring to a fuse you should remove the fuse and test for voltage to ground on each side of the fuse's seat (headlights will have to be on when you do this for MB-8 fuse 26) and install the wire on the non-voltage (ground) side of the fuse so that the item plugged into it actually gets power through the fuse, and is therefor not a monumental fire hazard.

[anothernord]

Nice diagram! I think I may just wire mine up like that; I have my HID Blazer fogs just hijacked off the stock relay and such, and as it is, the fogs can't come on without the main beams on as well. I also have Hella 500 driving lights that I will hook up to another fog switch! Thanks for the diagram, and I sure it will help others!

[Soul Shinobi]

Keep in mind my diagram is so that the fogs do not go on without the headlights, just like the factory setup. And since the headlight go off with the ignition, the fogs can't be left on when the car is off.

I updated the picture's text. I also added a warning to my post above about wiring to fuses.

[Soul Shinobi]

Wired it all up tonight just like my diagram, I'm so glad it works! Most complicated thing I've done with wiring. :grin:

EDIT: Some detail: I soldered different colored wires to each wire on the back of the switch connector that I cut out of a car at a junk yard. Then I wrote those colors in the right places on the wiring diagram, installed the little harness, then connected things under the dash. When I dropped the kickboard I found a place to screw down the relay I had. After putting the kickboard back up at the end, I was sure to secure wires out of the way, but in such a way the dropping the kickboard in the future would not put tension on them. Both fuses are only hot when the headlights are on.

[anothernord]

How exactly did you attach the wires to the pins of the stock fog switch? Or did you get the pigtail with the switch?

[Soul Shinobi]

I clipped the connector with 1.5" of wire off of a junk yard car the second time I went to Holland's. I had actually bought some little clips to put on each pin, I was going to heat-shrink each one, but then, like I said, found a proper connector.

[assa9]

I live out in the boonies of Montana, and I drive 20 miles or so every morning in the dark, dodging deer, elk, etc. This will help see the road sides when the high beams are off due to oncoming traffic. This mod took me maybe 30 minutes to perform, the hardest part was putting the screws back in! :grin: Seriously, thank you for posting this mod, I have searched all over for just this thing.

[2000gtb]

now would this go for the BE n BH... I was also thinking, (ive done on aftermarket fogs) instead of grounding the wire to the chasis, would it be possible to ground it with the parking light?? that way you can activate the fogs with the parking light.. if my theory is right.. when you kill the ignition, it should automatically shut everything off???????????????

[WESTcoast]

hmmm i might do this when it stops raining!! Im going to look into having my fog lights wired into my parking lights as I want them to come on when I turn the lights on "fog mode?? (please correct me, its when the turn signal lights come on but not the headlights) Does anyone know what im talking about haha

[Soul Shinobi]

Yes, I think you mean when you turn the light switch only one click so that the corner lights are on. The parking lights are different, that's the corner lights plus reverse lights, and that has its own switch on top of the steering column.

[anothernord]

I have the parking lights of my JDM projectors wired to the parking lights. So what you would need to do is use the circuit from the parking wires to also complete the circuit to turn on the fog relay.

[rstimpreza]

anyone can show or post to do independent fogs without the low beam on just the parking lights.

[anothernord]

anyone can show or post to do independent fogs without the low beam on just the parking lights.

You have to find the fog light relay,and connect it straight to the battery.

[mrpyb]

and this relay is located in the dash right? do we have any idea where it is?

[anothernord]

and this relay is located in the dash right? do we have any idea where it is?

It's not listed in the Haynes manual, but you can hear it clicking under there somewhere. I need to find some time to check it out.

[mrpyb]

i'll be checking over spring break so let me know if you find it before then :lol: i've got some wiring in my dash from the battery that would hook right up so i'd love to know where it is

[Soul Shinobi]

Im going to look into having my fog lights wired into my parking lights as I want them to come on when I turn the lights on "fog mode?? (please correct me, its when the turn signal lights come on but not the headlights) Does anyone know what im talking about haha

anyone can show or post to do independent fogs without the low beam on just the parking lights.
Alright guys, I think I found out how to do this. I started looking it up because I wanted to be able to do 'fog mode' too after seeing another car on the road with just corners and fogs on. I think all you have to do is wire to FB-6 (under dash) Fuse No. 5 INSTEAD OF MB-8 (under hood) Fuse No. 26. Gonna try it tomorrow. EDIT: Yep, it worked!

________________________________|
FB-6 fuse 5 instead of fuse 26 below: \/
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/10/custom_fog_wiring_01-1.jpg

[Sambo]

i think im going to try to do this how complicated was it ?

[Soul Shinobi]

You'll have to spend a good 15-30 minutes studying the wiring diagram to find the wire colors and locations, but that's the definitely the hard part. The parts are simple, a relay, lots of wire (different colors help to keep you straight), connectors to hook up the relay/battery/tap into other wires. Wires that go to fuses can just have the fuse put in over the wire end. It's a bit time consuming.

Maybe I'll take a picture soon if I can make the camera catch it all under the dash. I need a better file server... I'd take more pictures.

[caoutback]

[quote="Soul Shinobi"]I actually drew up a wiring diagram for what I'd have to do if I wanted the fogs to turn off with the headlights/ignition, and the light in the switch to come on with the other dash lights. I could do it, but it'd be a pain.

Ah hell I'll MS paint it, I've got nothing better to do. Except sleep, but whatever.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/10/custom_fog_wiring_01-1.jpg

Thank you so much Soul Shinobi as I want to do this with other lights with the factory switch as well but didn't know which wires where which. I've wanted to have my fogs stay on with the high beams as well so I'll be doing that too this weekend.

[Soul Shinobi]

Yeah I'm pretty amazing. :cool: But in all seriousness this was my first 'real' wiring job I've done. It took me a long time and a lot of double checking but it was very satisfying and educational. Most satisfying is that others can put it to use; thank you, sir! :grin:

[caoutback]

Yeah, when it comes to "real" wiring I'm better at releasing the smoke from the wires and everything else so I just try and get everything done the simple way (diagrams) or help from friends.

[Soul Shinobi]

The real hard part is making the leap from staring at diagrams to making it happen on the car. I can't tell you how many times complex or even simple things made sense on paper, only to find myself struck dumb when there's an actual car in front of me.

[LIMITED]

now would this go for the BE n BH... I was also thinking, (ive done on aftermarket fogs) instead of grounding the wire to the chasis, would it be possible to ground it with the parking light?? that way you can activate the fogs with the parking light.. if my theory is right.. when you kill the ignition, it should automatically shut everything off???????????????


Wondering same thing.
Does this work with BE???

[dvancleve]

Thanks for this documentation guys :)

So, to clarify (or beat a dead horse), the anothernord mod (simple) makes it so the fogs can stay on with high beams in addition to low beams and they shut off if the car is turned off (like the headlights). The ground can actually attach anywhere there will be metal to metal contact with the chassis/unibody, correct?

The Soul Shinobi mod (relatively complicated) makes it so the fogs can be on with the corner/parking lights (middle click on stalk). It doesn't make it so they can remain on with the high beams, but the two mods can be used together?

Doug

[Soul Shinobi]

the anothernord mod (simple) makes it so the fogs can stay on with high beams in addition to low beams and they shut off if the car is turned off (like the headlights). The ground can actually attach anywhere there will be metal to metal contact with the chassis/unibody, correct?It makes it so the fogs can stay on with the high beams. Our headlights have a low and high beam filament in one bulb, so the low and high beams can't be on together (the heat generated would likely be destructive). In our cars the low beams always go off when the highs go on, all we're doing is letting the fogs stay on when the highs come on (they usually shut off with the highs). Ground can be any metal that connects to the chassis, yes.


The Soul Shinobi mod (relatively complicated) makes it so the fogs can be on with the corner/parking lights (middle click on stalk). It doesn't make it so they can remain on with the high beams, but the two mods can be used together?The diagram I made is for the 'fogs with highs' mod already, it just includes the addition of the factory switch if one wasn't already present. To enable this 'fog and corners' mode you do have to disregard one thing in my diagram as I stated: "All you have to do is wire to 'FB-6 (under dash) Fuse No. 5' INSTEAD OF 'MB-8 (under hood) Fuse No. 26.' "

EDIT: I'm now editing the diagram I made for easier use with stock systems, including wire color.

[dvancleve]

the anothernord mod (simple) makes it so the fogs can stay on with high beams in addition to low beams and they shut off if the car is turned off (like the headlights). The ground can actually attach anywhere there will be metal to metal contact with the chassis/unibody, correct?It makes it so the fogs can stay on with the high beams. Our headlights have a low and high beam filament in one bulb, so the low and high beams can't be on together (the heat generated would likely be destructive). In our cars the low beams always go off when the highs go on, all we're doing is letting the fogs stay on when the highs come on (they usually shut off with the highs). Ground can be any metal that connects to the chassis, yes.


The Soul Shinobi mod (relatively complicated) makes it so the fogs can be on with the corner/parking lights (middle click on stalk). It doesn't make it so they can remain on with the high beams, but the two mods can be used together?The diagram I made is for the 'fogs with highs' mod already, it just includes the addition of the factory switch if one wasn't already present. To enable this 'fog and corners' mode you do have to disregard one thing in my diagram as I stated: "All you have to do is wire to 'FB-6 (under dash) Fuse No. 5' INSTEAD OF 'MB-8 (under hood) Fuse No. 26.' "

EDIT: I'm now editing the diagram I made for easier use with stock systems, including wire color.

Yeah, I wasn't very clear but I meant that the fogs could be on with high or low beams not that all three could be on at once... So the relay you show is the existing fog light relay, assuming the car has one? So what would then be needed is a bunch of wire and the fuse holders (and soldering/crimping equipment and heat shrink tubing)?

Thanks again, Doug

[Soul Shinobi]

If you already have fogs lights you don't need to worry about anything in the diagram except the yellow/blue wire on the switch plug, which you have to ground (and cover up the other end) if you want fogs with highs.

The black/yellow wire, which now that I think about it, I don't know what you'd do with it in a factory system to allow the fogs to come on with corners. I don't know if you have to disconnect stock power at fuse 26 before feeding power from fuse 5 into that wire to allow fogs to come on with corners. I think you'd have to so power doesn't backfeed when the corners are on, blowing fuse 5 or worse. The wire coming from fuse 26 is really hard to get to, not sure it's a practical option on stock cars.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3016-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/11/custom_fog_wiring_02-1.jpg

Oh, here's the factory diagram I've been working off of, the connector in question is (I7).

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/11/factory_fog_wiring-1.jpg

[dvancleve]

Thanks Nick :) I think the simple mod is the one for me, but options are always good... Doug

[Subieee]

DID NOT WORK!!! -__-
Double checked 1000 times, so i gave up! lol

[Soul Shinobi]

What part didn't work? Which version of the mod here were you attempting?

[Subieee]

The first page from anothernord
I followed the steps & they didn't go on unless the headlights were on

[Soul Shinobi]

My first suspicion is that the ground wire you installed isn't actually making its way to ground do to paint or plastic being in the way. Thoughts on that?

[mrpyb]

The first page from anothernord
I followed the steps & they didn't go on unless the headlights were on
anothernord's mod is just to keep the fogs on when the high beams are activated. it sounds like you're trying to get them on without the headlights on, you need soul shinobi's mod for this. good luck!

[Soul Shinobi]

Thanks for putting that plainly, I actually missed that entirely myself. I forgot what each mod did myself, it's been a while!

[Subieee]

I actually grounded to bare metal. In the original post, he says to ground it behind the plastic which i didn't understand, which is why i decided to ground elsewhere

Any other ideas? lol

[Soul Shinobi]

Look back two posts, mrpyb nailed it.

[Soul Shinobi]

To clear some details up, "dimmer and passing switch" is in fact the illumination control module, and the wire on it that need to be tapped is yellow and blue (as can be seen on its pin 2 in the factory diagram).


If you already have fogs lights you don't need to worry about anything in the diagram except the yellow/blue wire on the switch plug, which you have to ground (and cover up the other end) if you want fogs with highs.

The black/yellow wire, which now that I think about it, I don't know what you'd do with it in a factory system to allow the fogs to come on with corners. I don't know if you have to disconnect stock power at fuse 26 before feeding power from fuse 5 into that wire to allow fogs to come on with corners. I think you'd have to so power doesn't backfeed when the corners are on, blowing fuse 5 or worse. The wire coming from fuse 26 is really hard to get to, not sure it's a practical option on stock cars.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_3016-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/11/custom_fog_wiring_02-1.jpg

Oh, here's the factory diagram I've been working off of, the connector in question is (I7).

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/11/factory_fog_wiring-1.jpg