Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 30 of 65

Thread: DIY: Fog Lights on w/ High Beams

  1. #1
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    DIY: Fog Lights on w/ High Beams

    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:






    ---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.



    ---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.



    ---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.



    ---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.



    ---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!

  2. #2
    SLi Lurker T_F_E's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Metaline Falls, Washington
    Posts
    426
    Points
    5,665
    Level
    48
    Points: 5,665, Level: 48
    Level completed: 58%, Points required for next Level: 85
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Make fog lights stay on with high beam

    Out to garage to do this now....


    EDIT: Project was a success, thanks!
    Tell me how I'm doing on my 1997 Outback Legacy Limited

    My trucks lugnuts take more torque than my subaru produces.

  3. #3
    New User
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    23
    Points
    4,480
    Level
    42
    Points: 4,480, Level: 42
    Level completed: 65%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    1000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Make fog lights stay on with high beam

    Add this one to my list of stuff to do next time I'm in the shop
    Lifted Legacy and a fast Mazda that run's like crap...

  4. #4
    SLi Resident 4n70n1n0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Central MA, USA
    Posts
    808
    Points
    10,725
    Level
    68
    Points: 10,725, Level: 68
    Level completed: 69%, Points required for next Level: 125
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: DIY: Make fog lights stay on with high beam

    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!
    Ant My Subaru fleet:
    -98 2.5GT(BD6) - RIP
    -95 L(BK) - SOLD
    -99 OBS(GF) - Wife's Daily - no Member's Ride II thead yet either
    -98 BD6(Yes, another GT ) - no Member's Ride I thead yet either
    - Daily Driver

  5. #5
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Make fog lights stay on with high beam

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

  6. #6
    SLi Resident 4n70n1n0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Central MA, USA
    Posts
    808
    Points
    10,725
    Level
    68
    Points: 10,725, Level: 68
    Level completed: 69%, Points required for next Level: 125
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: DIY: Make fog lights stay on with high beam

    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?
    Ant My Subaru fleet:
    -98 2.5GT(BD6) - RIP
    -95 L(BK) - SOLD
    -99 OBS(GF) - Wife's Daily - no Member's Ride II thead yet either
    -98 BD6(Yes, another GT ) - no Member's Ride I thead yet either
    - Daily Driver

  7. #7
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Make fog lights stay on with high beam

    Quote Originally Posted by 4n70n1n0
    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.

  8. #8
    SLi nOOb
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    135
    Points
    5,371
    Level
    47
    Points: 5,371, Level: 47
    Level completed: 11%, Points required for next Level: 179
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: 100% Independant Fog Lights

    Why might this be illegal?

    Also, do they still automatically turn off with the car?
    99 legacy 2.5gt Wagon

  9. #9
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: 100% Independant Fog Lights

    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.

  10. #10
    Needs to update their Email!
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Davis, CA
    Posts
    176
    Points
    5,187
    Level
    46
    Points: 5,187, Level: 46
    Level completed: 19%, Points required for next Level: 163
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: 100% Independant Fog Lights

    Nice! I was thinking of doing this mod, thanks for the write-up and pics.
    99 30th anniversary BD legacy 2.5GT (current) used JDM ej25 replaced at 135,814 mi.
    00 Impreza 2.5rs (RIP) sold as-is...
    89 Bronco II (Still running "knock on wood" for Off road) for where even my subie can't go

  11. #11
    SLi Lurker )2edline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Boston, MA / Bridgeport. CT
    Posts
    419
    Points
    8,117
    Level
    60
    Points: 8,117, Level: 60
    Level completed: 84%, Points required for next Level: 33
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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

    2004 FXT - Tuned by Kinetic MW
    2002 Nissan Sentra SpecV Turbo
    1997 Legacy GT BD6 - RIP

    "It shows your devotion to one unique automobile and I'd bet money that your car has a personality that rivals most living...Your Legacy is an excellent showing of (I'm going to say it) what makes a Subaru a Subaru." -1996Battlewagon

  12. #12
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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.

  13. #13
    SLi Lurker )2edline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Boston, MA / Bridgeport. CT
    Posts
    419
    Points
    8,117
    Level
    60
    Points: 8,117, Level: 60
    Level completed: 84%, Points required for next Level: 33
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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?
    2004 FXT - Tuned by Kinetic MW
    2002 Nissan Sentra SpecV Turbo
    1997 Legacy GT BD6 - RIP

    "It shows your devotion to one unique automobile and I'd bet money that your car has a personality that rivals most living...Your Legacy is an excellent showing of (I'm going to say it) what makes a Subaru a Subaru." -1996Battlewagon

  14. #14
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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.

  15. #15
    "FNG" RedEvilWgn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Manchester, NH
    Posts
    97
    Points
    4,473
    Level
    42
    Points: 4,473, Level: 42
    Level completed: 62%, Points required for next Level: 77
    Achievements:
    1000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    Excellent write up! It was nice to take a break from doing normal dealer service work and do something fun for once!
    The Fleet:
    1991 240sx (ALIVE FINALLY!!!)
    1972 Baja Beetle (semi daily driver)
    1991 Corolla (when everything else is broken)
    1998 Legacy GT Wagon (she's alive!!, now to fix the electrical gremlins....)

    for the first time ever....all of my cars run....WTF?!

  16. #16
    Needs to update their Email!
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    5
    Points
    4,030
    Level
    40
    Points: 4,030, Level: 40
    Level completed: 40%, Points required for next Level: 120
    Achievements:
    1000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

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

  17. #17
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    Quote Originally Posted by Darkebane
    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.

  18. #18
    Needs to update their Email!
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    5
    Points
    4,030
    Level
    40
    Points: 4,030, Level: 40
    Level completed: 40%, Points required for next Level: 120
    Achievements:
    1000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

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

  19. #19
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    Quote Originally Posted by Darkebane
    Yeah theres 2x yellow/blue...i tried them both...
    Did you make sure that you were grounding the wire that comes from the plug?

  20. #20
    Needs to update their Email!
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    5
    Points
    4,030
    Level
    40
    Points: 4,030, Level: 40
    Level completed: 40%, Points required for next Level: 120
    Achievements:
    1000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

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

  21. #21
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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.

  22. #22
    Needs to update their Email!
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    5
    Points
    4,030
    Level
    40
    Points: 4,030, Level: 40
    Level completed: 40%, Points required for next Level: 120
    Achievements:
    1000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

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

  23. #23
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    Quote Originally Posted by Darkebane
    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.

  24. #24
    Needs to update their Email!
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    5
    Points
    4,030
    Level
    40
    Points: 4,030, Level: 40
    Level completed: 40%, Points required for next Level: 120
    Achievements:
    1000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

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

  25. #25
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

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

  26. #26
    SLi Resident Soul Shinobi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nashua, NH, USA
    Posts
    863
    Points
    10,380
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,380, Level: 67
    Level completed: 83%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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.
    -Nick
    1992 BC Legacy L Sedan AWD 5MT 272,000 - Wish you the best
    1998 BK Legacy L Wagon 5MT 234,000 miles - RIP (rebuilt heart with 42k lives on)
    2002 SF Forester S Wagon 5MT 215,000 miles - Current winter sleigh
    1986 FC Mazda RX-7 GXL Coupe 5MT 155,000 miles - Summer cruiser
    2006 EX-250-F Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Old bike, will sell next year
    2007 K7 Suzuki SV650S - New bike, will also see track days

  27. #27
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    Quote Originally Posted by 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.
    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.

  28. #28
    SLi Resident Soul Shinobi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nashua, NH, USA
    Posts
    863
    Points
    10,380
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,380, Level: 67
    Level completed: 83%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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.



    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.
    -Nick
    1992 BC Legacy L Sedan AWD 5MT 272,000 - Wish you the best
    1998 BK Legacy L Wagon 5MT 234,000 miles - RIP (rebuilt heart with 42k lives on)
    2002 SF Forester S Wagon 5MT 215,000 miles - Current winter sleigh
    1986 FC Mazda RX-7 GXL Coupe 5MT 155,000 miles - Summer cruiser
    2006 EX-250-F Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Old bike, will sell next year
    2007 K7 Suzuki SV650S - New bike, will also see track days

  29. #29
    SLi O.G. anothernord's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Posts
    2,020
    Points
    16,569
    Level
    82
    Points: 16,569, Level: 82
    Level completed: 44%, Points required for next Level: 281
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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!

  30. #30
    SLi Resident Soul Shinobi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nashua, NH, USA
    Posts
    863
    Points
    10,380
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,380, Level: 67
    Level completed: 83%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: DIY: Independant Fog Lights

    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.
    -Nick
    1992 BC Legacy L Sedan AWD 5MT 272,000 - Wish you the best
    1998 BK Legacy L Wagon 5MT 234,000 miles - RIP (rebuilt heart with 42k lives on)
    2002 SF Forester S Wagon 5MT 215,000 miles - Current winter sleigh
    1986 FC Mazda RX-7 GXL Coupe 5MT 155,000 miles - Summer cruiser
    2006 EX-250-F Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Old bike, will sell next year
    2007 K7 Suzuki SV650S - New bike, will also see track days

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •