Fog light help

[howie944]

Car: 79 SC Coupe. Problem: No fog lights. Symptoms: Pull the switch and no illumination. Headlights are on low beam. Heater panel light (one light) will flicker as switch for fog light is pulled and then return to full brightness. Fuses have been checked and are all O.K. (including corrosion check). I have checked what is listed (in owner's manual) as the Fog Light relay (#2) from front of car by swapping with another realy, still no joy. Is there another location for the relay perhaps? I know sometimes the manuals get the fuse numbering incorrect. I'm hoping against hope it isn't a wiring issue at the switch cause I'd hate like heck to have to pull the radio and then basket to get to the switch. Thanks for the help folks.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by howie944

Thanks for the help folks.

not sure if my attitude will be of any help, but
I trashed the worthless stock fogs on my car + wiring. It never did me much good in the mountains or on big roads. So I bought a set of retna burner rally lights from Dan Stern Lighting. Not hooked up yet. My brother likes his fogs on la la land street so it's a judgement call on your options imo.. Outside of Sac is some nice driving, btdt.

[3.2 CAB]

Have you tried turning the knob instead of pulling? It should be a dual action switch, I think when it is pulled, it turns on the rear fog light, if you have one, and when turned, it turns on the front fog lights.

[steve911]

Originally posted by 3.2 CAB
Have you tried turning the knob instead of pulling? It should be a dual action switch, I think when it is pulled, it turns on the rear fog light, if you have one, and when turned, it turns on the front fog lights.

The 2 position switch is on ROW cars; US cars have a pull on switch only for the front fogs. Turning the ROW switch turns on the rear.

[creaturecat]

the headlight switch should only be pulled out half way for fogs to work

[steve911]

Originally posted by creaturecat
the headlight switch should only be pulled out half way for fogs to work

Nope - fogs will work with headlights on, but they will not work with the high beams engaged.

[david914]

Originally posted by creaturecat
the headlight switch should only be pulled out half way for fogs to work

Euro cars are wired this way. It's actually pretty simple to convert your USA car to Euro code by moving the relay trigger wire from the low beam fuse to the parking light fuse. I've done this to both of my 911's to gain some "front fill" lighting while the high beams are on. Of course, it's technically illegal in this configuration...

[William Miller]

Help me!
I asked a question about the rear fog on my 83 ROW.
It never worked. I rewired the bulb holder and don't know if something else is wrong. I haven't seen this in any wiring diagram.

My front's work (low beam only) The trigger wire goes to the relay. But I know nothing goes from the switch side of the relay to the back fog light.


Is there a seperate wire from the switch to the rear?
I guess this could be seperate from the front because you'd want the back on even if the highs are on.

My fog light switch both pulls and turns. So how is it supposed to work?
Is the rear a seperate circuit? does it have a fues somewhere?
I can probably fix it with a little info. I'm hoping the wire to the back is not fried somewhere in the bundle.
Thanks for any help!

[howie944]

Well so far I've learned a bunch about the different switches in the ROW VS US spec cars and the rotation to get the rear fog light on (mine doesn't have one and is US spec.) I know that the fogs only work in low beam mode. I guess I may not have stated my question correctly. My fogs don't work when I pull the switch. They used to but have stopped working. Is there possibly another factory location for the relay or is there only one relay for them located adjacent to the fuse panel in the trunk. As I stated earlier I have checked and cleaned all the fuses. Just want to make sure I can rule out the relay (if I have the correct one) and move on to the switch and wiring at that location. thanks again.

[dandrews64]

David, can you give more details on how to "moving the relay trigger wire from the low beam fuse to the parking light fuse".

Possibly a pic or two?

Also, what is the best type of replacement bulb, just noticed this AM that I have one out.

Thanks !
Doug

[steve911]

Originally posted by dandrews64
Also, what is the best type of replacement bulb, just noticed this AM that I have one out.

Doug--
guessing its pretty foggy up your way this AM. Fog lights use H3 bulbs - available at your favorite auto parts store

[William Miller]

Howie, my car has a cube shaped relay screwed onto the body just in front of the fues box and over the battery. My guess is that it was a dealer / not factory installed option. All the other parts seem to be what look like they are factory. This is a standard relay that you can find at any auto parts store for $5-10.
The wiring for them are usuallyprinted on the relay somewhere.
Bassically there is a hot wire,ground, trigger wire (hot comming from the switch) and the wire that goes to the hot. The trigger when switched on closes the contacts in the relay connecting the hot wire to the wire going to the lights.
Hope this answers your question!
Good luck!

[RoninLB]

fwiw.. there are some really nice fogs available with great optics..

[Steeve]

I have a related question: do the fogs only work with the headlights on? I tried turning them on with just my running lights on, and they didn't come on. I was wondering if that was by design, or a malfunction.

Thanks!

[howie944]

Bill Miller, Thank you. That is basically what I was looking for. Just wanted to find out if there was possibly another relay or location for one. I'll check to see if I have the relay you mention tomorrow. Steve, it is by design that the fogs only work with the headlights turned on and in low beam mode. Once again thanks to all.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by howie944
, it is by design that the fogs only work with the headlights turned on and in low beam mode.

it can be re-wired easily to come on any time you want afaik.