Fog Lights vs Driving Lights

[MCLEODRE]

I think that I read somewhere on this BBS that fog lights should work only with the head lights on low beam. Is this correct? What about driving lights? Should they work only with the head lights on high beam or both high and low beam?
The reason I ask is that the factory stock fog lights on my '73 914 only work with my head lights on high beam. I checked the wiring diagram for a '73 914 on this site and it appears that the way that my car's fog lights work is correct.

[mejulihn]

Check the several discussions on this topic posted here the last two weeks. At the factory (and most modern installations) your fog lights would be wired to operate with the low beam circuit. My guess is that a PO reversed the hookup. One of the recent posts will tell you how to correct this at the fuse panel if you wish.

[This message has been edited by mejulihn (edited 02-07-2001).]

[HMeeder]

The fog vs. driving light has been discussed in so many threads in the last 2 weeks that I believe I am confusing myself!

The original fogs are supposed to be wired on low beam alone. Yours may have been rewired by a PO. IMHO the fogs really don't do diddly unless you are actually in fog. On high beam you may be moving too quickly for the fogs to light up enough of the road to do any good.

I believe in Farleyd's fog light thread from last week someone had described how to get the lights to do what yours do (light on high beam.)

Every combination is possible (lights only when on low beam; lights only on high beam; lights on low beam and when headlights are off; lights on high beam and when headlights are off; lights all the time with ignition on; lights all the time regardless of ignition switch position. That last one is a sure recipe for a dead battery.)

Now, you have to ask yourself "what do I want the lights to do?"

If you look over all the threads, one of them will describe a process to get them to do just what you want. As both Brad and Dave have pointed out, some wiring was changed from year to year which makes going strictly on wire color less that totally reliable. By looking carefully at the wiring diagram for your year 914 and paying close attention to the terminal numbers (for instance, while a particular headlight switch may have a different color wire going to terminal #56, they will all have a terminal #56. A strong flashlight at the correct angle will show the terminal number embossed on the plastic on the back of the switch.)

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask before cutting or soldering. Better safe than very sorry, eh?

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Herb
'72 1.7 Tangerine 'Teen
'74 2.0 Red Rustmobile

[This message has been edited by HMeeder (edited 02-08-2001).]