Wiring fog lights to parking lights positive wire..

syndrome · 10-05-2003

I just screwed in some new foggies and want to connect them to my parking lights so they turn on together but have a few questions before I do:
1. what color wire do I splice into and can I connect both fog positives together and just hook into one parking light positive?
2. is it *safe* to do this? I mean it wont short-out the harness at all would it?
3. how do you reccomend I splice into this wire?
thanks guys.

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MatrixShark · 10-05-2003

I did exactly what you are proposing. I did this for a few reasons. The biggest reason being simplicity. So YES it is possible.

Watch out for the wattage of your bulbs! Mine are 55watts each and I have had no problems. Anything higher and you could draw too much current. I have been using this setup for over four months.

I wired each into its own side. I used snap in wire tap connectors, some people call them "scotch locks". I'm sorry I don't remember the colors of the wires. Use a test light or multi-meter.

vietfob714 · 10-05-2003

I know for sure the red and the green wires are power... and the 3rd wire is ground.... so its one of those two...hope that helps... yeah use T taps and male connectors... works great!

MatrixShark · 10-05-2003

I was bored. Here is a VERY simple wire diagram.

MatrixShark · 10-05-2003

Here's a tip: Use bullet connectors about two inches away from your fogs. This way when you want to pull your front bumper off you can quickly disconnect and then reattach the wires. You don't pull the bumper cover off very often but when you do this saves ALOT of time.

syndrome · 10-05-2003

Thanks guys, I just went out and bought these 3M Quick Connector plastic thingys that got 2 holes for 2 wires and just snaps down, its all that Pep Boys had but I think its what you're talking about right? but what gauge are the wires down there, I got connectors for 22-16 awg.

MatrixShark · 10-05-2003

p.s. Radio Shack sells the scotch locks. part number 64-3052 $1.99

MatrixShark · 10-05-2003

Hey mods... Sticky this DIY.

EDIT- Thanks

syndrome · 10-05-2003

the blue one is exactly what I got =) thanks shark.

MatrixShark · 10-05-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by syndrome
...but what gauge are the wires down there, I got connectors for 22-16 awg.

I'm not sure of the wires exact gauge. You say you bought the blue connectors. Typically the red is for the thinnest gauge, then blue, and finally yelow is for the thickest wires. I used blue and that is what you want for this application.

blckpwdr · 10-16-2003

you really should use relays to isolate the wires. the way you are describing is going to cause more current to go to both lights and they usually end up melting.

MatrixShark · 10-16-2003

^^This is a possibility. I highly reccommend using fairly low wattage fog lights. As I stated above I am using 50 watt ea. bulbs. They are working great and have run flawlessly for months. The parking lights obviously draw a certain amount of current. By "piggy-backing" the fogs on the same wiring you are pulling that much more current through the same circuit. This could quickly become too much. Once that happens a fuse should blow. If not then the wires or switch could possibly burn out. If you are using larger type fogs then do as blckpwdr suggests and use relays.

A proper (relay) setup could use the parking lights as the trigger for the relay. Then with (fuse protected) direct battery power, you would have no problems and could run whatever size fogs you want.

The bottom line is: This "piggy-back" method works but "try it at your own risk".

ricehead · 10-19-2003

does the 04 LX have the wires for the fog lights behind the front bumper? or do you have to do the wiring yourself if you get the factory fog kit?

MatrixShark · 10-19-2003

If you get the factory fog light kit, you should be able to plug into the harness that is already there.

ferio · 10-21-2003

are you saying that i can do this with my oem fogs? if i do this diy can i pm you for further questions matrix?