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Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Hey guys,
I installed my fog lights yesterday into my 02' EX and got everything up and running in around 3.5 hours. The only thing I don't like about them is the fat eBay switch that doesn't fit near my cigarette lighter.

I want to buy a round rocker switch with the led dot to replace the eBay switch. My question is how would I wire the rocker switch if it has 3 poles on the back and my eBay switch has 4 wires?

(The wires on the eBay switch are 1 red to 12v under dash fuse box, 1 red to relay?, 1 black ground, and one yellow maybe?)

Anyways I appreciate any help!
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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

it would probably help if you posted a diagram of your current wiring configuration
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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Originally Posted by Jomodeere
.My question is how would I wire the rocker switch if it has 3 poles on the back and my eBay switch has 4 wires?

(The wires on the eBay switch are 1 red to 12v under dash fuse box, 1 red to relay?, 1 black ground, and one yellow maybe?)

Do the fog lights have two filaments in them? Maybe a 12v powers both and the yellow powers one? Kind of simulates a DRL or something.

The switch would probably be as follows here but you have to know what the current wires are responsible for to properly wire the switch. I'd recommend a switch without the LED. The last switch I had with a LED in it lit up the whole cabin at night. Super annoying!

http://www.learningaboutelectronics....tch-wiring.php
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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

This is how my lights are currently wired to the switch and the relay.
-Red from 12V source to power switch
-Blue inline fuse from 12V source to relay

-Red from switch to relay
-Yellow from switch to relay
-Black from switch to relay

-Red from relay to fog lights

I had to use MS paint for my diagram sorry if it isn't clear enough!

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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

I would think it should be wired this way. Usually the relay is grounded since it has power going through it. I'm not sure why there's a yellow wire there, all you really need is a power 12V+ to trigger/close the relay. Then when the 12V+ is absent the relay opens back up.

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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Okay I think I understand!

Let me make sure I've got this though.

-Red 12V to switch from source

-Ground

-Red and Yellow to relay

(Each - mark equals a pole on back of switch)
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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Originally Posted by Jomodeere
Okay I think I understand!

Let me make sure I've got this though.

-Red 12V to switch from source

-Ground

-Red and Yellow to relay

(Each - mark equals a pole on back of switch)

yeah you got it, you probably don't need the yellow hooked up at all, but not knowing if how the relay is wired it's hard to say. Most relays work as having a voltage you want to send when the relay closes, a voltage to send when the relay is open, and a trigger to activate the relay.

In your case you want to send the 12V from the battery to the lights.

The red wire from the switch should activate the relay and pass the 12v from the battery to the lights.

The yellow wire is what would be sent when the relay isn't triggered. So in your case when you turn off the switch, the yellow wire and red wire no longer have voltage. So the relay closes because the trigger doesn't have voltage, the yellow wire also doesn't have voltage so no voltage passes through to the lights.

That's pretty much the basics of a relay.

Originally Posted by Jomodeere
(Each - mark equals a pole on back of switch)
That is assuming the middle pole is the ground. Pretty sure they are all made that way. And if you have it hooked up backwards then the LED may not light up unless you have the switch in the on position. If that's the case then just switch wires at each end of the switch.

Last edited by drhawkinz; Dec 29, 2014 at 07:29 PM.
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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Makes perfect sense now!

I appreciate the help!
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Old Dec 29, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Sorry to bring this back up but I've got another question and didn't want to start a new thread!

I searched the internet over and couldn't find an OEM fog light switch to fit by my cigarette lighter. Do you guys think that a factory cruise control button would fit in that location?

If it does, could it be wired up to work as a fog switch?

Thanks again!
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Old Dec 30, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Originally Posted by Jomodeere
Sorry to bring this back up but I've got another question and didn't want to start a new thread!

I searched the internet over and couldn't find an OEM fog light switch to fit by my cigarette lighter. Do you guys think that a factory cruise control button would fit in that location?

If it does, could it be wired up to work as a fog switch?

Thanks again!

I'm pretty sure it will, at least that's my plan whenever I get around to getting some fog lights. Well I plan to wire the cruise so it's on all the time without the button and then reuse the button for the fog lights (if that's possible, haven't messed around with it that much). I'm not sure of the pin out on the cruise switch. But it should work since it's still just closing a contact.
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Old Dec 30, 2014
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Re: Quick question about wiring a rocker switch!

Awesome. I found one on eBay for just a few dollars so I figure I will try it out.

Maybe Ill just take a razor blade and try to scratch the word off of the button. Then it will look smooth and inconspicuous.
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