97 XLT Foglights not working... checked fuses, what else?

[blue88mustang]

When I hit the foglight button, the little orange light does not come on. Trying the button in both positions with the headlights on, never ends up with the foglights being on.

There are the remnants of a trailer brake that was installed and the salesman tried telling me that they must have used the hookup for the foglights when installing the trailer brake.

I did look up under the dash and found some crimp splice connectors under the dash.

This is not a big deal, but I am a sports car kind of guy and I like to have my foglights

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[MattStarr]

Kinda of obvious, but did you check the bulbs?... Mine actually busted last night... the bulb was in tact and all, but it wouldnt work... I put a new 893 bulb in and worked fine... go figure... maybe try putting new bulbs in.. remember DONT TOUCH the glass on the bulb... the oil from your skin/hands will cause it to blow. Good luck man.

 

[blue88mustang]

They must be halogens then. I have a box of latex gloves that I use when working on the car or with chemicals.

So if either bulb (or both) are burned out, then the little orange light on the dash won't turn on when the button is in the "on" position?

I hate to just buy bulbs and not have them fix the problem. I realize it is only $5, but things like that add up over time. Ok, so I am just really tight, but $5 is still $5.

Is the salesman's explaination a possible one? Could the foglight wiring be cut to provide power for the trailer brake switch? Something tells me "No" but I thought I would ask.

 

[MattStarr]

hmm...I dont know why the lights are not coming on.... maybe someone else will chime in here and help..... Thats weird the button does light up b/c even if the lights were burned out, the light should still come, maybe a wire is loose somewhere... do you know when this happened... like just all of a sudden, or they would only work intermitengly(?)

 

[99SportX]

Well, before you try to replace the bulbs, first check if there is voltage going to the bulbs. Use a voltmeter (multimeter), and check the wires going into the bulb. If a previous owner cut or spliced some wires, you should try to find out which ones and put them back together.

 

[blue88mustang]

I am the 2nd owner and the previous owner was a lady and always had maintenance, upgrades (Tow package), etc done at the dealership.

The foglights didn't work when I was inspecting the vehicle at the dealership lot. That is where I checked the fuses and also checked up under the dash.

I guess I will start by removing the leftovers from the trailer brake setup. Maybe I will stumble accross something while I am removing the wiring for it.

 

[99SportX]

Sounds like a good idea. There is probably some wire that is hooked to the trailer harness, and If you start to remove all the stuff, I'm sure you will find the problem.

Good Luck