Best way to hook up fog lights

[explorer1995]

My 95 explorer has a fog lights but they arnt hooked up the wires are cut. and there is no switch to turn them on. Whats the best place to splices the wires into or should i just hook them up seperatly to a switch?

 

[97XLExploder]

I just installed fog lights on my 97 by using factory fog lights, factory switch and bumper from an 00 explorer.

There weren't any wires in-behind the dash to just plug in a factory fog light switch so I ended up wiring them up with a relay but still operated by the factory fog light switch from the same 00 explorer i got the fog lights from in the wrecking yard. I changed the radio bezel from the '00 explorer with the fog light switch attached.

Very easy install, just a little time running wires from the fog lights to the relay and relay to the switch and tapping into the headlight switch so that the fog lights only turn-on when the parking lights or headlights are on.

Its definitely worth a look to take the bezel off around the radio and look in-behind to see if there is a electrical connector for the factory fog light switch hanging there (it would be coming out of the same wire loom as the rear window wiper switch and the rear window defrost switch)

Cheers

 

[ncranchero]

If you want the fogs to turn off when you hit the high beams use this.

If you want simpler wiring and fogs on at your command with a separate switch use this.

If you want your fogs to com on with your park or headlights, not having to wire in a separate switch, use this.

ALWAYS use a relay and an appropriate fuse!

 

[explorer1995]

Thank you very much for your inputs!!! and thank you for the diagrams, seems easy, just maybe alittle time consuming.

 

[ucluglee]

If you decide to wire them to come on with the parking lights, check the laws in your area before doing so. Here where I live it's illegal......not really enforced, but it is a law on the books and the way my luck runs I'm going to get that really pissed off cop.

 

[explorer1995]

I ll have to look into that just incase, i think it looks badass when they come on with the parking lights, I want to do that to my 89 mustang gt also! I usually always get pissed off cops, then again I can be a smart ass so that doesnt help me any hahaha

 

[Equnoxe]

ALWAYS use a relay and an appropriate fuse!

x2

and i would say its always better to install your own proper harness' instead of splicing. just not worth the risk

 

[ncranchero]

If you decide to wire them to come on with the parking lights, check the laws in your area before doing so. Here where I live it's illegal......not really enforced, but it is a law on the books and the way my luck runs I'm going to get that really pissed off cop.

That's why factory fogs have the drop-out relay for turning them off when using high beams. I've never heard of anyone being cited for fogs with highs though. Back in the '70's I had aircraft landing light behind my grille, had to be REAL careful to turn them off when traffic approached.

Pissed off cops usually have a reason they're pissed off.........
Getting stopped and being a smart-ass is like holding up a sign that says "Hey I'm an idiot" !

The first diagram is made to activate the fogs with your parking or head lights. Simply substitute a switch for the lo-beam-head/park to manually switch them on/off.

 

[explorer1995]

I dont like cops so i get my smart ass comments come naturally hahaha plus the fines down here are high for speeding and driving in the hov lane ( high occupancy vehicle) i call it the High output vehicle lane haha

 

[explorer1995]

I ll prob just install them to a seperate switch so I can turn them on when i want to and turn them off when i want.

 

[BurnTheLight88]

Yeah here in PA it's illegal to have them wired to another switch, they have to AUTOMATICALLY turn off when you turn the high beams on. You won't get many cops that actually know that because the vehicle code is way too many pages, but if you get a Trooper or a DOT specialist, they will check sometimes, especially if you're being an ass.

 

[ncranchero]

I dont like cops so i get my smart ass comments come naturally hahaha plus the fines down here are high for speeding and driving in the hov lane ( high occupancy vehicle) i call it the High output vehicle lane haha

Yeah cops are like that, stopping you for speeding, driving single in a HOV lane, reckless driving, theft, rape, murder, stupid cops. We should just pay them to eat doughnuts and not actually do their job.

I hope you live long enough to appreciate those that put their lives on the line ever day to protect even those that are too immature to appreciate them.:frustrate

You should in fact put your lights on a separate switch and give the cops a doughnut break ha ha ha.

BTW, be careful when speeding in Dekalb County, GA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2xnWYx8YK8&feature=player_embedded