Is it normal for the foglights to only turn on when the regular lights are on? As in when the low beams are off the fog lights do NOT turn on even when the switch is in the ON position (no dash indicator either). The foglight indicator and the lights themselves will work if the low beams are ON. Is this normal? Sorry I am a noob to this car/ these things...

 

i'm gonna be a wise ass and say: RTFM!


it's normal. clearly stated in the manual.

just kidding about the RTFM, but seriously, read the manual, then come to the board with anything you dont understand or want further explanation.

it's not that people don't want to answer questions that the manual answers, it's that you should read it because it will tell you almost everything about your car, then acurazine will add to that knowledge!

 

Thanks (I think)

 

OK well how do you get the fog lights on without the headlights on???

 

You don't.

 

1. why would you want to?

2. i believe i answered that above by saying it's normal to the following question: "Is it normal for the foglights to only turn on when the regular lights are on? "

 

3. There is no reason, other than fog or poor lighting to the side of normal headlight illumination, to use headlights. They ain't cool , they ain't there to light up just because you have them , and you would never need them on when the headlights are not on!

 

Because it just looks cool. And if I just want the foglights on lets say when its raining outside or its dusk just for other drivers to see you then I want to be able to do so you know.

And I know its normal but there has to be some way to do it right?

 

i think you meant to say what i corrected in bold

 

nope, because as stated above, there is no reason to use fog lights unless there is fog. they aren't really visable to other drivers since they are on the bottom. they are to illuminate the road and sides of the road. in most states, if it's raining you're required to have headlights on. and you should anyways because it's commom sense.

it doesn't look cool at all, since it's vaguely visable, and it's not normal, and there's no way to do it, without changing the wiring.

 

Are you serious I can see a car with just there foglights on from at least a 1/4 mile away hell for the matter I can see a vehicle with just there parking lights on from a 1/4 mile away at night. I think they are very visible. It kinda defeats the point of having fog lights if you can't have them on without the headlights because the last thing you want on during dense fog is your headlights its kinda scary when you see them reflecting back at you.

 

I live in an area where we might need foglights once per year--really there isn't any point. So it's kind of a redundant upgrade for me as they will just likely get damaged by flying pebbles etc. Additionally, it normally doesn't look good to mix different types of lights IMO. It's true that HID looks cool but mixing with regular highbeams or fogs messes up the coolness factor as the colour of the lights don't match. I used to do a little media work (filming/video editing) and the first thing they teach you about lighting is not to mix types of lights, specifically halogens (yellow/warm) with florescents (white/cold). And yes I realize that cars and videos are two different topics. On the other hand, they say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'... so if you like it go for it, and if you like just fogs, go for it... but you can't.

 

I disagree. Having only fogs on might confuse other drivers as to your distance (esp dangerous in single lane highways when people want to pass in your lane). For example you may know what I mean if you've ever seen a single light in the distance and assumed it was a far away car but then it passes you sooner than expected because it actually was a car with only one working headlight. To be fair I've never seen just fogs on so maybe i am talking out of my

 

you wouldn't be able to drive without your headlights on in the fog. you dont want you HI BEAMS on, but headlights, yes.

fog lights are pointed at the ground, it's pretty good if you see them from 1/4 mile away, but i don't believe it. also, i am pretty sure most cars the fog lights don't go on without the headlights.

 

exactly. i agree with your assessment. because the way they are pointed, and the location on most cars, it's not something that would really provide much more alert other than knowing there is a car in the other lane, somewhere. headlights are pointed properly for lighting the road, and thus, alerting other drivers where you are.

 

Look, all discussion of usefulness and coolness aside, I think what he's getting at is HOW TO RE-WIRE IT which is a legitimate question.

Its also one that hasn't been how-to'd here or fully answered to my knowledge so let him ask.

The half-ass answer is you'll need the Helms electrical manual to figure out where to tap the fog light on/off signal from the stalk, and disconnect it from the headlight wiring, and see if you can supply it with a nice 12v constant and let the stalk do the switching. I have no idea if its even possible, but someone with the electrical manual could tell you.

Personally, if you want to, why not.

 

This one has been discussed ad naseum. The wiring is arranged in such a way that this would be prohibitively difficult to do. You're welcome to try, but you'd pretty much be the first.

 

the OP's question was if it was normal that they don't come on if the headlights aren't on. the answer is, yes, it's normal.

is it possible to rewire, yes. is it worth the effort since it's difficult? that's for you to decide.

the second question should be addressed in a new thread, so he can get that feedback from people who know how to do it, but the feeling i've got from other threads that already discussed this is: don't bother.

 

I have been looking to do this as well. I have not had the time to get back to the project yet. This is what I have found out so far. There are 4 contacts points where the fog light relay is. AS soon as the car is started two of the contacts are 12v hot. This tells me the steering stalk provides ground to turn to turn the fogs on. So the two contacts that are not hot, go to the hot side of the fog light and the other is the ground from the stalk. I think all you have to do is ground one of the contacts( the one from the stalk) and the fogs should come on. Install a switch between this wire and you should be able to turn them on and off. In the off position you can use the light as normal with the headlights. I am going to try this when I get time.