Fog Light Replacement Wiring

1947 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by stangmata, Dec 8, 2010

C4

Discussion Starter · Dec 5, 2010

So of all the lights that I have owned over a little more than three decades nothing has remotely come close to PIAA's. Like many, I have one busted mount for my OEM foglights on my Heep and I can't see paying the ridiculous amount that Jeep wants for a replacement so I'm going to replace them with PIAA's 510 SMPs. The question I got is can I simply cut the OEM pigtail off and reconnect it to the replacements? They're both 55W but I get confused on the whole H3 55W=110 W. I'm no electrical expert. I get buy but I don't want to burn up my harness. Any experts out there on this subject matter?

PIAA 510 SMP's
Available In Xtreme White SMR Driving, and Xtreme White SMR Fog
Bulb Type 12V – H3 55 watt=110 watt XTRA Xtreme White
Features Black stamped steel housing, glass lens, and multi surface reflector. SAE compliant.
Kit Includes Two lamps, wiring harness, relay, switch, and two mesh style covers
Cover Options Available separately - White solid cover with black lettering (PN 45100)

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

spacemobile1

· #2 · Dec 5, 2010

You need to wire it with the relay that comes with the kit. The stock fogs run all the current through the actual switch on the stalk, and you don't want to do that with even slightly more powerful, higher draw, aftermarket lights. At least that's the way I understand it.
I'm sure someone will pipe in with a more specific answer.

1982cj7

· #3 · Dec 6, 2010

The fog lamps run through a relay in the pdc so you should be able to run the new lights on the original wiring.

stangmata

· #4 · Dec 6, 2010

There is a fog light relay under the hood. The stock wiring can handle aftermarket lights.

C4

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 6, 2010

Thanks folks, that's what I thought. Worst case scenario is I'll fry a bridge in a relay under the hood. Much appreciated

warsw

· #6 · Dec 6, 2010

C4 said:
Thanks folks, that's what I thought. Worst case scenario is I'll fry a bridge in a relay under the hood. Much appreciated

Not exactly true.
The relay under the hood is there only to turn the fogs off when you switch your headlights to high beam (some have by-passed this relay so there fogs will work with there high beams). All the power to the fogs goes through the switch on the column, which seems to be the weak link. You would be better off installing a relay that would actually supply the power to your new lights directly from the battery.

That being said, the factory fogs are 55w so if you are replacing them with lights that are 55w the factory switch should hold up just as well. Just remember that the factory switch is the weak link even with the factory fogs and is kind of a PITA to repair when it fails.

C4

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 6, 2010

That's pretty getto, wiring full power through your steering column. I had an interior fire over that many moons ago. I think I'll go with my own wiring and throw a selinoid in line to boot on top of the relay.

BLACK RUBI

· #8 · Dec 6, 2010

warsw said:
C4 said:

Thanks folks, that's what I thought. Worst case scenario is I'll fry a bridge in a relay under the hood. Much appreciated

Click to expand...

Not exactly true.
The relay under the hood is there only to turn the fogs off when you switch your headlights to high beam (some have by-passed this relay so there fogs will work with there high beams). All the power to the fogs goes through the switch on the column, which seems to be the weak link. You would be better off installing a relay that would actually supply the power to your new lights directly from the battery.

That being said, the factory fogs are 55w so if you are replacing them with lights that are 55w the factory switch should hold up just as well. Just remember that the factory switch is the weak link even with the factory fogs and is kind of a PITA to repair when it fails.

The stock fogs operate just as warsw states above. I would use a seperate relay and not take any chances with it. I have a pic that I'll have gregert12 post. Maybe it will help.

seapahn

· #9 · Dec 6, 2010

I haven't used my stock fog light switch in years but from what I remember, it only came on with the headlights on. Maybe I am wrong. I usually like to have a separate switch and circuit for each light.

The only exception is my backup lights (small fog lights) that come on both with the factory backup light wire and my own separate switch.

gregert12

· #10 · Dec 6, 2010

BLACK RUBI said:
warsw said:

C4 said:

Thanks folks, that's what I thought. Worst case scenario is I'll fry a bridge in a relay under the hood. Much appreciated

Click to expand...

Not exactly true.
The relay under the hood is there only to turn the fogs off when you switch your headlights to high beam (some have by-passed this relay so there fogs will work with there high beams). All the power to the fogs goes through the switch on the column, which seems to be the weak link. You would be better off installing a relay that would actually supply the power to your new lights directly from the battery.

That being said, the factory fogs are 55w so if you are replacing them with lights that are 55w the factory switch should hold up just as well. Just remember that the factory switch is the weak link even with the factory fogs and is kind of a PITA to repair when it fails.

Click to expand...

The stock fogs operate just as warsw states above. I would use a seperate relay and not take any chances with it. I have a pic that I'll have gregert12 post. Maybe it will help.

Ed,

As per your request.

[attachment=0:1xa2xy6f]1.jpg[/attachment:1xa2xy6f]

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heck

· #11 · Dec 7, 2010

What I did was swap around the wires to the existing relay in the fuse box to get power from a fuse I added to an empty socket (antilock brakes, I believe). Now the stalk switch switches the relay and full power comes from the added fuse. But the wiring to the fogs is still barely adequate and would benefit from an upgrade.

C4

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 7, 2010

Funny same website I've been using for nearly 10 years only I prefer using the higher wattage set up with a solenoid.

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seapahn

· #13 · Dec 8, 2010

Yyyikes ... you must have some serious lights that need a 50Amp breaker and a solenoid! Ho ho ho ho ho (Tim the Toolman voice).

C4

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 8, 2010

seapahn said:
Yyyikes ... you must have some serious lights that need a 50Amp breaker and a solenoid! Ho ho ho ho ho (Tim the Toolman voice).

O'yeah, PIAA Pro 80 racing series. Shines like a nuclear halocaust

stangmata

· #15 · Dec 8, 2010

Wow, I didn't realize it went completely through the switch on the stalk. That is incredibly dumb. In that case, just use the wire to the fog lights to fire the new relay. Easy.

This is from a different forum, but it is a writeup I did on light wiring

http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/sho ... hp?t=91301

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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