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Old 06-10-2007, 01:30 AM
peteyc20 peteyc20 is offline
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Default Re: New Member.. Fog Light question!

Do not try and run foglights without a relay.

Modern fog lights can pull a healthy 100+ watts each. On a 12VDC circuit this translates to 20 amps of current total.

Switches just aren't built to handle that much current for long and they WILL overheat and eventually burn up unless you only run your fog lights for short periods.

It doesn't really require a "OEM" relay or anything expensive. Fog light wiring kits at your local parts house would be just fine. Just be sure and use a relay. You'd really feel bad if your dash melted because you wanted to save a couple bucks.

Also you should check your wiring and find the actual circuit in the factory wiring harness that's already waiting for you rather than try and tap in to an existing wire. I'm sure there's a blue/white (whatever) wire running from the fuseblock that dead ends where the switch should be. That wire (whatever color) and circuit are a good heavy gauge wire capable of handling the load of fog lights. Adding those big fogs to a circuit that's already going to something else will just overload it and blow fuses. If you replace with a bigger fuse you'll likely cook the wires.

Don't let it scare you, it's really not that hard, just don't try and take too many shortcuts. Doing it right the first time takes a whole lot less time and money than having to go back and fix a sloppy job later.
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