(Not another) Wiring Hella to XJ stock fog light switch help

thakoolaidkid · 11-26-2010, 04:51 PM

I know most people will say "Search!" Well I searched and read through tons of threads and I'm confused as hell by the conflicting information.

So I bought a Hella 700FF kit. I have a stock fog light switch. I want to get the lights wired up to the switch, but I want to be able to run the Hellas with my headlights on bright if need be. As most of you know the fog light switch is set to cut off when you hit your brights.

So how can I make this switch separate from the brights? And how can I wire these lights to the switch easily?

Here is the Hella 700FF wiring diagram from Hella: http://www.incony.de/hella-nafta/upl...ions_email.pdf

And here is the image I keep finding on JF threads on wiring (is it safe to ground back to the battery as shown?):

Holder350 · 11-26-2010, 05:14 PM

A ground is a ground, no matter where you connect it, it all goes to the same place. So hook it to the battery (would not be my choice) or to a local metal surface.

As for wiring them with the high beams, it can be done...but its not worth the trouble.

Best to remove the wiring from the stock switch and run new wiring (with a relay) utilizing the stock switch

EDIT: By the way, dont take that diagram you have there to heart, most relays have an 87a terminal in the center that is normally closed.

**Carves** · 11-26-2010, 06:00 PM

Only thing I might do different is just connect the relay pin 86 to a ground screw or the relay mounting bolt.

X 2 on checking the pin numbers when you get a relay .... double, pin 87 connections seem to be a bit of an oddity to you fellas .... but are common use items down here.

When do you want the lights on ???

As per the diagram ... They will only come on when you operate the switch.

A simple connection from the highbeam wire, to connection 3 on the foglamp switch in your diagram ... will provide a different "12v run source" .... and the hellas will only come on when the headlights are on hibeam AND when the switch is operated.

The "12v run source" as per your diagram ... IS NOT the power for the lights ... just the power to operate the switch & relay.

The voltage for the hellas - is provided by the battery connection to relay pin 30 - being allowed to flow to pins 87 ...... after an activation power/12v run source, is applied to relay pin 85.

FogLamp connection 3 in the diagram IS the power for the lights - when the factory wiring is in place .... hence the burnt out switches, wiring & dim lights etc.

Some relay info in case its useful ....

Relay_Info
Relay_Operation

Holder350 · 11-26-2010, 06:17 PM

Heres how my off road lights are wired.

In the DOWN position on the switch, I have the lights on with the parking lights (so I dont run the batt down by leaving them on)

MIDDLE position is OFF

UP position activates them only when the high beams are on, that way they will turn off and on with the dimmer switch (awesome for back roads)

**Kevin108** · 12-13-2010, 05:36 PM

I'm going to throw this in here in case somebody else bothers to search and finds this thread. This info is for 97+ rigs.

The first step is to modify your relay so that the fogs aren't disabled with the high beams. The info I'm quoting here is from http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/d...eature-893240/ I've also included some pics and info from my own build thread.

Quote:

Mod Performed on 2000 Jeep Cherokee with Factory fog lights.
(I believe this mod will work on all 1997 to 2001 Jeep Cherokees in the same manner.)

1. Locate fuse and relay box on passenger side of engine compartment.
2. Remove cover locate and pull out Fog Light Relay 1.
3. Bend tab #2 back as shown in picture below.
4. Reinsert relay, and enjoy the ability to run your fogs with your high beams.

Note: If you bend tab #2 on Fog Light Relay 2 you will lose your fogs altogether.

The next step has a lot of variables depending on how many lights you use and where you mount them but it can be simple as well.

I used two lights and mounted them to my front bumper. I had factory fog lights, so I cut off the plug to wire into my new driving lights.

I was able to reuse the factory wiring completely. All I had to do was flop it over inside of the "frame rails" and down behind the grille. This shows the current and original locations of the plug.

Holder350 · 12-13-2010, 05:45 PM

This....is so full of win...

Bookmarked for the future.

Now just need to figure this out for the 96- boys

thakoolaidkid · 12-13-2010, 06:32 PM

Kevin108 - as far as you know this won't work on pre-97 XJs?

Holder350 · 12-13-2010, 06:41 PM

You might try deleting the 87a pin (center pin) on the pre 97 foglight relay and see if that works....basically the same thing.

thakoolaidkid · 12-13-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holder350

You might try deleting the 87a pin (center pin) on the pre 97 foglight relay and see if that works....basically the same thing.

I'll look into that, thanks! Gonna be wiring them up this weekend, hopefully I can wire them to the stock switch.

**Kevin108** · 12-13-2010, 08:33 PM

I have no experience at all with the older models. Sorry.

I'm okay with Google, however. Have you seen any of these?
Keeping stock fog lights on with highbeams - NAXJA Forums -::- North American XJ Association
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/f...-beams-663112/
Fog Light Mod - Jeep Cherokee Forum

I chuckled at the bottom link. My images from our threads here have made it over to Cherokeeforum. Maybe I should have watermarked them.

lyon · 12-13-2010, 08:43 PM

You sir are an absolute genious.

**Kevin108** · 12-13-2010, 09:28 PM

I just took better pictures than what I was able to find at the time. The info was from somebody else...who got it from somebody else. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/d...eature-893240/

240kat · 12-26-2010, 09:30 PM

Santa brought me some KC foglights that I attempted to install today. I was hoping to just connect them to the factory pig tails and all be well. That didn't happen.

Looking over this thread, I see that the fuse/relay box has two relays for the fog lights (aptly named FOG 1 and FOG 2). My relay box only has FOG 1; not even a set of contacts exists in the FOG 2 spot. Because of this, can I not splice in my KCs to the factory pigtails? They're only 55w lamps, so the oem wiring should be up to the task.

If I can't do this and thus have to run all new wiring, where's the easiest spot to gain entrance into the cabin?

RMC_xj · 12-26-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240kat

If I can't do this and thus have to run all new wiring, where's the easiest spot to gain entrance into the cabin?

I have my CB power and PA cord running through a slit I cut in the boot around the steering column. It's been like that for almost a year, and I've had no problems. Is it completely waterproof? Hell no, but nothing really is in an XJ.

Is it safe? I think so. (And I sure as hell hope so lol)

For my amp's power cable, I drilled, grommet'd and silicone'd a hole that's in the same area, just higher up and offset towards the outside of the vehicle. I would take pictures if I could, but I'm 2700 clicks away from my jeep right now.