wiring fogs in with headlights

tidalbreak · 03-18-2010, 08:48 PM

I have a 2001 without factory fogs. I am going to add driving lights in stock location, but I would like to wire them into the headlight switch so they come on with the headlamps. Can I just tap into the low beam line with the driving lamps and just relay the rest as normal?

habbyguy · 03-18-2010, 08:52 PM

There are a couple problems with that approach.

First, your fog lights will be on all the time your headlights will be. Why would you want that?

Second, the XJ headlight wiring is marginal as-is... add the load of an extra set of lights on an already overloaded circuit, and you're going to have very dim headlights (and possibly burn up a switch and/or connector). To do it right, you'd need to install relays - or better yet, a new high-power headlight harness (they're normally used to hook up HID lights).

I'd recommend doing it right and hooking up the fogs separately - so you can use 'em when it's foggy (and have the option of turning off your regular headlights, if that makes the visibility better).

FairlanePhil · 03-18-2010, 09:02 PM

A lot of the old car guys replace the headlight circuit completely with a relay setup.

You could tie the fog's relay into the switch and the full power side off its own fused circuit

simple headlight relay wiring

tidalbreak · 03-19-2010, 01:04 PM

Thats what I intend to do, fuse the hot side so when I turn on lights the driving lights will come on. My 01 harness is giving me full juice, there is no need to upgrade even with my silverstars. The driving lights will be in the factory position so why not have them on with the headlamps all the time, it doesn't hurt.

habbyguy · 03-20-2010, 09:18 AM

Driving lights are for driving on the open road with no oncoming traffic. Because of their low mounting position they're pointing up rather than down, so they'll be in the eyes of oncoming traffic. Surely you've been annoyed at people driving around a well-lit city with their driving lights on, glaring in your eyes.

**Mickey_D** · 03-20-2010, 09:28 AM

Most states (and federal DOT standards) dictate that only two white and two amber lights shall be visible to approaching traffic. Granted, none of these laws are ever enforced (much like the catalytic converter laws), but that doesn't make it any more legal. As such, I would say that wiring ANY lights to be on full time would violate this site's rules about posting illegal activity.

But that's just me. I've driven for a living on the roads more years than I care to think about and many a time wish I had an optically aimed BB gun that would seek out fog and driving lights of oncoming cars and blow them out. I get REALLY tired of the idiots that leave their fogs and driving lights on all the time.

Trust me, I'm there with you on wanting to improve the light-on-the-road situation we have with our Jeeps. But I'm not willing to break the law to do it. I would ask that you don't either.

tidalbreak · 03-25-2010, 04:27 PM

I think you guys have missed the point, I want to add driving lights to the factory stock location and wire them into the headlight switch so they come on with the headlights. They will be down at the lower valance so they won't be any different than any other vehicle with factory driving lights. I don't know what you guys are thinking of but this is not illegal at all. If it was they would not allow the factory to add driving lights. I have never been annoyed with driving lights from on coming vehicles. I can understand lights on a brush gaurd or bumpers but not down low, and most driving lights don't point up they wash out at about ten feet in front of the vehicle on the ground.

**Apostle** · 03-25-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tidalbreak

I think you guys have missed the point, I want to add driving lights to the factory stock location and wire them into the headlight switch so they come on with the headlights. They will be down at the lower valance so they won't be any different than any other vehicle with factory driving lights. I don't know what you guys are thinking of but this is not illegal at all. If it was they would not allow the factory to add driving lights. I have never been annoyed with driving lights from on coming vehicles. I can understand lights on a brush gaurd or bumpers but not down low, and most driving lights don't point up they wash out at about ten feet in front of the vehicle on the ground.

either way, the factory harness isnt powerful enough. what you can do though, is run the factory low hot (tap into it) to a relay. use the relay to power a line from the battery (fuse this line after the relay)

Mighty Thor · 03-25-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey_D

Most states (and federal DOT standards) dictate that only two white and two amber lights shall be visible to approaching traffic. Granted, none of these laws are ever enforced (much like the catalytic converter laws), but that doesn't make it any more legal.

How do you explain all of the vehicles running around with 4 headlights in the front which comprises virtually all of the production from the US in the 80s. This is just not correct.

habbyguy · 03-25-2010, 08:43 PM

First off, it IS illegal to be driving with all four headlights lit up (aka "high beams on") with oncoming traffic, whether the factory installed the high beams or not.

Second, there's nothing illegal about some of the "trim lights" that some cars are equipped with - they are there entirely for aesthetics and don't glare into the eyes of oncoming drivers. They look like driving lights, but they don't actually help light up anything for driving.

So basically, if you don't mind driving around with the equivalent of your high beams on all the time, then go for it. And don't whine if you do get a ticket for doing it.

Mighty Thor · 03-25-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habbyguy

First off, it IS illegal to be driving with all four headlights lit up (aka "high beams on") with oncoming traffic, whether the factory installed the high beams or not.

Second, there's nothing illegal about some of the "trim lights" that some cars are equipped with - they are there entirely for aesthetics and don't glare into the eyes of oncoming drivers. They look like driving lights, but they don't actually help light up anything for driving.

So basically, if you don't mind driving around with the equivalent of your high beams on all the time, then go for it. And don't whine if you do get a ticket for doing it.

Well, since we are quibbling, (we are aren't we?) it is not illegal to have all four head lights on with traffic approaching. It may be illegal not to dim the high beams under certain sets of circumstances such as on a two lane road when on coming traffic is within a certain distance away. This does not mean that you can not leave auxilary lights illuminated and that depends on the beam, the intensity, location of the lights and the individual state rules as to color of the lens or bulb.

The OP just wants to know how to hook the things up, not a lesson from a judge and who ever else thinks they know the laws.

**Carves** · 03-25-2010, 09:55 PM

This is a fun thread .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by tidalbreak

I have a 2001 without factory fogs. I am going to add driving lights in stock location, but I would like to wire them into the headlight switch so they come on with the headlamps. Can I just tap into the low beam line with the driving lamps and just relay the rest as normal?

Just reading this it does seem you want to do something annoying to other drivers .....

I think what you actually want/mean to do is ....

Utilise the fog light position space for driving lights ???? ... Good move/use of space but they are better if mounted as high as the headlights.

Tap into the low beam ???? ... Dont you want the driving lights on when you are on high beam ?? ... If so ... use a relay and tap into the high beam wire so that the headlights activate the relay ... and the relay activates the driving lights. This can be done in the engine bay without messing about with the dash wiring. (unless you want a dash switch over-ride for the driving lights)

XJ wiring is not capable over the longterm, or for continous periods ... of running anything extra off the factory wiring, without something melting or burning ... other than a trigger to a relay.

Doing the upgrade for your headlight wiring is also one of the best improvements you can do to an XJ.

habbyguy · 03-26-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty Thor

Well, since we are quibbling, (we are aren't we?) it is not illegal to have all four head lights on with traffic approaching. It may be illegal not to dim the high beams under certain sets of circumstances such as on a two lane road when on coming traffic is within a certain distance away. This does not mean that you can not leave auxilary lights illuminated and that depends on the beam, the intensity, location of the lights and the individual state rules as to color of the lens or bulb.

The OP just wants to know how to hook the things up, not a lesson from a judge and who ever else thinks they know the laws.

You pretty much agree with what I said, actually - including the difference in driving lights and "decorative lights". And yeah, I was a bit judgmental, but only because I've been annoyed for a few decades by people who insist on driving around town with their driving lights on. It's unnecessary and could even be dangerous (if the glare causes someone to lose sight of the edge of the road, for example). Worse are those who stuff a pair of HID bulbs into a set of headlights that are designed for halogens, which just sprays light around in all directions blinding everyone coming the other direction.

The last suggestion (hooking them up - preferably via a relay - on the high beam circuit) is a good one. That way the driving lights will actually do what they're designed to do - increase the driver's ability to see further down the road. Hooking them up to the low beam, his driving lights go OUT when he goes to the high beam. Maybe someone could explain how that's a good idea...

tidalbreak · 03-26-2010, 05:05 PM

Ok, I understand everybody and just wanted to confirm tapping into the low beam and using a relay, thats all. I still am wondering why some of you are having the problem visualizing the set up, look at any new vehicle that has driving lights in the lower part of the fascia ( just about all) this is all I'm doing with a 55watt set of driving lights. It will be no different if it came with factory fog/driving lights. These lights are not daylighters or cornea burners just a little extra. I live in the country and it is dark and alot of wildlife.

**Mickey_D** · 03-26-2010, 05:27 PM

Ever vehicle that comes with auxiliary lights from the factory WILL have a switch to turn them off. This is a given. Because it's federal law. Fog lights MUST ONLY come on with the low beam headlights and driving lights MUST ONLY come on with the high beams.

If you wire fog lights direct (through a relay) into the low beam circuit without a switch to turn them off when someone approaches from the other direction, it is illegal. If you wire driving lights into the low beam circuit at all, it is illegal. In all 50 states.

Just because you see a bunch of idiotic morons driving around with these auxiliary lights on all the time doesn't mean it isn't illegal. It's in the damned CFR's.