Suzuki Forums banner

Independent Fog Light?

6K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  LMP 
#1 ·
Some cars allow independent fog light and Low/High beam operation (often through attachment of a jumper wire). Can this be done for the SX4?

(Sometimes it's useful to have just fog lights on — such as pulling into trailer parks late at night).
 
#2 · (Edited)
Anyone, with the right technical knowledge, can wire up anything.

For FOG lights to do their thing, they first must be Amber (yellow) and not white, blue, or any other exotic colors. Secondly, the headlights should be completely OFF, to reduce glare (the very reason we would use FOG lights in the first place).

Being an electronics tech, of 40+ years, I'd install a DPDT relay which would allow the headlights to function normally when in the normally closed (deactivated) position.
Then when activated by a Fog Light switch, it would turn on the Fog Lights and shut off the headlights at the same time.

The whole setup requires only one small 12vdc, DPDT (double pole, double throw) realay, one On-Off switch and some wire. No big deal.

Most of those parts can be had at any electronics store like Radio Shack.
Or, ordered on-line.

I hope I've answered your question.

Shadow :cool:
 
#4 ·
Anyone, with the right technical knowledge, can wire up anything.

For FOG lights to do their thing, they first must be Amber (yellow) and not white, blue, or any other exotic colors. Secondly, the headlights should be completely OFF, to reduce glare (the very reason we would use FOG lights in the first place).
Wrong on two counts.

It's a myth that yellow/amber wavelengths have any practical advantage.

There are several situations where it is advantageous to use fogs with or without high/low beams, with or without fog.

Being an electronics tech, of 40+ years
That's nice. I'm an Electronics Engineer of 30+ years.

I'd install a DPDT relay which would allow the headlights to function normally when in the normally closed (deactivated) position.
Then when activated by a Fog Light switch, it would turn on the Fog Lights and shut off the headlights at the same time. The whole setup requires only one small 12vdc, DPDT (double pole, double throw) realay, one On-Off switch and some wire. No big deal.
On my Ford Focus, total independence of Fogs and Main Beams is achieved by a 4" length of wire shunt. On a previous VW Golf, the same effect was achieved with a small brass clip shunt.
 
#10 ·
Bump.

Does anyone have any info on an override of stock fog light restrictions? Without running a new circuit.

In my searches, and as implied in the below quote, I have seen two references to a "fix" at this url, which has since ceased to exist: http://www.sx4club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8797

Can't find a cached version of it either.

If you are installing aftermarket fogs, they usually come with their own relay and switch so these could run anytime. If you have the the OE fogs, I believe there was a "fix" in the archives at Club SX4 I will have to check= do our OE fogs work with just the parking lights on ???
 
#5 ·
Oh, I just love all this "one-upsmanship".

We're talking about an SX4, not a Ford or other brand. OK?
I used to teach Electronics engineers how to get their heads out of their arses, put away their slide rules and make things work in the real world.

But go ahead, and tell us all about a shunt and how it solves the OP's question.

We're all ears! :lol::lol::lol:
 
#6 ·
Please bear in mind - it's not so much as some cars allow it as some laws allow it - your car will be wired to comply with local laws, which in your case, I believe forbid the use of fog lights alone and in the absence of inclement weather.

Also - for uses such as pulling into a trailer park - I don't see fog lights as being any less intrusive than low beam headlights.
 
#7 ·
My wifes Durango can have the parking lights and fog/driving lights on without the headlights on. Kinda cool, mostly for the younger guys. I remember people fixing it to do that on the Suzuki Swifts and nissans. I've read about it in the past years but have never done it.
Kalos you cant fool us. You dont want the father to know that your bringing her daughter back after curfew.;):lol: Been there. Just roll in stealth.
 
#8 ·
To still be safe and legal at the same time, the running lights and tail lights would have to still be on when you're using the fog lights, instead of the headlights. If properly installed, fog lights will be aimed down at the road directly in front of the car and indeed would be great for sneaking into a camp ground, without flashing all the other campers.

I've either ridden in or driven many cars that had the REAL Fog Lights over the past 68 years. In heavy fog, rain or snow, they can make all the difference in the world, whether you see where you're going or not.

The lower grill on the SX4 which is wide open, is a great place for a set of Fog Lights. I can get a set of rectangular, amber, fog lights at Harbor Freight for less than $20. That's probably going to be my next project, along with the air horns. ;)
 
#9 ·
I used to have some air horns on my old car but they dont like cold weather. At least the cheap ones I had.
My brother has Hella horns. Loud ass bleep. You can hook them up to the stock wires.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Here is the stock fog circuit..from the 2007-2009 shop manual.
www.avigex.ca/sx4/fog.JPG

With an extra switch (2 position plus center off) as in the diagram belox, if allow tokeep the original function (top position), OFF (cente) or ON as you wish (bottom positon).
www.avigex.ca/sx4/fogmod.JPG
IN fact you do not really need the center off position since you have the OFF already with the original fog switch..

NOw...one has to locate the wire that was cut to install this mod....obviously, it runs from the switch to the relay....
also add a 12V feed to the switch
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top