DIY:REAR Fog Light install with New harness for US spec 370Z + Radar hardwire w/pics

FairladyZ

Has anyone else ran into this issue using the yellow accessory wire?

Im about to install and rather not run into this problem and use the red if it will avoid head aches.

Titan1080

I ended up fixing it, took everything back out and reinstalled using solder instead of crimps. Must have had a bad connection somewhere when I first installed it, works just fine now with the yellow wire tapped, no problems.

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2009 370Z w/ Sport

spearfish25

Just put the light in and it's not bad at all. I got away with just pulling out the push-grommet that faces the ground. I left the black metal bracket in place rather than removing the other 3 grommets. As for the two nuts holding the light in place, they came out with a ratchet wrench alone...no sweat, tears, WD40, or torching. New light went in smoothly.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

spearfish25

Has anyone figured out how to make a custom switch that toggles the BCS directly? The car is already setup to power and control the lamp...there has to be a way to just wire a switch to the rear fog circuit of the BCS.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

msb3079

Sorry to sound like a jerk.. but what exactly is the point in this light? In most pictures, it doesn't seem to match the taillight colors, which is odd.

red6spd

Its a rear fog light. As simple as that. Makes your car easier to see in bad weather from behind.

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2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness.
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msb3079

98% of cars don't have rear fog lights. Usually taillights do that job. If conditions are THAT BAD that someone can't see the taillights... then I'd hope someone wouldn't be driving quick enough to hit you from behind (ha).

The whole thing just seems odd to me... and the fact that the overseas models have it but not the US. Is it even legal?

LunaZ

It's a Euro thing. My wife's Mercedes came with one. I tend to notice them on Mercedes, Audis, SAABs and Range Rovers. From what I have heard, they don't slow down for fog on the Autobahn.

From Wikipedia:

In Europe and other countries adhering to ECE Regulation 48, vehicles must be equipped with one or two bright red "rear fog lamps" (or "fog taillamps"), which serve as high-intensity rear position lamps to be energised by the driver in conditions of poor visibility to enhance vehicle conspicuity from the rear. The allowable range of intensity for a rear fog lamp is 150 to 300 candelas,[15] which is within the range of a U.S. stop lamp.[5] For this reason, some European vehicles imported to the United States have their rear fog lamps wired as stop lamps, since their European-specification stop lamps may not be sufficiently intense to comply with U.S. regulations, and in North America rear fog lamps are not required equipment. However, they are permitted, and are found almost exclusively on European-brand vehicles in North America — Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, MINI, Land Rover, Saab and Volvo provide functional rear fog lights on their North American models. The final generation Oldsmobile Aurora also had dual rear fog lights installed in the rear bumper as standard equipment.

I guess the mentality in the states towards driving in weather is like the difference between NASCAR and Formula 1.

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AK370Z

Have you ever driven in heavy fog? you live in NJ. You should see heavy fog every now and then. This fog light is BRIGHTER than the taillight (on purpose) to show the car behind you there is a car in front. I have driven in situation where I couldn't see anything in front of me. I can barely see the car in front. I'm not saying it will save you from "rear ending" incident if fog is heavy ( and the driver behind you is an idiot) BUT it will help a little. I usually use it during snowing (blizzard), heavy rain, fog/heavy fog etc.

As far as legality, I can't answer that question. But I'm pretty sure cops will APPRECIATE your effort on keeping the highways/road accident free by using your fog light.

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msb3079

Good explanation.. I appreciate it. (You too, LunaZ)

I guess I'd have to see one in person to fully appreciate it.

ProfessorDave

AK and those who have done this install: Any trick to fishing the wires from the trunk through the armrest?
Thanks!

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

CBRich

If you take out the carpet and foam and all right behind the cross bar you can shoot a hanger straight down the armrest.

ProfessorDave

Great, thanks!

Update: I figured I would remove the old dummy lens in anticipation of receiving the new one. Holy crap! You guys weren't kidding about those bolts! There was no removing them with a ratchet. I ended up using a combination to techniques I picked up on this (and the other) foglight install thread. I used a dremmel to get one nut off, and ended up melting the plastic on the other, pulling the bolt right through (I'm sure I can cover the hole with a large washer). All this took me over an hour. Ridiculous!

I have the factory harness/plug on my 2009. Not sure what to do with that...

Anyway, I put the old lens back in (put a long sheetroack screw in throught the bottom hole for the black metal backing plate) so it doesn't look stupid.

The tips on this thread have been very, very helpful!

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

PR370z

This dremel nightmare was EXACTLY the same thing that happened to me.

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MODS:293 Whp/ 246 Tq K&N drop ins, ERZ HFC, JIC-Magic Y Pipe, HPS post MAF tubes, Nismo shift knob, 30% tints, JDM rear fog light more to come!

PontualZ

I saw you posted a while back that you wired the fog light to the cigarette lighter and I'm thinking about taking the same route you took but I have a quick question on your set up. Does the fog light button light up when the headlights turn on or does it not light up at all since it's powered through the accessory wire? Thanks