Got a new rear fog lamp.....what do I do now...

metson · 06-01-2009, 09:27 AM

I was able to get a good deal on a fog lamp off of Ebay. I have been looking around to find out how to install it but I have found very little information. I would basically like it to come on when I put the car in reverse or either when my lights are on but I have read that it may be too bright for that. I need to find out how I can connect it to the car. Does anyone have any pictures of how to do it. I'm not a great hands on car guy so I need all the help I can get. I thought about going to the dealer but I really don't want to do that if I can help it. If anyone has any suggestions, it would be appreciated....

Robert_Nash · 06-01-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metson

I was able to get a good deal on a fog lamp off of Ebay. I have been looking around to find out how to install it but I have found very little information. I would basically like it to come on when I put the car in reverse or either when my lights are on but I have read that it may be too bright for that. I need to find out how I can connect it to the car. Does anyone have any pictures of how to do it. I'm not a great hands on car guy so I need all the help I can get. I thought about going to the dealer but I really don't want to do that if I can help it. If anyone has any suggestions, it would be appreciated....

I've had mine done :F1 Style Rear Blinker

You DO NOT want this light on all the time - it is a Fog Light after all. You can wire it to come on only when backing up and such but I would recommend that you at least maintain the ability to turn it on in foggy/low visibility conditions.

I had a local Nissan dealer do my actual install - popping out the dummy fog light assembly and putting in the real fog light isn't difficult but I wouldn't recommend you do your own wiring hook-up unless you are comfortable with doing that kind of work or you could wind up frying some expensive pieces.

nogoodname · 06-01-2009, 10:17 AM

it should be in the service manual somewhere....check it out

dad · 06-01-2009, 11:11 AM

What purpose would it serve for the fog light to come on in reverse?

CBRich · 06-01-2009, 11:57 AM

This thing is pretty hard to see out of while backing up so it would help alert other drivers that you are backing out. If you can't see them at least they can see you.

As far as the install I would use a Tap-In Squeeze Connector. Just tap into the reverse light and run the power lead to the rear fog light. Do the same for the negative lead and it will cut on with reverse. You just need to grab a multimeter and have a friend put the car in reverse to ensure you get the correct wire that activates the reverse light.

It would get a little more fancy if you also want to have a switch to activate the lights as just wiring up both together would cause the switch to also cut on the reverse lights. If you want both and don't already know how then let a pro do it.

metson · 06-01-2009, 01:03 PM

Thanks CBRich.... I thought it would help people see me when I back up. It did come with that type of connection on it. I guess I the best thing is to maybe check with the dealer to see how much they will charge and take it from there. I do not want to mess up anything... And thank you for all the advice everyone please continue...

Robert_Nash · 06-01-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

This thing is pretty hard to see out of while backing up so it would help alert other drivers that you are backing out.

Funny...I would have thought that the two bright, white, back-up lights coming on when you put the gear selector in "Reverse" ought to be enough to tell most people you are backing up...for those too dense to figure it out will a bright red light near the bottom of the rear bumper really clue them in any better?

SoCal 370Z · 06-01-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

Funny...I would have thought that the two bright, white, back-up lights coming on when you put the gear selector in "Reverse" ought to be enough to tell most people you are backing up...for those too dense to figure it out will a bright red light near the bottom of the rear bumper really clue them in any better?

Obviously, you have not driven in California for a while!

FricFrac · 06-01-2009, 04:13 PM

Taps are evil. They cut through the insulation and can break strands in the wire itself as well as allowing water to ingress down the wire and into the connector. If you need to tap into a wire strip the insulation back without nicking the wire and solder the conection where its not going to be flexed and water proof it.

My Fog Lamp switch is built into the column switch but it looks like there is a rocker switch position available on the transmission tunnel between the heated seat switches (on the Tourings at least - not sure about the Base).

theDreamer · 06-01-2009, 04:13 PM

I just wish they would have given us a non-blacked out, even if it was not wired it looks nicer than what we got. Though I am sure we would all be wondering why put in the proper one with it not being wired for use.

SoCal 370Z · 06-01-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

Taps are evil.

Robert_Nash · 06-01-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

I just wish they would have given us a non-blacked out, even if it was not wired it looks nicer than what we got. Though I am sure we would all be wondering why put in the proper one with it not being wired for use.

The reason the U.S. spec vehicles are non-functional is because a few states require a different height and/or to be left or right of the center line of the vehicle (meaning the current lamp location would be illegal if it is a working fog light) so rather then design a working fog light for various state rules or a completely new bumper cover mold for U.S. vehicles, the dummy unit is used.

If the U.S. ever requires rear fog lights on all vehicles then maybe we'll get some standard requirements.

theDreamer · 06-01-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

The reason the U.S. spec vehicles are non-functional is because a few states require a different height and/or to be left or right of the center line of the vehicle (meaning the current lamp location would be illegal if it is a working fog light) so rather then design a working fog light for various state rules or a completely new bumper cover mold for U.S. vehicles, the dummy unit is used.

If the U.S. ever requires rear fog lights on all vehicles then maybe we'll get some standard requirements.

I did not know that, I will have to look that up to make sure Texas is not like that or what are specific laws are for rear fog lights, thanks. +Rep

CBRich · 06-01-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

My Fog Lamp switch is built into the column switch but it looks like there is a rocker switch position available on the transmission tunnel between the heated seat switches (on the Tourings at least - not sure about the Base).

The base actually has all three of those switches there just ready for install.

FricFrac · 06-03-2009, 11:07 PM

Is the center one used for anything on any of the models?

06-01-2009, 09:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
metson Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newport News, VA. Posts: 15 Drives: Nissan 370Z-2009-Red Rep Power: 16	Got a new rear fog lamp.....what do I do now... I was able to get a good deal on a fog lamp off of Ebay. I have been looking around to find out how to install it but I have found very little information. I would basically like it to come on when I put the car in reverse or either when my lights are on but I have read that it may be too bright for that. I need to find out how I can connect it to the car. Does anyone have any pictures of how to do it. I'm not a great hands on car guy so I need all the help I can get. I thought about going to the dealer but I really don't want to do that if I can help it. If anyone has any suggestions, it would be appreciated....

06-01-2009, 11:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	What purpose would it serve for the fog light to come on in reverse? __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

06-01-2009, 04:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	I just wish they would have given us a non-blacked out, even if it was not wired it looks nicer than what we got. Though I am sure we would all be wondering why put in the proper one with it not being wired for use. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

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06-01-2009, 10:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	it should be in the service manual somewhere....check it out

06-01-2009, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	This thing is pretty hard to see out of while backing up so it would help alert other drivers that you are backing out. If you can't see them at least they can see you. As far as the install I would use a Tap-In Squeeze Connector. Just tap into the reverse light and run the power lead to the rear fog light. Do the same for the negative lead and it will cut on with reverse. You just need to grab a multimeter and have a friend put the car in reverse to ensure you get the correct wire that activates the reverse light. It would get a little more fancy if you also want to have a switch to activate the lights as just wiring up both together would cause the switch to also cut on the reverse lights. If you want both and don't already know how then let a pro do it.

06-01-2009, 01:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
metson Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newport News, VA. Posts: 15 Drives: Nissan 370Z-2009-Red Rep Power: 16	Thanks CBRich.... I thought it would help people see me when I back up. It did come with that type of connection on it. I guess I the best thing is to maybe check with the dealer to see how much they will charge and take it from there. I do not want to mess up anything... And thank you for all the advice everyone please continue...

06-01-2009, 04:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 228	Taps are evil. They cut through the insulation and can break strands in the wire itself as well as allowing water to ingress down the wire and into the connector. If you need to tap into a wire strip the insulation back without nicking the wire and solder the conection where its not going to be flexed and water proof it. My Fog Lamp switch is built into the column switch but it looks like there is a rocker switch position available on the transmission tunnel between the heated seat switches (on the Tourings at least - not sure about the Base).

06-03-2009, 11:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 228	Is the center one used for anything on any of the models?