2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Factory Fog Light Problem....kinda long

[tntway]

last year the indicator on the dash for my fogs stayed lit when i turned the truck off. later when i went out, the fogs were on when i got to the truck. i posted about this in "911" and was told to pull the relay. when i went back out to do this, the fogs were off. i stopped using them for a couple of months. when i started using them again, they worked FINE untill they quit altogether. after some trouble shooting we decided that the switch was good as it was triggering the relay. i changed relays to no avail.

i was not getting power to the sockets.



i have since done the sport headlight conversion using REDNECKDR's instructions. last night the indicator started glowing with the fogs turned off. when i pulled the switch... . my high beams came on. now this is great in low beam mode cuz i won't have to buy a brite box, BUT i would really like this indicator to stop fooling with me and i would like my factory fogs back.



does this sound like a bad switch? relay? any ideas would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Tim



p. s. i really want the indicator to quit because i can always add aftermarket fogs anway...

 

[Thomas]

I have no idea what you have done as far as the sport conversion. My comments only apply to your original situation.



My understanding of the fog lamp relay is that it is used as a normally closed relay. When the multi-function switch is put in the high-beam position the trigger coil of the fog lamp relay is energized and the relay opens. This is what keeps the fog lamps from operating with high beams. Look at this modification (near bottom of page) shown on the Dave Fritz site. All the big yellow jumper is doing with this modification is mimicing a closed relay—it doesn't keep the fogs on with the in-cab switch in the off position. The fog lamp relay does not turn the fog lamps on and off! The relay only allows the fog lamps to light when the in-cab switch is in the "fog" position. The only use of the fog lamp relay is to provide a method of breaking the fog lamp circuit when high beams are selected. The jumper modification keeps the circuit intact, always.



Your original problem was with the in-cab switch—not the relay. Have you ever changed the switch?

 

[wtrenholm]

Here's a description of the circuit. The indicator and the fog lights have separate fuses, each circuit goes through the load (the ind light or the fog lights) and the two splice together after them, then on to the relay contacts, then to the fog light switch and on to ground.



So; being you've had issues with both the indicator and the fog lights staying on, my guess is an improper ground (and intermittent) in the circuit after the indicator light / fog lights but before the relay. The relay contacts should open the circuit and there should be no current flow, with the indicator and/or the fog lights on you must have a path to ground to make the these turn on. The indicator needs very little current flow to illuminate, the day your fog lights stayed on there must have been a rather good path to ground to let all that current to flow.



If you have a good understanding of basic DC electricity and some trouble shooting skills you should be able to figure it out. Also go get a manual so you are able to look at the wiring diagram and be able to find locations of components and splices.



I have no idea what the headlight conversion did to OEM wiring. My thoughts are dealing with your original complaint when the truck was unmodified.



HTH

Wayne