Fog lights on with high beams

[Bunn]

I'm sure this has been discussed allready but I couldn't find anything in the archives... . Is there anyway to get the fog lights to stay on when you put the high beams on? I spent some time in the distribution box with a test light and a jumper wire but couldn't come up with anything.

 

[JWChessell]

If the low beams are on, the fog lts will stay on. You can test this by pulling the turn indicater/high beam switch towards you until the high beams are on and the low beams are STILL on -- the fog lights will be on also.



So, if you install a "brite box" to use high beams and low beams at the same time, you'll be able to turn your fog lts on also. But, you have to accept the downside of greater wear and earlier failure of your electronic components -- wiring, fuses, bulbs, switches, etc.

 

[JRG]

I heard that some guys have had problems with their warning lights after a brightbox install. Can anyone confirm/deny this?



JRG

 

[CraigJones]

Brite Box

I had it for about 2 months . But last week I washed my truck and had a couple of things happening. First the lamp out warning light comes on every time when you start your your engine but goes off after you turn your lights on then off. Second now sometimes when you shut off your truck one headlight will stay on,this has happened twice so far. Third last light every time I go from high beam to low beam I get a ping and a lamp out warning. I was real happy being able to see but it looks like I have to return it.

 

[bighammer]

I think a guy could take a look inside the switch or wiring to make the high beam position become like the "flash to pass" high beam. Try holding back gently on the TS stalk while you drive a dark country lane... I think it's a matter of altering resistance in the switch to fake out the computer. (or messing with the mechanical stuff in the switch)

 

[DPelletier]

I don't want both filiments on at the same time. I just want to be able to use the fogs with high beam. Any ideas?

Dave

 

[Jerry R]

What if you just put the fogs on a toggle by themselves? Then you could use them alone, or with either highs or lows?

 

[bighammer]

You might be able to bypass the computer and use the existing switch to control a relay to put them on independent of what the headlights are doing. (I think it is illegal though--Not sure why, but there are enough kits that would have them on all the time it would be a tough one to enforce)



I put on an aftermarket bumper and got rid of my factory fogs. I miss having a set of lights that are mounted lower so I don't blind the driver in front of me at a stoplight. I go to parking lights at a stoplight now.

 

[JMarhofke]

Not sure about the 3rd gen trucks, but on the 2nd gen, this is fairly easy to accomplish. Remove the fog lamp relay, located in the power distribution box under the hood. Make a short jumper wire with a "male" spade on each end. Insert the jumper into the

two "widest" female slots. You should be good to go. This will

allow the fog lights to reamin "on" when your high beams are activated. No problems with over 5 years of use this way. Also did this to my Jeep Cherokee.



Jim

 

[curatchko]

How do you plug the relay back in when the jumper is there? Or do we leave the relay out now?



Chris

 

[Fireman]

Dave,

About a month ago someone did a post about lighting and linked a site that had alot of good info on lighting.

The guy on the site said that use of fog lights under clear conditions was counterproductive and that you would not be able to see as well with them on. It had something to do with creating an apparent dark area between the fogs and the headlights. If you go back and find this it would be well worth reading.

Personelly I can see no advantage to have the fogs on with the brights, but what do I know.

Fireman

 

[curatchko]

The advantage is obvious. Hold the handle back and the fog lights will stay on while the high beams are on..... and you can actually see for once.

 

[bighammer]

Originally posted by curatchko

The advantage is obvious. Hold the handle back and the fog lights will stay on while the high beams are on..... and you can actually see for once.

You do see better on your own, but because of the extra light, when a car comes the other direction, and you have to kill them, your pupils are smaller from all the extra light and it's harder to see. Had the same prob with the aircraft landing lights. Great light when on, but sort of blind without. Probably why they're not allowed.

 

[DPelletier]

Fireman,

Thanks, I'll do a search.

As far as having the fogs and high beams on at the same time, my thought is that when I switch to high beams and my fogs go out, I can see way less detail on the side of the road and closer to the truck. Yesterday on a 13hr drive through snow covered passes, in the dark, waiting for deer to commit suicide, I realized that the stock lighting needs help!!

Bighammer raises a very good point. You can have all the light in the world, but if you have to shut it off in the face of oncoming traffic, it doesn't do alot of good on a busy highway. This is why my last truck got Sylvania Silverstars to replace the factory bulbs. Not for brighter high-beams (I had PIAA driving lights), but for brighter LOW beams.

Before anyone rips off my head for being inconsiderate to other drivers, let me clarify that I don't intend on installing low beam lights that will blind other drivers, but I do want low beams that are as good as what everyone else is driving!! My '96 F-250 had much better (brighter) factory low beams, and I want mine to be as bright as the other automotive offerings.



Dave

 

[JMarhofke]

If you use the "jumper wire", you leave the relay out. I myself like the fact the fog lights are on with the high beams. It just gives you a "little" more light up close.



Jim

 

[CIverson]

I did a little probing on my 03 the other day, and when you take out the fog lamp relay jump the two back terminals (closest to the cab on the far ends, and the fog's come on w/ the lows and highs. I then checked it w/ the switch off and got a small spark so I left it at that. I don't feel like playing around w/ the electrical anymore

 

[DPelletier]

I avoid electrical "stuff" like the plague, but I thought I'd mention that when my buddy was installing his air compressor, he said that he checked every circuit to find one that only had power with the key switch on and he found that EVERY circuit has power to it continuously. I'm sure everyone has noticed that everything is on a timer now (ie. headlight off delay, interior light delay, etc. ) so I suppose that what he's telling me makes sense. If the power to these things shut off immediately after turning the truck off, none of these delays would work.

So, CIverson, I'm going to jump out the relay like you have tried and see what happens. Its only money!



Dave

 

[tae73]

Just a reminder when doing electrical work. . disconnect the batterys... i know i know that takes to long to do. but it could prevent a problem.

 

[frijole]

Fog Lights and High Beams?

Unless the laws have changed, D. O. T. regulations nationwide make it unlawful to run fog lamps and high beams at the same time. That's ONE reason they are wired the way Dodge, (and all auto mfgs) wired them. Second, if you're actually running in fog, high beams create a "glare", (like a light wall), that won't allow light to pass thru it. That defeats the whole purpose of fog lamps. I, and everybody else knows why you guys want the extra light, as deer can really mess up a paint job. Just be aware there will be legal issue if you get pulled over for it.

 

[JPM]

I like my fog lights on when I like them to be on, after all they are not landing lights, just your normal crappy factory fogs. I would dim my highbeams if anyone would come down the road anyway. Sooo if anyone can figure out this computer/wiring nightmare Dodge threw at us, good luck.