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

ummie4 · 09-11-2010, 06:42 PM

Mine is hooked up to the yellow wire. No problems so far. I'm no electrician but maybe its the relay that is faulty and a replacement from the dealer would do the trick. If it blows again just return it.

spearfish25 · 09-14-2010, 05:53 PM

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.

spearfish25 · 09-14-2010, 06:04 PM

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.

msb3079 · 11-06-2010, 08:05 PM

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 · 11-06-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

msb3079 · 11-06-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

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

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 · 11-06-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

AK370Z · 11-06-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

msb3079 · 11-07-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

PRNtoxication · 11-20-2010, 11:13 PM

I just installed my fog light from theZstore. Problem is..cant turn it on. Now im looking to get the steering column but no one on here has mentioned where to find a left driver side steering column. Only mention the one they carry on courtesyparts(the reversed steering column). Anybody with an answer or recommendations?

LunaZ · 11-21-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRNtoxication

I just installed my fog light from theZstore. Problem is..cant turn it on. Now im looking to get the steering column but no one on here has mentioned where to find a left driver side steering column. Only mention the one they carry on courtesyparts(the reversed steering column). Anybody with an answer or recommendations?

theZstore didn't have the harness and center console switch available when you ordered?
This fits in the blank between the seat heater switches looks really nice and factory and illuminates. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't indicate an on or off status, but oh well.
Otherwise, you can get a generic rocker switch from Radio Shack and wire that up to your light.

ProfessorDave · 11-26-2010, 03:21 PM

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

CBRich · 11-26-2010, 08:16 PM

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 · 11-26-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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!

PontualZ · 11-29-2010, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

09-14-2010, 05:53 PM	#92 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	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. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

09-14-2010, 06:04 PM	#93 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	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. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

11-20-2010, 11:13 PM	#100 (permalink)
PRNtoxication Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: TEXAS Posts: 10 Drives: 2009 370Z TOURING Rep Power: 15	Steering column assembly..? I just installed my fog light from theZstore. Problem is..cant turn it on. Now im looking to get the steering column but no one on here has mentioned where to find a left driver side steering column. Only mention the one they carry on courtesyparts(the reversed steering column). Anybody with an answer or recommendations?

11-26-2010, 03:21 PM	#102 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	AK and those who have done this install: Any trick to fishing the wires from the trunk through the armrest? Thanks! __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

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09-11-2010, 06:42 PM	#91 (permalink)
ummie4 Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 39 Drives: 09 Fairlady Touring Rep Power: 15	Mine is hooked up to the yellow wire. No problems so far. I'm no electrician but maybe its the relay that is faulty and a replacement from the dealer would do the trick. If it blows again just return it.

11-06-2010, 08:05 PM	#94 (permalink)
msb3079 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: collingswood.nj Posts: 133 Drives: 12 Touring Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	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.

11-26-2010, 08:16 PM	#103 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	If you take out the carpet and foam and all right behind the cross bar you can shoot a hanger straight down the armrest.