Do It Yourself Fog Lamp (EASY)
 

[SIZE="3"]Do It Yourself Fog Lamp (EASY)

I have searched the forums and there are many good ways to install the 370 z rear fog lamp. There are also many variations on what you can make the fog lamp do. I tried to find the easiest way, hassle free plus cost effective. There are a couple of harnesses out there with outrageous prices. As for me, I did not feel comfortable splitting wires and removing many panels from the car. What I did was I contacted Cary from Invisicord. Cary came up with an easy solution that works as a plug and play with no special tools required. There are many DIY on how to install to remove and install the fog lamp. The only new thing you will be doing is pulling the rear license plate harness light. Below is the step by step process I used:
1.Remove dummy fog lamp
2.Remove plate that holds dummy lamp
3.Unclip the rear license plate harness
4.Hook Invisicord wires, the colors match so it’s easier and you should make NO MISTAKES
5.Drop down the wire in the insert whole of the license harness to connect fog lamp
6.Hook the fog lamp
7.Tape wire with electrical tape so it won’t hit the exhaust
8.Clip everything back and you’re done

This set up will only work when the head lamps are on, and that’s it, nothing special, no special blinking, just on. If you do want something else or more options, feel free to contact Cary. This process is something I just tried once and it was easy, fast and cost effective. Cary should be posting this wire setup on his website very soon. Thanks to Tony Nazzal at Riverside Infinity for a great deal on the fog lamp and thanks to Cary at Invisicord for great customer service and creating a great product.

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275335270
Invisicord wire used to connect to rear license plate harness to fog lamp, color coated and 3’-0” long.


http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275335397
Unclip harness from license plate.


http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275335450
Connect Invisicord to rear of harness.


http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275335493
Close up view.


http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275335625
Put rest of wires inside the hole where plate light is clipped in, and then drop it down behind bumper to connect to fog lamp.


http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275335669
Picture on how it looks from behind the bumper, pull down Invisicord for hook up to fog lamp.


http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275336221
Connect Invisicord to fog lamp harness.


http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275336057

Put everything back together, clip the license plate light back to the insert area, tape up loose Invisicord wire to the back of the bumper and you are done. No cutting, no pulling panels, very plain and simple.
I hope this helps. This is just another solution that can help the Z community.
Thanks guys

Awesome...Simply Awesome, thank you Sir, rep soon to come your way!

Thanks for the love. Just trying to put my 2 cents in.

but that turns on each time you have your lights on. those fogs are pretty damn bright for people behind you at night.

^is there a way to decrease the light output??

isnt that the point of safety features?

Yeah the only thing you can do is change the bulb. Many dealers sell the fog lamp but they don’t all have the same level of brightness. I personally seen guys with brighter bulbs than the one’s I have. The one I have matches the level as the rear lamps brightness. Now when I apply the brakes, my rear fog lamp does not light up, it sits normal.

Probably the simplest way to just get the darn thing light without any custom functions. Good deal for a quick and easy install.

Yes, very easy. It was a fast install and super cheap. You should see how much some of the harness wire are running for, dont get me wrong its cool and all, but not for no 150$$ Dollars! There is always a cheaper solution.

did you fix the issue of it turning off when braking?

I agree. I created a complete custom setup for mine on my own for about $10 in Radio Shack materials.

Do you have a pic at night with the lights turned on?

Yes, I just took these a couple minutes ago, check it out.

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275538984

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275538984

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1275538984

:ughdance:

Did the fog light install today. I couldn't remove the two nuts. So frustration set in and I cracked the dummy lens and drilled out the plastic holding the screws.

2 nuts? Geez, how hard is the install? I haven't done it yet...

The dummy fog light is pretty tricky, just be patient, relax take it easy or else you will break something.

i was told you can buy a special kit, that when you press the brakes, the fog light will blink like a strobe light?
anyone else heard of this?

I dont know about like a strobe light, but like a blinker yes, not sure where though.

i want it? lol
if anyone finds a link plz pm me with it.

Yeah, I don't think I want that thing on All the Time when the lights are on... I think I'll look into wiring a relay into one of the brake light wires so that it only comes on during braking. Speaking of rear lights... anyone know the Stock number & a good site to order the stealth ambers for the tails???

Here's the site for the flashing brake lights: The Home Of Flashing Brake Lights


As for the dummy plug, I posted a response in the Fog Light DIY sticky with pics on how to easily remove it. Before you start you dremel a slot in the stud. You then stick a flathead through your wrench and put it in the slot to hold the stud still while you remove the nut. Works best with a ratcheting wrench.

How did you connect Invisicord to fog lamp harness? All I have is the cord and foglight, no harness on the cord to connect to the foglight harness..

The invisicord is just a simple 3' wires with 2 connections, one is black and the other one is yellow. You will connect the invisicord to the back of the harness on the fog lamp. On the fog lamp there are 2 wires hooking up to a connector, you will place the invisicord wire on the back of that connector. Let me know if this info helps, feel free to hit me up, I do have plenty of pictures that help illustrate the installation.:tiphat:

In the pic below, it looks like you have the cord plugged into a harness.

Yup, thats it. You see how the invisicord is hooked up to the back of that connector. Dont get confused with the loose connceter in the back ground. that comes on the 2010 model but does not work unless you have the fog lamp button and other special things inside the car, cant remember the reason. But for this situation, just hook up the invisicord just like whats on the picture. take it easy and be patient squizing the invisicord wire, it will be a tight fit.

Just finished the install.... IT WAS SUPER EASY!!! The only problem I had was the cord kept coming loose on the license plate harness. I didn't have a problem with the 2 nuts. I just used a 10mm socket wrench and took them off with out any problems. It was a tight fit trying to get to the 3 plugs holding the bracket. I wish we could use the dummy light for something...

As far as the brightness of the fog lamp, its the same brightness as the taillights. Its not bright as the picture shows.

Installation was a breeze! it took me 15 min. to install.. I would definitely recommend this.. Thanks for all the help Lastblueprint.. You deserve a Rep point!!!

Has anyone tried installing a LED bulb in there?

I glad it was easy. Congrads on the hook up, I just used electrical tape to tape the invisicord wire away from the exhaust, to keep it from melting the wires. Post up some pictures on the finish install.:icon17:

Worked...
 

I just wanted to say "thank you." I had purchased a fog lamp a while back not knowing all that went with it. I didn't want to spend a lot more money on a harness and then I'm very afraid of messing up something so I had just put the lamp in the garage until I saw your thread. I ordered the wire and this Saturday I was able to put it in and it works fine. It was not a easy as one, two, three but I was able to get in done in about a hour. I had hooked up everything but I could not get the light to come on. I guess I didn't have a good connection but finally I did.

It is a tight fit getting the metal piece off and back on....

Thanks alot for the idea.

It’s not hard, when un-bolting the plate and removing the dummy fog lamp it gets a little tricky but nothing major, should take about 15-20 minutes for a complete install. To remove the dummy lamp just be patient or else you will brake something.

Congrads on the mod, yeah do make sure the wires are tight on the back or else the lamp won’t go on. I can see why you spent an hour trying to make sure it goes on. But I’m glad it worked out. No problem, I will have more DIY later on. Enjoy your Mod!!!!

Can you guys tell me where I should order the correct fog lamp? I saw one on ebay but I was not sure if It was the one you guys ordered. Thanks in advance.

Be careful with any ebay stuff, remember you get what you pay for. The one I bought is straight from Nissan so I have no worries.Check out vendors here, they have great deals as well, plus you know your getting the right one

Hi LastBlueprint,
Thank you so much for your DIY Instruction and answer. Besides ordering the Fog Lamp and Invisicord, Do I need to order any other harness or connector? Thanks again.

Thats it, get some electrical tape, to tape up the invisicord wire to the bumper so it wont heat up against the exhaust. If you need anything feel free to hit me up

I got mine from the Z store. Just do a search for them. I believe I paid $63 shipped.

Do check vendors here and search around, or contanct Tonny Nazzal from Riverside Infiniti. Tell him Henry sent ya!

For a cleaner install in the area of the bumper to prevent the heat damage to the wire as spoken of abover, go to radioshack and get a little bag of wire retainers. They're square and 3 dimensional with a hole in them that allows you to pass a tie wrap thru. They have adhesive on the back and if the location on the bumper is cleaned well, they'll adhere very well.

I agree with all of you saying the one being sold is a lot of money.

I took that harness a step further and had it flash when the brake was applied.

Take a look

http://www.the370z.com/north-east-re...me-know-9.html

Here is a trick.

Take a small butane torch head up both nuts on the back of the fog light. Than spray either some creepier oil or wd40 on them for about 5 seconds each. Let them sit for about 30 seconds and than take them off.

I could not take out those two Nuts. I finally dremeled them out. It took me 30 minutes to take out those two Nutty Nuts. Thanks everyone.