rear fog light not getting power

AviatorTim · 01-12-2016, 08:56 PM

I installed a custom hitch to be able to transport my bikes. I was hoping to power an LED hitch cover from the rear fog light wiring harness. My 2009 Z Touring model did not come with the fog light option. However, the rear fog light case and wiring were all in place minus a bulb. It appears Nissan installs them in all models without or without the rear fog light option to cut down on assembly line costs. So I assumed I would find power to the wires but I'm not getting an volts (or amps) there when testing with a multi-meter.

As best I can tell from the owners manual, there's an alternative style headlight switch in the steering column on models with the fog light option installed. My theory is there's no power to the rear wires because there's not way to turn them on without the headlight switch with fog light position. But I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable about the installation can share some insight to help with the project.

Thanks!

SouthArk370Z · 01-12-2016, 09:34 PM

There are several threads and DIYs on adding a rear fog light. If you can't find them using the site's search, use on of the web search engines and add "site:the370z.com" to your search string. If all else fails, wiring diagrams are in the FSM (link in my sig).

axmea? · 01-12-2016, 10:36 PM

Tap from your brake light and use a relay?

Z Runner · 01-13-2016, 02:37 AM

OEM Connector by the fake light gets power only when brake pedal is pressed.

DEpointfive0 · 01-13-2016, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z Runner

OEM Connector by the fake light gets power only when brake pedal is pressed.

Incorrect.

OP, the OEM harness will only receive power if you replace the windshield wiper/light stalks to a Canadian or JDM version.

That said, do what the rest of us do, splice into the tail light connection

zae757 · 01-13-2016, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

Incorrect.

OP, the OEM harness will only receive power if you replace the windshield wiper/light stalks to a Canadian or JDM version.

That said, do what the rest of us do, splice into the tail light connection

Yea...that's what I did to install my rear fog light. Just cut into one of your rear tail lights (I did the right side). It's a clean look too, don't know why Nissan wouldn't want to put that on all of the Z's produced regardless of location.

DEpointfive0 · 01-13-2016, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zae757

Yea...that's what I did to install my rear fog light. Just cut into one of your rear tail lights (I did the right side). It's a clean look too, don't know why Nissan wouldn't want to put that on all of the Z's produced regardless of location.

Because if you haven't noticed, Nissan is 100% run by the finance department

fitisgo · 01-14-2016, 01:08 PM

I used the license plate lights, way easier and they only come on when the headlights are on. Remove a license plate light, use the T tap or butt splice or wtfever it's called and slide the harness down and boom goes the dynamite

Z Runner · 01-14-2016, 01:12 PM

That's what's happening on my 2016 Z

But to get it working right I cut in to the left tail light with the flasher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

Incorrect.

OP, the OEM harness will only receive power if you replace the windshield wiper/light stalks to a Canadian or JDM version.

That said, do what the rest of us do, splice into the tail light connection

01-12-2016, 08:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
AviatorTim Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Orlando Posts: 33 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	rear fog light not getting power I installed a custom hitch to be able to transport my bikes. I was hoping to power an LED hitch cover from the rear fog light wiring harness. My 2009 Z Touring model did not come with the fog light option. However, the rear fog light case and wiring were all in place minus a bulb. It appears Nissan installs them in all models without or without the rear fog light option to cut down on assembly line costs. So I assumed I would find power to the wires but I'm not getting an volts (or amps) there when testing with a multi-meter. As best I can tell from the owners manual, there's an alternative style headlight switch in the steering column on models with the fog light option installed. My theory is there's no power to the rear wires because there's not way to turn them on without the headlight switch with fog light position. But I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable about the installation can share some insight to help with the project. Thanks!

01-12-2016, 09:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	There are several threads and DIYs on adding a rear fog light. If you can't find them using the site's search, use on of the web search engines and add "site:the370z.com" to your search string. If all else fails, wiring diagrams are in the FSM (link in my sig). __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

01-12-2016, 10:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
axmea? A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,236 Drives: WELL ZED PW 6MT Rep Power: 53241	Tap from your brake light and use a relay? __________________ >MyZ's Album< NISMO Convert/ECUTEK/Takeda CAI/F.I. HFC NR CB Carbon/F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler/4.08 Final Drive /Powertrix+Swifts/Hotchkis/SPL/Whiteline/TWM/Zoom Engineering/EVO-R/AeroJacket Vented CF Fenders + CF Spoiler/Avant Garde-WORK/NST/Morimoto Halo/STi Clear Lenses/Carbon Signal Automotive/RJM Performance/ZSpeed Clutch Flywheel CSC delete

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01-13-2016, 02:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Z Runner Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 332 Drives: 2016 370Z KAD M Base Rep Power: 27	OEM Connector by the fake light gets power only when brake pedal is pressed.

01-14-2016, 01:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
fitisgo Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Arkansas Posts: 10 Drives: 2014 6MT Sport Rep Power: 10	I used the license plate lights, way easier and they only come on when the headlights are on. Remove a license plate light, use the T tap or butt splice or wtfever it's called and slide the harness down and boom goes the dynamite