Installing aftermarket foglights - questions

[JR]

hey hey ppls,

coupla questions - hope u guys can help :)
i've bought aftermarket foglights (http://www.blinglights.com/shopbling/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4094), n will b installing them myself in the next 2 weeks or so.

1. wat is the current wattage for the stock astra foglights - 35W or 55W?
2. is it possible to reprogram the electronics to be able to turn on the foglights without having the headlights on? maybe use a tech2?
3. anyone know where i can get a light switch panel? holden charge $155 for it!! ouch.
4. has anyone here done it before? if so, any pointers?

cheers guys n gals
JR

[imay]

I used to have a full set of "how to" instructions on this, but seem to have lost them. I'm sure someone on here will be able to help you with the correct sizes, etc. But you will need: A fuse, a relay and a switch block that includes front fog light switch (any wrecker with a suitable donor Astra will suffice). The wires for the lights runs behind the bumper bar and should be there already.
Good luck, and don't forget to post a couple of pix when the job is all done.

[EL BURITO]

There is a problemn with using the Lights ecu as it can burn somthing out

mentioned one here a few weeks ago

i will see if i can find it

[EL BURITO]

http://www.opelaus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9146

[JR]

I used to have a full set of "how to" instructions on this, but seem to have lost them. I'm sure someone on here will be able to help you with the correct sizes, etc. But you will need: A fuse, a relay and a switch block that includes front fog light switch (any wrecker with a suitable donor Astra will suffice). The wires for the lights runs behind the bumper bar and should be there already.
Good luck, and don't forget to post a couple of pix when the job is all done.

yup.....got the fuse, got the relay, got the foglights - all i need is the the switch panel with front fog switch.
dats my stumbling block.
i'm gonna c if i can find a wrecker in sydney who happen to have an astra or two in their yard.
i've seen the wiring loom - no probs there :)

it would b great if u can find ur "how to"

cheers

[jerrypufflewell]

1- I'd say 55W each
2- It's illegal as it contravenes ADRs, but each to their own I suppose...
3- Wreckers as stated before
4- Yes on my F. Using the stock wiring is a synch ;)

Some nice foggies make it look a lot better :)

[Clint]

There is a problemn with using the Lights ecu as it can burn somthing out

mentioned one here a few weeks ago

i will see if i can find it

i thin what they were talking about in that thread was the original lights running the power straight thru the switch, which could work with the original fog lights, but any more current and its too much for the switch to handle.

JR is running all the current thru a relay, which is how the vectra and i assume the astra does it, so there won't be a problem. at the most the lights could draw too much current for what the relay can handle, but you can check this, it will say on the relay how much it can handle, and the lights will say how much they draw, and if it does fry relays are cheap unlike the original switches

[JR]

wat plan on doing, or ideally, is :-
i) fit the after-market foggies with the existing wiring loom
ii) use after-market relay that comes with the foggies
iii) use switch panel with front foggie button (obtained new or frm wreckers) to activate the foggies

this way, i don't have to do any wiring, or use the ugly big-red flick switch that comes with the after-market foggies. so in effect, pretend its a stock standard setup, but with different bulbs n casing.
should work right?

in-term of using foggies without the headlights, i don't see this as an issue, as i have seen numerous cars with the foggies n parkers on.
i was just wondering if it was possible to trick the astra's ecu/computer to allow the foggies to be activated when the switch is in the no. 2 position - parkers.
clint...wat do u reckon?

[JR]

man.....went to 3 different wreckers on sat, n not one of them had an astra g!!! well, actually one did, but it was only frm the front door back - hence no dashboard!!!
i was spewing.
cause its so hard to find - this got me thinking......why don't i simply get a normal (without the front foggie button) switch panel, remove the rear-foggie button, n put it in my switch panel - in place of the front foggie button???

a button is button right? on....off.....on. sure, it will have the wrong image, i.e my switch panel will have 2x rear foggie buttons, but i can live with that? see image below.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/switch_03.jpg

sounds possible?

oh...n 1 more thing - i should disconnect the battery before doing any of this, any downside to this, in terms of service reminders, or settings?

[Clint]

as almost everything in the vectra and astra is the same, i would assume this is the same too, when the headlight switch is turned on to parkers only, you only turn on the front fogs, after turning on the front fogs you can then turn on the rear fogs i think, and when the headlights are on you can turn on either the front or rear fog lights.

igniton must be turned on for the fog lights to work.

if you like you could always use another switch hidden somewhere if you want to turn on lights at a time that you cannot normally do this.

[jerrypufflewell]

Nah they should come on with parkers with the ECU running as normal, I think the issue is not having tail lights etc. By "without the headlights on" i thought you meant in the full off position (i.e no parkers).

Edit: I see Clint has answered this, but pretty sure rear fogs can only come on with full headlights regardless of front fogs...
Also why do you need the battery disconnected? I suppose ur just being cautious but i don't see that you need to, just plug the switch, relay & lights in with ignition off & light headlight switch off

[JR]

hmm....maybe i'm getting everyone confused here.
ok...here is a pic of the switch panel.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/switch-0.jpg

This is the current factory setting on the Astra Gs.

In the #1 position:-
Parkers = OFF
Headlights = OFF
Front Foglights = Not Available (cannot be turned on)
Rear Foglights = Not Available (cannot be turned on)

In the #2 position:-
Parkers = ON
Headlights = OFF
Front Foglights = Not Available (I'm not sure, but i guess it cannot be turned on, just like the rear. Correct me if i'm wrong)
Rear Foglights = Not Available (cannot be turned on)

In the #3 position:-
Parkers = ON
Headlights = ON
Front Foglights = Available (can be turned ON or OFF)
Rear Foglights = Available (can be turned ON or OFF)

Wat i want to do is have the option to turn the Front Foglights ON or OFF in Switch Position #2. So yes, parkers will be on before i can use the foggies.

[jerrypufflewell]

On the F front foggies can turn on with just parkers but rear only with main-beam, so I presume it is the same with the G-
In the #2 position:-
Parkers = ON
Headlights = OFF
Front Foglights = Available
Rear Foglights = Not Available (cannot be turned on)

[NUTTTR]

First problem you will face is that I BELIEVE the button for fog lights is a micro-touch switch. Meaning it won't switch a relay. It needs the existing car electronics (fuse box relays and timer) in order to work. There's no "ECU" running here, just a simple state-switching device. What this means is you can hook the relay straight to the switch, when you push the button in the lights will go on, but when you let go of it, the lights will go off. If you want to try using a rear foglight button you can, but once you see what's behind it, there's a lot more than just fitting a switch and it working, i have no idea how you will get another switch in there to make it work. I've seen the inside of the drivers switch, save yourself the pain and buy one. It's not really _THAT_ much money. Astra G's all come prewired AFAIK for fog lights. You just need the lights, switch and fuse/relay (not sure about the last 2, they MAY be there, they may not be there). The existing looms will be behind the bumper somewhere along the chassis beams coming out to the front bumper. You should find 1 plug on either side loose there somewhere. Use those, use the correct switch and install it properly. That said, if i do happen to see you driving with fog lights on with parkers on during the day/evening i may be tempted to run into you head-on, because the foglights blinded me and i couldn't see a thing (I have sensitive eyes, lol). Seriously, if your fogs DO come on at any time while you are getting a rego check, you'll fail rego and have to fix the problem before it'll pass. Fog lights are illegal to use when it's not foggy, i'm not sure what is so complex about this rules, but it seems half of australia either can't read, doesn't understand, or is too stupid find the button to turn them off. They don't look cool, they look sh1t. I don't want to be blinded, nor to do i know many other people who do either.

Each to their own, but hopefully i've answered all your questions.

P.S. The reason for fog's is to be able to see in a fog. Normal main beam headlights make seeing in fog a damned sight harder. So, if you want usable fog lights, you want front ones to come on/off with parks and main beam. Although they are pretty useless with the main beams on in fog anyway...

[jerrypufflewell]

lol yet again the rant about using fogs innapropriately :P but I agree, far too many ppl do.
I don't see why the rear switch wouldn't work- the rest of the stuff whould be there already...

[JR]

hey NUTTTR, don't worry, i don't plan on blinding other drivers with my foggies!! i hate that just as much as u do.

the reason i wanna use foggies r during rain n foggy conditions. i drive every weekend too n from sydney n canberra - rain, fog n wildlife create hazards. its these situations i need 'em.

i'll also ensure that the foggies r pointing n angled correctly. plus, u gotta remember the foggies r going to b sitting much much lower than the headlights.

by having the ability to use the foggies without the headlights, means less chance of dazzling on-coming drivers with both the headlights n the foggies on.


jerrypufflewell - thanx, i sure hope thats the case with astra Gs.

[JR]

*UPDATE*
got the foggies - woohoo.
just waiting on the switch panel. then next weekend i'll b fitting it all in.
atm i'm working out a surround for the foggies in the mesh - not as easy as i thought. i want it to look flush n neat.
i've taken a gamble with the swith panel - bought one with only one foglamp switch, frm Kumbak wreckers (vic). i'm going to transplant the foglamp switch into my existing switch panel. if it doesn't work - well there goes 50 bucks.

anyone know if i can buy the mini 15a fuses frm stores like autobarn, repco, supercheap?

also, can anyone confirm if the relay should go in position no IX (9)?

[jerrypufflewell]

I would think the fuse for the front fogs will be a normal blade, it is on mine & you can just get them from just about anywhere... autobarn, repco, supercheap, mitre 10, maybe some other hardware places...
As for relay position on the TR it is in position 11, but it's probably different. If you can post a picture of the diagram from the cover of the fuse box I can confirm it for you :)

[JR]

ok....this one is gonna b long one, so get comfy if ur gonna read it :) oh, n pics were taken frm my fone, so my lopo-lopo-gies ;)

i finally had a chance to look at the switch panel i bought for 50 bucks.

i've opened it up, carefuly, without breaking anything, and have analysed it closely - in conclusion, all i need to do is de-solder a switch from the purchased switchpanel, and solder it to my existing switch panel.
all the connectors going to the dashboard already exist.

here is a pic of the switch panel - opened up.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006044.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006046.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006048.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006052.jpg

the good thing is that i can use the rear foglight switch in the front foglight switch position. i need to make sure i use the two little springs where the circles are marked.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006064.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006061.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006058.jpg

so once i've soldered the switch used for the rear switch into place for the front switch (indicated by the circle), that should be it.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006049.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006051.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006050.jpg

i then plug the rear foglight switch in place of my front foglight switch on the face/cover, plug the relay, plug the fuse, and wham bham......we have foggies :)

and yes, nothing has been broken in the process. everything can be put back together, as good as new. i practiced a few times. wasn't easy, but patience was my best friend. piece a cake now!! lol

now i studied the PCB carefully, and the only thing missing is the front fog switch.

t'row i'll b fitting the foggies to the front bumper - i'll take pics of the progress.

fingers crossed, all goes well.

[jerrypufflewell]

Hey good investigation work :)
Good luck with the install ;)

[JR]

ok.....everything has been fitted, however no, its not working :( sadly.

its either the relay is not correct (but it fits perfectly), or my switch transplant was not enough (maybe the proper one has different circuit board altogether).

i'm gonna order the relay from holden to make sure i have the right 12v relay, and see if it works.
if that doesn't, then i guess i'll have to fork out $150 for the proper switch panel!!!

anywayz here r the pics.

circuit board before
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/01092006049.jpg
circuit board after
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0423.jpg

switch panel
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0421.jpg
switch panel in place
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0428.jpg

Relay + Fuse
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0426.jpg

Foggies in place without surround
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0434.jpg
Foggies in place with surround
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0455.jpg

Completed
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0461.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0459.jpg

oh...n just to confirm, the Brown wire is ground for the Astras right?

[jerrypufflewell]

Yep brown should be ground.

[Clint]

before buying a relay i'd check everything with a multimeter, follow the circuits with the meter and find where the problem is.

[JR]

its kinda hard to test the circuit board with the switch panel removed from the car - no power.

i really think its the relay - although the one that came with the foglights fits well into position no. 9. u can see it in the image attached

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0426.jpg

i dunno if this is the right slot for the foglight relay. if so, which one is the rear foglight relay?

i'm trying to find the legend for the relay switches, but i can't find anything.
the manual only shows the fuse legend.
does anyone have the full astra technical manual thingy?

when i called holden livo - the guy said he's got a picture - "hard to explain"!!! crap...

[JR]

woohoo....just as i suspected - the relay i used (dat came with the kit) was the wrong one!!

i went to holden during my lunch break, they showed me which one n where. its position no. 13, and similar to the rear foglight relay.
its the one next to the rear fog relay - see image.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e122/jrappai/Da%20Car/Foggie%20Project/IMG_0426-1.jpg

so i'm getting the relay t'row - but unfortunately i won't b able to test it till i get to sydney on the weekend. cause i needed to do the wiring properly - so i left it unwired.

unless ofcourse its possible to turn the switch on n see the illumination on the dashboard - with actually having any foggies connected.

fingers crossed that this will work :)

[JR]

touch down.....everything works as planned - sweet.

plugged the right relay in, and it all worked, the switch transplant was a success - woohooo.

and yes, it is possible to turn on the foggies with just the parker lights on.

all up, it cost me $200. probably saved bout 100 bucks.

[Clint]

i checked in my vectra, lights off - no front or rear fog lights, parkers on - can turn front fogs on then rear fog, but not rear fog on their own, headlights on - front and/or rear on

[jerrypufflewell]

x-cellent :)

[faneca]

sorry to resurrect such an old thread but to get the foggies to work u basically just need the switch with the two fog light buttons, the fuse, relay and the wiring loom hiding behind the bar?