What you mean by “operate automatically with the low beams” may not be clear to me. It is not advisable to hard wire front fog lights such that they always switch on with the low beams. Although some people and even some automobile manufacturers wire front fog lights so they may be operated independently of the low beams, they are often wired so that they can only be operated with a switch when the low beam headlights are already on.
If your Sienna did not come with fog lights, there is no wiring for them. A wiring harness, a switch that sits in the bottom left switch panel, and installation instructions are all included with Toyota and aftermarket supplier’s fog light kits for the Sienna.
You may search this forum to locate a number of older threads about adding front fog lights. I grabbed the installation instructions from a link in one of the forums and used them to install a rear fog light.
In This Article...
Can I put my own fog lights in place?
It’s more difficult to install fog lights on a car that doesn’t already have them than to replace broken ones. The wiring will need to be added by you, and you might need to drill a hole for the lights. Fortunately, most cars today come equipped with fog lights.
Wires for the on/off switch must first be run into the vehicle. The wires will travel through the hood and into the car’s cabin. You can already run these wires via a hole in the majority of vehicles. You might have to drill a small hole yourself if there is no available space.
How are aftermarket fog lights installed?
This standard installation manual explains how to mount our fog lights. We’ll be utilizing the Scion FR-S as a guide for this tutorial. We advise consulting the installation manual for your fog light, either in your package or online at our LED fog lighting guide website.
Step 1: Carefully pull away the stock bezel from the top down using a plastic pry tool.
Second step: Make the installation location accessible under the wheel well liner. To give yourself room to release the clamps and draw out the wheel well cover, turn your wheel. Connect your fog lamp unit to the wiring harness from the relay and switch kit.
Step 3: Secure the tabs on the right side of your fog lights to your bumper. If your LED fog light already has a bezel, you can skip this step.
Step 4 is to reinstall the bezel. On the other side, repeat the past five steps.
Step 5 is to attach the wires to a relay and switch wiring kit. To do this, follow the instructions in our installation guide for relays and switches. You can also use the illustration below:
Step 6: To complete, replace the clamps holding the wheel well liner to the well after testing all of your lights. Enjoy your brand-new fog lamps at this point.
How much does adding fog lights cost?
A vehicle’s auxiliary lighting system includes fog lights, which are often mounted below the main headlights. Fog lights are useful during times of heavy fog or precipitation, while the primary headlights assist you in seeing the road in normal circumstances.
and talk about things like location and professional fees that affect installation costs. In addition, we’ll give you a bonus suggestion for saving money when buying a fog light. Now let’s get into the specifics.
Based on their experiences, several car owners discussed fog light installation costs on numerous internet forums. They said that, taking into account the typical cost of installing a fog light, one would wind up shelling out between $180 and $255.
How Much Is a Fog Light Bulb?
You may get a fog lamp for about $15 and $35, according to numerous eCommerce websites and neighborhood stores. The supplier, brand, body type, intensity, and product fit may all affect the price, though.
How Much Is Fog Light Installation?
Typically, the installation fee ranges from $40 to $60 if you have a mechanic change your fog light bulb at an auto repair shop. According to Element Owners Club, the price of a fog light with installation by the dealer might run you anywhere from $149 to $500.
If you decide to replace the fog lights rather than purchase a new set, the cost may be as low as $100 to $150.
Why do installation fees for fog lights vary so widely? Examine the elements listed below that have an impact on installation costs.
Why don’t all vehicles have fog lights?
Fog lights, also known as fog lamps, are tiny, block- or sphere-shaped lights that are situated below your car’s headlights on the front end. Since they are slanted differently than standard headlights, the light immediately illuminates the road in front of you rather than shining several feet over it.
Front fog lamps are used when visibility is compromised by bad weather, such as when it’s foggy, rainy, misty, or dusty. Fog lights are safer and more desired by many drivers because headlights can be overly bright in low visibility situations and reflect into the driver’s eyes.
The absence of fog lights in your car can now be considered the standard. Since fog lights are only compatible with a few makes and models, not every automobile has them. In fact, fog lights are now found on fewer cars than ever before as newer models do away with them entirely. The phase-out of fog lights, however, only applies to the front: Many states still have laws requiring rear fog lights because they are thought to be essential for sharing the road with other motorists.
How Do Fog Lights Work?
Fog doesn’t actually touch the ground, despite the appearance; hence, fog lights are oriented to be as close to the ground as feasible. To avoid blinding you, the lights are directed steeply downward so that only the ground in front of you is illuminated (and other drivers).
The most frequent light bulb to use while replacing the front fog lamp bulb is yellow. White lights frequently produce a glare that can be perilous, blinding, and disorienting when they are in contact with snow and rain. Yellow lights, on the other hand, can cut through the poor vision without glare, making it a less taxing drive on the eyes.
What Are Rear Fog Lights?
Frontal fog lights are intended to improve your ability to view the ground in low light conditions. Similarly, rear fog lights (sometimes known as rear fog lamps) are intended to prevent accidents with vehicles following you. Rear fog lights provide an additional pair of low-level lights for other drivers to view while assisting with distance perception.
Do fog lights need a relay?
Driving lights and fog lights were invented to help motorists traverse the winding, crooked roads of foggy England. To effectively identify and avoid potential hazards, the road needed to be illuminated by strong lighting. The borders of badly topped roadways were also completely destroyed by the foggy and clammy circumstances brought on by road spray. Driving lights and fog lights also have another frequently overlooked advantage: they are “racing chic.” Installing these lights on your beloved British sports vehicle, however, requires advance planning and preparation.
I can still picture the days when I dug through my “box of wires” and pulled out any gauge wire, no matter how long it was. I would then splice the wires together into a “rat’s nest” of connections, adding crimped ends to connect as many desirable accessories as I could. I’ve had a couple smoke-filled mishaps, so I’m much more cautious now.
Even though my 1966 Volvo 122S isn’t from England, it uses a lot of English-car parts. Two vintage fog lights I purchased at a yard sale will be mounted on my Volvo.
Your lights are already mounted on the vehicle, and the wires are hanging below or behind it, waiting for Mr. Lucas to supply power. Finding the amperage of your driving and fog lights is the first step. Each of my old lamps has a 35 watt reading. Watts divided by Volts equals Amps is the equation for amperage. Since I’ll be using just one lead to connect the lights to the relay, 70W/12V = 5.8A. I’m going to use 14-gauge wire, which can withstand 11.8A. Volts are a measurement of the force driving the flow of current, while amps indicate the amount of current flowing. Installing 10-amp inline fuses will protect my 14-gauge wiring. As a general rule, the fuse should be rated at about 80% of the amperage of the wire. By doing this, you’ll make sure the fuse blows before the wire burns. In my situation, 80% of 11.8A is 9.44A, so an inline 10-amp fuse is ideal.
I’ll need black, green, white, and red 14-gauge wire among other colors. The explanation is straightforward: Each wire’s color designates its function, making it easy for me to locate any problems using my wiring schematic. I need the following to finish the job:
- two inline 10-amp fuses (as above)
- described colors and gauges of wire
- Relay (with four male spade connectors on back)
- Switch (with three male spade connectors on back)
- Spade connectors for women (crimp style)
- connections for eyelets (crimp style)
- However, connectors (crimp style)
- electronic tape
- Secure ties (small black type)
- Wire cutter and crimping tool
- 7/64 drill bit and electric drill
- metal screws for sheet (for connecting ground wires to body)
It is necessary to have a good diagram before cutting any wire. On a piece of blank white paper, sketch a diagram indicating the colors and wire gauge. Every part needs to be labeled. Make the wiring diagram nice and readable because it will be kept with the car. The wiring diagram I used to install two fog lights, complete with fuses, a switch, and a relay, is shown. Consult the manufacturer workshop manual for your automobile if you need help generating a diagram (reprints are available from Moss). Examples of switches, lights, and fuses can be found. It’s vital to comprehend and maintain a common vocabulary for the elements in your designs.
In wiring fog or driving lights with a 30-60A draw, relays are a crucial part. In essence, the relay guards against the switch heating up and producing undesired resistance. The switch’s low current triggers the relay to connect to the heavy load of the fog lights with a higher current. It will have numbered terminals if you bought your relay from a reputable retailer, which makes it much easier to connect things correctly.
The switch is put in second, followed by the relay, and then the fog lights. The only placement choice is where to put the relay because the switch will be on the dash and the fog lights will be at the front of the vehicle. The relay needs to be protected and close to the front of the vehicle. It must be close to a 12V power supply. I’ve selected a spot on the inner fender arch that is cool but shielded from road spray.
Verify your power sources for the switch and the relay using a test light. I discovered a power source for relay terminal 30 on the left headlight’s low beam wire. To ensure that my fog lights only operate while the low beams are on, I will splice into this line. The fuse block for the switch had a hot connection, which I discovered. A 10-amp inline fuse is required for each of these 12V power lines.
You can now begin running your wires in accordance with the wiring diagram. Avoid loops and sagging wires, which could grab on a moving part of the car, and keep cables tight to an existing wire loom. Prior to placing all of the wires, wait to attach the crimped ends to any of them. At each terminal point, trim and leave about 6 inches of spare wire.
For each component, start with the ground connections. Make a 7/64-inch hole in the body at an appropriate connection point. On the ground wire, crimp a “eyelet connector. Next, drive a sheet metal screw through the “eyelet and into the body. Each fog light, the relay, and the switch all require this to be done. Numbered “85,” the relay ground terminal.
Make the necessary switch hole in your dash; for the time being, leave the switch open. I prefer to begin connecting everything at the switch before moving on to the relay and the front of the automobile.
There are two terminals left on the switch. A green wire should be connected from the “acc terminal on the switch’s back to the “86 terminal on the relay. The power supply is connected to the switch’s last terminal. This white wire, which is attached to the fuse block, requires a 10 amp inline fuse.
Next, the relay is wired. As mentioned earlier, the low beam wire of the left headlight serves as the relay’s power supply. To connect a red wire to the relay terminal “30,” splice it into the headlight wire. Make careful you install a 10-amp inline fuse on this line. The relay’s last terminal has the designation “87.” The fog lights will receive power from this port.
Each of the fog lights has two wires: one for the 12V power and one for the ground. Each of these wires from the fog light has a connection to the ground already. The second wire from each fog light must be connected three ways to the red wire going to relay terminal “87.”
Finally, fasten the relay and switch to their respective locations on the dash. Before you use the lock ties and secure everything, you should perform a test.
Start the car and press the switch. Nothing ought to occur. Your fog lights will now turn on when you switch your headlights to “low beam.” Check the switch and make sure the lights are on. To keep all wires in place, use lock ties.
You are now prepared to travel the nation! Your lights will cut through the fog, and they have a “racing cool” appearance.
Do LED fog lights require a relay?
When connecting an LED light bar to your car’s battery, only use a relay. It can be wired without the relay, but you must be more cautious and frequently check all connections. If there is no electricity flowing through the wires, they won’t operate properly and could give you future lighting issues. Do this only if you are confident in your ability to complete it and there is no concern regarding power.
Why Use Relay?
- A relay is a piece of electrical equipment that modifies electricity flow. By utilizing less electricity than there would be in a circuit for high current, it achieves this.
- LEDs are useless without a relay. The light is dependent on light to function. Relays are essential for bright lights. For this reason, if you’re building an LED light, you should use a relay.
- The control switch won’t be able to handle the LED light’s current if there isn’t a relay. It is not a problem if you have a tiny power LED light. However, because there aren’t many huge switches, it can be challenging if you have one with more power. Without a relay, too much voltage or current will flow through the switch, melting the wires and causing excessive heating for an extended period of time.
- A relay can be used to keep your switch cool. Relays can heat up when they aren’t being used, which is problematic. Safety is therefore crucial.
Why Shouldn’t You Use Relay?
- Sparks may occur when the voltage and current levels exceed what is required. When you turn on a relay component, you could observe sparks.
- This kind of switch responds slowly. It can be a problem because you can’t use it to quickly turn switches on and off. Relays should not be used in the wiring for LED lights in these circumstances.
- They react more slowly.
- Due to their low current, they perform poorly in circuits. As a result, their cases need additional electronics.
- The back-emf generated during powering off can harm the coil.