Front fog lights

Roo · Mar 1st, 2004, 14:39

Ive just spent the weekend fitting front foglights to my 850 T5. All the wiring seems to be there and the fuse is in place. Ive connected the lights up and used a front foglight switch from a V70. The problem is however that nothing happens! I have gone through the motions such as checking the bulbs, fuse connections etc but all is ok. I also tested the plug at the switch and found the only live wire was the pink one which illuminates the switch itself. All the rest were dead. Does anybody have any ideas as to what the problem could be?

TIA

Andrew

sholtby · Mar 1st, 2004, 18:32

I'll have a complete guess at it. Is there a relay that you need to fit somewhere?

Simon

liuleichan · Mar 2nd, 2004, 10:44

>Ive just spent the weekend fitting front foglights to my 850
>T5. All the wiring seems to be there and the fuse is in place.
>Ive connected the lights up and used a front foglight switch
>from a V70. The problem is however that nothing happens! I
>have gone through the motions such as checking the bulbs, fuse
>connections etc but all is ok. I also tested the plug at the
>switch and found the only live wire was the pink one which
>illuminates the switch itself. All the rest were dead. Does
>anybody have any ideas as to what the problem could be?

I wouldn't bother with the hassle ;-)

Although over the years, I've driven in heavy fog, I can't recall any situation where the fog was so heavy that the front fogs would have been any use.

The speed has to be pretty low for them to be any use - else they just light up the "dead" zone.

Seems more hassle than they're worth. I occasionaly flick then on, when parked, just to check they still work - other than that, they just seem a fashion accessory, these days.

Chris_Rogers · Mar 2nd, 2004, 17:23

You need a relay fitted in the central electrical module under the dash, drivers side.
if you e-mail me I'll look out the diagram.

Roo · Mar 2nd, 2004, 20:26

I hate having blank spaces in the dash, simple as that! I had worked out from the Haynes manual that the relay for the back fogs supplies the fronts as well but this seems not to be the case.

liuleichan · Mar 3rd, 2004, 09:57

>I hate having blank spaces in the dash, simple as that!

Then put the switch in, and worry not - either that, or do a worthwhile mod like the aerial switch.

>I had
>worked out from the Haynes manual that the relay for the back
>fogs supplies the fronts as well but this seems not to be the
>case.

I dunno about the relays used, but the two kinds of fog lights are independent on my S70 - the fronts will come on (I think) on dim-dip and above. I don't know if they would go off with main beam on - common sense says they should, but I've never investigated.

The rear fog lights are dependant on at least dipped headlights.

Truly, though, I think they're the biggest waste of time ever - especially if you're going to the lengths of actually installing them, where they aren't there. I'm sure there may be the odd location, where front fogs are actually beneficial - but I haven't driven in such conditions.

They just seem to serve the purpose as being an outward signal (when they're lit) that there's a muppet around ;-)

Alex T5 · Mar 3rd, 2004, 12:47

I have front fogs on my 850 (factory fitted I think) and believe their only value to be visual. They work with only drl's on and stay lit on main beam. I put them on last night in the dark with just the drl's on and the beam pattern suggests that the fog wold have to be so thick to get any benefit that you probably wouldn't be able to see beyond the end of the bonnet anyway.

I did notice however the significant bhp added to the car by switching them on and now understand why it is so important to use them irrespective of fog!!

gary1638 · Mar 3rd, 2004, 21:38

I have been driving for a lot more years than I have not, and I can only recall one occaision when front fogs would have been of use. My current T5 does not have them, but both my previous cars did, and the only time they were on was to make sure they still worked!

Roo · Mar 4th, 2004, 09:51

Yes I too am of the same thinking that front fog lights are 99.9% of the time completely unecessary but the reason I am fitting them is a) Most of the works been done by Volvo so wiring should be easy b) I dont like blank spaces in the dash and c) I like tinkering with my car. On my last car I fitted cruise control, trip computer and remote locking just because it didnt have them and I enjoy the challenge of fitting them. I get bored easily at the weekends!

liuleichan · Mar 4th, 2004, 12:18

>Yes I too am of the same thinking that front fog lights are
>99.9% of the time completely unecessary but the reason I am
>fitting them is a) Most of the works been done by Volvo so
>wiring should be easy b) I dont like blank spaces in the dash
>and c) I like tinkering with my car. On my last car I fitted
>cruise control, trip computer and remote locking just because
>it didnt have them and I enjoy the challenge of fitting them.
>I get bored easily at the weekends!

Then think about a mod that's actually of some use, then, like the aerial switch I mentioned.

That and a list of part numbers, detailed instructions, and jpgs taken during the process should do ;-)

Mar 1st, 2004, 14:39	#1
Roo T5 - White Last Online: May 27th, 2021 08:37 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Peterborough	Front fog lights Ive just spent the weekend fitting front foglights to my 850 T5. All the wiring seems to be there and the fuse is in place. Ive connected the lights up and used a front foglight switch from a V70. The problem is however that nothing happens! I have gone through the motions such as checking the bulbs, fuse connections etc but all is ok. I also tested the plug at the switch and found the only live wire was the pink one which illuminates the switch itself. All the rest were dead. Does anybody have any ideas as to what the problem could be? TIA Andrew __________________ 1996 Volvo 854 T5 >>>>Volvo 854<<<< 1978 Volvo 244 DL >>>>Volvo 244DL Project<<<<

Mar 1st, 2004, 18:32	#2
sholtby Premier Member Last Online: May 26th, 2010 20:17 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: north east	RE: Front fog lights I'll have a complete guess at it. Is there a relay that you need to fit somewhere? Simon

Mar 2nd, 2004, 10:44	#3
liuleichan Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2019 22:01 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: .	RE: Front fog lights >Ive just spent the weekend fitting front foglights to my 850 >T5. All the wiring seems to be there and the fuse is in place. >Ive connected the lights up and used a front foglight switch >from a V70. The problem is however that nothing happens! I >have gone through the motions such as checking the bulbs, fuse >connections etc but all is ok. I also tested the plug at the >switch and found the only live wire was the pink one which >illuminates the switch itself. All the rest were dead. Does >anybody have any ideas as to what the problem could be? I wouldn't bother with the hassle ;-) Although over the years, I've driven in heavy fog, I can't recall any situation where the fog was so heavy that the front fogs would have been any use. The speed has to be pretty low for them to be any use - else they just light up the "dead" zone. Seems more hassle than they're worth. I occasionaly flick then on, when parked, just to check they still work - other than that, they just seem a fashion accessory, these days.

Mar 2nd, 2004, 17:23	#4
Chris_Rogers VOC Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2017 16:55 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: South Kent Coast	RE: Front fog lights You need a relay fitted in the central electrical module under the dash, drivers side. if you e-mail me I'll look out the diagram.

Mar 2nd, 2004, 20:26	#5
Roo T5 - White Last Online: May 27th, 2021 08:37 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Peterborough	RE: Front fog lights I hate having blank spaces in the dash, simple as that! I had worked out from the Haynes manual that the relay for the back fogs supplies the fronts as well but this seems not to be the case. __________________ 1996 Volvo 854 T5 >>>>Volvo 854<<<< 1978 Volvo 244 DL >>>>Volvo 244DL Project<<<<

Mar 3rd, 2004, 09:57	#6
liuleichan Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2019 22:01 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: .	RE: Front fog lights >I hate having blank spaces in the dash, simple as that! Then put the switch in, and worry not - either that, or do a worthwhile mod like the aerial switch. >I had >worked out from the Haynes manual that the relay for the back >fogs supplies the fronts as well but this seems not to be the >case. I dunno about the relays used, but the two kinds of fog lights are independent on my S70 - the fronts will come on (I think) on dim-dip and above. I don't know if they would go off with main beam on - common sense says they should, but I've never investigated. The rear fog lights are dependant on at least dipped headlights. Truly, though, I think they're the biggest waste of time ever - especially if you're going to the lengths of actually installing them, where they aren't there. I'm sure there may be the odd location, where front fogs are actually beneficial - but I haven't driven in such conditions. They just seem to serve the purpose as being an outward signal (when they're lit) that there's a muppet around ;-)

Mar 3rd, 2004, 12:47	#7
Alex T5 Junior Member Last Online: Dec 10th, 2017 16:30 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ringwood	RE: Front fog lights I have front fogs on my 850 (factory fitted I think) and believe their only value to be visual. They work with only drl's on and stay lit on main beam. I put them on last night in the dark with just the drl's on and the beam pattern suggests that the fog wold have to be so thick to get any benefit that you probably wouldn't be able to see beyond the end of the bonnet anyway. I did notice however the significant bhp added to the car by switching them on and now understand why it is so important to use them irrespective of fog!!

Mar 3rd, 2004, 21:38	#8
gary1638 Member Last Online: Sep 2nd, 2011 13:21 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: verwood	RE: Front fog lights I have been driving for a lot more years than I have not, and I can only recall one occaision when front fogs would have been of use. My current T5 does not have them, but both my previous cars did, and the only time they were on was to make sure they still worked!

Mar 4th, 2004, 09:51	#9
Roo T5 - White Last Online: May 27th, 2021 08:37 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Peterborough	RE: Front fog lights Yes I too am of the same thinking that front fog lights are 99.9% of the time completely unecessary but the reason I am fitting them is a) Most of the works been done by Volvo so wiring should be easy b) I dont like blank spaces in the dash and c) I like tinkering with my car. On my last car I fitted cruise control, trip computer and remote locking just because it didnt have them and I enjoy the challenge of fitting them. I get bored easily at the weekends! __________________ 1996 Volvo 854 T5 >>>>Volvo 854<<<< 1978 Volvo 244 DL >>>>Volvo 244DL Project<<<<

Mar 4th, 2004, 12:18	#10
liuleichan Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2019 22:01 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: .	RE: Front fog lights >Yes I too am of the same thinking that front fog lights are >99.9% of the time completely unecessary but the reason I am >fitting them is a) Most of the works been done by Volvo so >wiring should be easy b) I dont like blank spaces in the dash >and c) I like tinkering with my car. On my last car I fitted >cruise control, trip computer and remote locking just because >it didnt have them and I enjoy the challenge of fitting them. >I get bored easily at the weekends! Then think about a mod that's actually of some use, then, like the aerial switch I mentioned. That and a list of part numbers, detailed instructions, and jpgs taken during the process should do ;-)

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