VXII Berlina Fog Lamps

[myberlina]

Hey guys.

I am thinking of adding the factory fog lamps to my berlina. I have been told already that the wiring harness from the factory is not included in my model but I am still keen on making this addition to the car.

I would like to know what I need to do? I obviously need a kit of sorts (probably from the wreckers somewhere) and the wiring assembly that goes with.

Is it something I should take to a professional to do (pay exorbitant amount of money) or DIY kinda thing (and have fun getting to know my new car!)? My only worry is the bumper as some people have said I need to replace it or cut holes in the corner sections or the lower air intake and wiring the original harness the way Holden probably would have done.

I like doing this sorta thing on my own in the backyard but maybe for fear or screwing my beutiful baby up I might leave this to the experts? LOL

My ride happens to be a '02 VX Berlina (Series II). I would value any input you guys may have. Thanks.

[Tasmaniak]

It's actually a relativly simple process in the wiring side of things. I can't comment about the actual mounting because I've never done it, but I would have a look and see if you can't find the mounting holes. I would've thought that they are there.

Get hold of the foglight switch (or use a toggle switch from autobarn)
After mounting your foglights, run a wire from them to a relay mounted near the battery use pin87(use decent size cable as well). Then splice into the park light wire behind the dash and run it too one side of the switch. Then from the switch goto pin86 on the relay. Pin 85 goes to Earth. Then, from pin30, run a FUSED length of cable to the positive on the battery.

Doing it this way will only allow the foglights to work if the parkers are switched on. Switch them off and the foglights go off as well. If you are mounting SPOT lights then instead of wiring them to the parkers you MUST(legally) wire them to the high beams

[TigerVX]

Are you sure the wiring isn't there? I was told that all models except the calais had the same wiring harness.
You can check by climbing under your car and look up beside the radiator. There should be an oval shaped plug taped up to some other wiring. The wires should be purple with white stripe and a white with blue or black stripe(depending on which side you are looking at).
My 2000 exec has the wiring for the lights.

[Keepleft]

12 Voltking wrote: "Doing it this way will only allow the foglights to work if the parkers are switched on".

Not quite, (and it really does not matter AND is legally required). The front fog lights will work on Park, Low and High-Beam. Simply the park (position-sidelights) do NOT extinguish when on low and high-beam because their primary design purpose is to show a vehicles front outline when the low beam fails!

Your wiring suggestion is absolutely correct and ADR and National Vehicle Standards required.

AND "Switch them off and the foglights go off as well".
The front fog lights will extinguish if the headlight switch is OFF, EVEN if the front fog light switch is ON. This is appropriate.

A couple of points/notes:
Front fog light switch: Do NOT use or source in 'duckbill' form an LED switch (used as a pilot light/tell-tale). The LED's in these are blinding be they from Narva or Hella. If you use a duckbill switch, ensure it is not of the LED variety.

* A pilot light is optional for front fog lights. If you use one, I suggest you order/seek GREEN. (Not orange).

* If your considering 'fog lights', you might like to consider a REAR fog light, since we Eurofiles teach that 'rear fog lights remain the primary defence against collisions under poor visibility', a reason why ONLY rear fogs are mandatory, whilst front remain optional in EU. The pilot light for this lamp is mandatory, and the colour emitted by the switch or pilot lamp must be orange/yellow.

The rear fog is red and offers many seconds advanced warning over your standard taillights which remain useless in even moderate rain on a freeway in daylight!

Myberlina: The VX factory SS Commodore front fog lights are recognised glaries by the public and road authorities (Not Compliance marked). They have been discontinued (thankfully) on the current model.

You could source the HSV item of the same model range, these were Euro/World compliance marked and the pricing was very similar compared to their SS cousins, OR you could source aftermarket supply.

If you decide to go aftermarket, ONLY purchase a set of front fog lights bearing COMPLIANCE markings on the lens, anything else will not be up to standard. Look closely at the lens, you will see an E or e in a circle, next to this will be a number. Example (E13) which means the product was Compliance tested for world homologation in Luxembourg.

NOW, above or near that you will see '02B'. The 'B' or 'b' is compliance speak for front fog light. The North American market units will bear 'F' for fog, example F-99.

IF you see 'HR' or 'HR-P' the 'R' is compliance speak for 'driving light'. H=halogen, P=Plastic lens. The North American market units will bear 'Y' for driving lamp, example Y-99.

Some lamps will bear markings for both functions, these are at best a 'compromise' of each function, you wire these type of lamps depending on the function desired.

SOME front fog lights bear compliance markings yet have a blue lens. Legal absolutely, the light transmitted is 'white optic', not blue and the lens or parabol colour is merely a styling exersize. Up to you as consumer!

Look in direction of Narva or Hella for lamps. E-coded units elsewhere (Even Supercheap) will also suffice. Narva and Hella have switches with designated ISO symbols for front fog light function, see their online web catalogues to choose and order.

USE: Under seriously reduced visibility conditions it is best to run with only the front fog lights and sidelights (parkers) on, this reduces glare feedback caused even by low beam, run with the rear fog on under such conditions.

* Front fogs are excellent in falling snow!

[Tasmaniak]

12 Voltking wrote: "Doing it this way will only allow the foglights to work if the parkers are switched on".

Not quite, (and it really does not matter AND is legally required). The front fog lights will work on Park, Low and High-Beam. Simply the park (position-sidelights) do NOT extinguish when on low and high-beam because their primary design purpose is to show a vehicles front outline when the low beam fails!

Erm, not meaning to be picky, but thats exactly what I meant. If the park lights are on, then the fog lights are able to be swtiched on. I just assumed everyone would be aware that if your headlights are on then so would your park lights.

[Keepleft]

Hi - "I just assumed everyone would be aware that if your headlights are on then so would your park lights".

You would think so, but in my time in transport some folk think 'park lights' only work when switched on - when parked'.

Issue of terminology and what the lights actually are in design.

No offence mean't or taken, was just-in-case-for-some-category-of-reader folk.

[myberlina]

Are you sure the wiring isn't there? I was told that all models except the calais had the same wiring harness.
You can check by climbing under your car and look up beside the radiator. There should be an oval shaped plug taped up to some other wiring. The wires should be purple with white stripe and a white with blue or black stripe(depending on which side you are looking at).
My 2000 exec has the wiring for the lights.

I have searched the entire section near the radiator and found 1 set of spade connectors on the passenger side. When tested, I found it was an additional wiring setup for the horn relay.

Otherwise to my disappointment, I have found nothing.

[myberlina]

Another question.

Is it worth chasing after the Holden style fog lamps (as per factory standard on the berlina)? Cause I have been told by "a friend of a friends friend" that I would have to change the whole front bumper of my car to do it.

I am also told I could make clearance but cutting out appropriate sections of my bumper... not that keen on it but sacrifices must be made! hehehe

[SIXAPPEAL]

Sorry to highjack, but didn't wanna waste making another thread.

I have a 2000 VX Acclaim, the wiring loom is in the dash as I have the SS dash and a fog lamp switch installed under the light switch. The fog lamps are installed in the bumper, there's power coming from the relay but the lamps don't turn on when I push the fog lamp button. So if the looms in the dash and the powers coming from the relay what else could it be? Is there's something else I need to get to connect something else?

Does this make sense, argh, I'm tired.

[myberlina]

I would think its a bad earth connection maybe? I'm no expert but it could be... either that or the globe is blown... I am sure you checked that right??? lol

[deserthead]

Michelle, r u definitly sure there is power getting to the lights?
Wen u push the switch can you hear the relay click?
If it does, are you getting 12 volts across the pins that the lights plug into?
If thats yes, then I'd say the globe is blown, if not, the try on pin at a time to the frame of the car, if you get 12 volts across on then you have a dodge earth somewhere.
Its hard to diagnose without actually cin it, but hope this helps ya out a little. . . .
Cheers, Keegan!!

[TigerVX]

Sorry to highjack, but didn't wanna waste making another thread.

I have a 2000 VX Acclaim, the wiring loom is in the dash as I have the SS dash and a fog lamp switch installed under the light switch. The fog lamps are installed in the bumper, there's power coming from the relay but the lamps don't turn on when I push the fog lamp button. So if the looms in the dash and the powers coming from the relay what else could it be? Is there's something else I need to get to connect something else?

Does this make sense, argh, I'm tired.

Were you trying this with the parkers on?

[SIXAPPEAL]

A light doesn't even come up on the Cluster to say the fog lamps are on, but there is power to the fog lamp relay. Is there a fuse somewhere that the relay runs off?

An electritian checked it quickly.. We tried with the parkers low beam and high beam on still nothing

[deserthead]

Hey myberlina, I'd go straight to Holden and find out whether or not you need to cut your bar up for the lights. I thought they fit in the corner of the mouth?
Also wen u looked for the cables, did you check right up high, near the wash bottle etc? Thats where mine were taped up to. Easiest way to tell, without gettin dirty is, open the fuse/realy box in the enging bay. Look at the spot where the fog light relay is meant to go, if the pins r there for the realy to slot into then the wirin is there, if not, then. . . .

Michelle,
The relay is controlled off the parkers. Did you hear a click, like I said wen u turn it on? The globe may be blown on you dash too. . . It dont matter bout your high or low beams, only your parkers. Try wot I said first.
You can check Fuses 29 & 30 in the engine bay, but if one of them had gone, then one of you head lights wouldn't work. . .

[TigerVX]

A light doesn't even come up on the Cluster to say the fog lamps are on, but there is power to the fog lamp relay. Is there a fuse somewhere that the relay runs off?

An electritian checked it quickly.. We tried with the parkers low beam and high beam on still nothing

Mine work but the dash light does not come on with mine. I've been told that the globe still needs to be installed in the cluster.

[myberlina]

One way to test the cluster lights (so I am told) is to use some combination of the trip computer buttons when turning the ignition to the ON position.

In doing this, all lights and devices are all turned on within the dash cluster. Speed, temperature and fuel readings go to half way mark.

Not sure what buttons need to be pressed but it is something along the lines of holding the MODE and UP buttons simultaneously when turning the ignition ON.

Will try it on mine later and post if someone hasn't already told. I think Chrisd79 is right about the globe thou, it may have to be installed seperately.