96 OEM Fog lights

[mfernandes]

Hello everybody!

In a couple of weeks im installing the oem fog lights to my 96! Yes! I found a set of oem brackets, thanks to edwards1687

Ive found several wiring diagrams for the Rangers, but none is 100% complete or is unclear.
So, for any electrical guru out there... is my plan ok?

The idea is:
RELAY:
From 86 to pin #3 on the fog light switch (Lt blue/Black)
From 87 to both fog lights and pin #6 on switch (tan/orange)
From 30 to +12 battery (fused)
From 85 to pin #5 on switch and also, to the parking lights circuit (red/black)

On switch pin #4 directly to ground (black)

Question 1: is this plan ok? Any modification, sugestion and/or corrections?
Question 2: where do you recommend to hook up the red/black wire on the parking lights? (lights switch, fuse box?)

I want to run my fog lights with the parking lights and low lights. I also want the icon on the swith to light up when the park lights are on, and also, i want the green led to light up then the fog lights are on.

Hope Ive explained myself correctly...

Any input will be appreciated!!!!!

 

[mfernandes]

Come on guys! Gimme a hand!!!

 

[4x4junkie]

You didn't mention what kind of switch you're using...
Assuming pins #5 and #6 are just for indicator lights, and the switch makes it's actual connection between pins #3 and #4 when turned "on", you should be good.

Something I always add is a small rectifier-type diode (1N4002 or similar) across the relay coil to clamp the voltage spike that occurs when you cut power to the coil. Over time this can cause pitting or erosion of the switch contacts.

 

[mfernandes]

Thanks a lot man.
Yes, Im using the stock Ford switch, pins 5 and 6 are for the indicator (led and back light).

Ill search for that diode. In which wire should it be installed? on the Lt blue/black?

 

[mfernandes]

I also found this, which is interesting:

which one would you use? Mine or this???

 

[4x4junkie]

Diode goes between terminals #85 and 86 on your relay (cathode toward positive, or in your case, terminal #85).

I usually just solder the diode directly onto the relay right at the base of the terminals.

Edit:
Both those look about the same to me, just #85 & 86 are reversed, which is fine since the relay coil doesn't have polarity (just make sure if you use a diode it's cathode is toward "+").

 

[mfernandes]

Thanks a lot man.

So, you like the second option, right?
The green led on the switch should light up with the fog lamps on... right?

I prefeern that one too, it seems more simple, exept Id add a fuse to the #86, on the wiring going to the park lamps.

Also... where would you recommend to "hook up" the park lamp wire?

 

[4x4junkie]

Here's another diagram if you want to ponder... This one allows the fog lights to switch on & off with your low beams for example (IIRC, they are set up like this as factory), in addition to having them on all the time. Ideally you should have the fogs go off when you put the hi-beams on so they aren't flooding the immediate foreground with light (constricting your pupils reducing your distance vision).

Connection to the parking lamp circuit isn't critical, wherever it is you find convenient should be fine.


.

 

[mfernandes]

Mmm, that one is nice.
The only doubt i have is; why there are so many options for the same light setup? With this one I have like 5 different layouts! And the obvious question is: which one is best???!!!

 

[adsm08]

I like your original setup aside from where it appears the fogs would stay on with the high beams, and as Junkie mentioned, that isn't good for distance vision. If you bring power for pin 85 from pin 3 at the multi-function switch it should correct that and allow for as-factory operation.

The only other thing I have to add, is that the diode Junkie mentioned, if I understand him correctly, appears to be part of the OEM relay.

Here is the OEM diagram for how they would have been wired at the factory. It's pretty close to what you drew up yourself.

 

[mfernandes]

Thank you very much pal.

This is the one I like, it makes more "sense" I guess.

So, it would be like this... right?

RELAY:
Pin 30: directly to battery (fused)
Pin 86: to parking lights
Pin 85: to pin #3 on fog lights switch (Lt. Blue/Black)
Pin 87: to both fog lights on bumper valance (fused) AND to pin #6 on fog lights switch (Tan/Orange)

SWITCH:
Pin 3: to Relay #85 (Lt. Blue/Black)
Pin 4: to ground (Black)
Pin 5: to dashboard illumination (Red/Black)
Pin 6: to Relay #87 (Tan/Orange)
Pin 1: not used
Pin 2: not used

PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS OK!!!

 

[4x4junkie]

That looks like it will work, yes.

Good luck on it.

 

[mfernandes]

Great! At last!!!

As I wanted a clean install, no relays and fuses hanging arround the engine bay, I wanted to buy a nice auxiliary relay/fuse box, to fit everything in, so I searched at eBay and came accross a very nice guy whos, not only selling me the auxiliary bix, but also a very nice set of relay and fuses, and even more, he will be wiring all this stuff!!!

Then he ships everything to me in Uruguay!

Simply cant de better!!!

Thank you very much guys, you gave me a nice help here! After Ive got all the parts Ill take some pics of the installing process.

 

[mfernandes]

Ok, so Ive got the valance with the fog lights holes, both fog lamps oem brackets (cant belive the material theyve got, ford tough!!), the fog lamps from RockAuto and the wiring harness is coming as we speack from Maine.

The last questions I have prior installations are:

Ill conect the constant +12V directly from the battery (fused offcourse), but, where do you recommend me to connect the wires for the parking lights and dash lights??
Directly on the headlights switch? Any other spot? Any technics in particular for doing this??

Thanks a lot guys, as soon as Ive got everything Ill be doing a new how-to to help other users the same way you helped me.

Thanks a lot!!!

 

[mfernandes]

Come on guys, this is the last step I need to know!

According to the autodim mirror setup, there are 2 wires on the main switch for the parking lights:

[*]Brown – This is the lead wire for the Parking Lamps. You will be making the same Y connection as above and the 3rd piece will go out to the Parking Lamp Relay
[*]Tan/White – This is the power wire for the Parking Lamps. Again, cut this wire and reconnect it with a butt splice and a 3rd piece making the Y.

So, shall I take the power to the relay from the BROWN or TAN/WHITE wire?

As soon as I know this, Im ready to go!