Independent Fog lights fried my harness?
#1
Independent Fog lights fried my harness?
Driving home Monday night my low beams pulsed once and then completely shut off. After that my whole lighting system went haywire. The fogs (wired up independently) would only turn on if set to parking lights and the high beams were switched to on. The highbeams would only work if you pulled the switch back using the "flash" mode. Low beams did not function at all. Checked the fuses and the bulbs and everything looked good. So I had no choice but to drop it off at the dealership.
After a day of going through wires and researching they said the headlight harness was fried because it is extremely sensitive to current changes and snipping the wire to the Fogs caused it to overload and fry. Worst part is they can't just order the harness, or so they say. HofA said they'd have to like take a picture and make diagrams so they could make a new one or they'd have to replace the entire wiring system in the dash.
Right now they're claiming no warranty since they say the independent fog light mod is what caused it, though I call BS since I've had the modification done over 2 years ago with absolutely no problems. The shop guy said they found a harness from the 01-05 Civics that looks exactly the same and they're gonna try that tomorrow morning. ~$400 if it's not warranted.
I'll update this post when all is said and done, if it's truly a problem with the independent fogs I'd assume others would have noticed it by now, but if it is it may be something some of you with the mod might want to reverse before you have the same problem.
After a day of going through wires and researching they said the headlight harness was fried because it is extremely sensitive to current changes and snipping the wire to the Fogs caused it to overload and fry. Worst part is they can't just order the harness, or so they say. HofA said they'd have to like take a picture and make diagrams so they could make a new one or they'd have to replace the entire wiring system in the dash.
Right now they're claiming no warranty since they say the independent fog light mod is what caused it, though I call BS since I've had the modification done over 2 years ago with absolutely no problems. The shop guy said they found a harness from the 01-05 Civics that looks exactly the same and they're gonna try that tomorrow morning. ~$400 if it's not warranted.
I'll update this post when all is said and done, if it's truly a problem with the independent fogs I'd assume others would have noticed it by now, but if it is it may be something some of you with the mod might want to reverse before you have the same problem.
Last edited by Arisenfury; 07-15-2009 at 11:06 PM.
#6
The only other thing I can think of was I had the subwoofer going pretty hard and it can usually put a drain on the current to the lights and get that dimming but I've never ever heard of an amp blowing harnesses that aren't even wired up anywhere near each other. I'd also assume the many people here would've encountered the same problem as well too but I haven't heard of it yet.
#7
the only problems i encountered was my fog light bulbs blowing up, the glass expanded and bulged. scary stuff. i assumed that was from using the high beams with the fogs. i still use em together, but on a very minimum. im hoping wit wont have the same affect with real HIDs :S
#9
the only problems i encountered was my fog light bulbs blowing up, the glass expanded and bulged. scary stuff. i assumed that was from using the high beams with the fogs. i still use em together, but on a very minimum. im hoping wit wont have the same affect with real HIDs :S
#10
Well it was my fault, independent fogs overloaded the wiring harness in the steering column. Grand total was about $450. I don't think everyday usage of independent fogs will mess it up but I think the combo of the sensitive wiring and the subwoofer may have had something to do with it. But those with it done and those who are considering it may want to reconsider it.
#13
You should have used an in-line fuse as was suggested in the original DIY for independent fogs. The fuse would have protected your wiring harness by letting go when the sub caused a voltage sag. Slim comfort to you now, but no reason to not perform the mod. If its done right you shouldn't have any problems. I just inspected miine after a year of daily use with HID fogs and it is fine.
#16
I would have a hard time driving mine without the fogs, the headlights just don't cut it on their own. Go for it man, you know its worth it. And you can get the add-a fuse from Autozone for like three bucks. Indie fogs was/is one of my favorite cheapie mods for our cars....
#17
Driving home Monday night my low beams pulsed once and then completely shut off. After that my whole lighting system went haywire. The fogs (wired up independently) would only turn on if set to parking lights and the high beams were switched to on. The highbeams would only work if you pulled the switch back using the "flash" mode. Low beams did not function at all. Checked the fuses and the bulbs and everything looked good. So I had no choice but to drop it off at the dealership.
After a day of going through wires and researching they said the headlight harness was fried because it is extremely sensitive to current changes and snipping the wire to the Fogs caused it to overload and fry. Worst part is they can't just order the harness, or so they say. HofA said they'd have to like take a picture and make diagrams so they could make a new one or they'd have to replace the entire wiring system in the dash.
Right now they're claiming no warranty since they say the independent fog light mod is what caused it, though I call BS since I've had the modification done over 2 years ago with absolutely no problems. The shop guy said they found a harness from the 01-05 Civics that looks exactly the same and they're gonna try that tomorrow morning. ~$400 if it's not warranted.
I'll update this post when all is said and done, if it's truly a problem with the independent fogs I'd assume others would have noticed it by now, but if it is it may be something some of you with the mod might want to reverse before you have the same problem.
After a day of going through wires and researching they said the headlight harness was fried because it is extremely sensitive to current changes and snipping the wire to the Fogs caused it to overload and fry. Worst part is they can't just order the harness, or so they say. HofA said they'd have to like take a picture and make diagrams so they could make a new one or they'd have to replace the entire wiring system in the dash.
Right now they're claiming no warranty since they say the independent fog light mod is what caused it, though I call BS since I've had the modification done over 2 years ago with absolutely no problems. The shop guy said they found a harness from the 01-05 Civics that looks exactly the same and they're gonna try that tomorrow morning. ~$400 if it's not warranted.
I'll update this post when all is said and done, if it's truly a problem with the independent fogs I'd assume others would have noticed it by now, but if it is it may be something some of you with the mod might want to reverse before you have the same problem.
Sorry, but you have no warranty. You wired it, not Honda or the dealer.
#18
Yeah we already covered it that it wasn't under warranty. The only time it was in question was before they knew exactly what caused it. I had no problem paying and owning up to my mistake. Just letting other people know about it before it happens to them.
#19
I would have a hard time driving mine without the fogs, the headlights just don't cut it on their own. Go for it man, you know its worth it. And you can get the add-a fuse from Autozone for like three bucks. Indie fogs was/is one of my favorite cheapie mods for our cars....