General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

fog lights on

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 16, 2008 | 03:03 PM
  #1  
hullkinghitman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default fog lights on

I have seen some pics of firebirds with the fog lights on and the headlights down.
I love the look and want it for mine, except my fog lights don't come on until the lights pop up.
Is there an easy fix? do I need to wire it to a remote switch? looking for the eastiest and nicest look.
Reply
Old May 16, 2008 | 03:10 PM
  #2  
F-117HWK's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

On mine you just turn the headlight switch to P and the headlights stay down, then just flip on the fogs. If that doesnt work turn the headlights fully on, then turn on fogs, then shut the headlights by switching back to P. Other than that I don't know, hopefully that works!
Reply
Old May 17, 2008 | 09:47 AM
  #3  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Yea - see icon at left. Fog Lights on and switch to park.

If this doesn't work for you, it may be a bad headlight switch. (There is an internal connection in the switch that links the park mode with the headlight mode and gives power to the fog lights.) ...But I can't imagine that would be a common issue. You may try wiggling the headlight selector before replacing the unit. If the wiggle works - that could tip you to a worn switch.
Reply
Old May 17, 2008 | 01:59 PM
  #4  
hullkinghitman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default

I tried it soon as I turn it over to park, they pop up.
I have only owned the car for 3 summers, and I think it may have been hit at one point. Could the body shop have crossed something?
I hate wiring!
I will keep you posted.
Reply
Old May 18, 2008 | 05:47 PM
  #5  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

You don't hate wiring! - You hate electrical. Your wiring is probably fine...

OK - The switch and a Headlamp Opening Control Module both work together to orchestrate all of this.

If you turn to "HEAD" and then back to "PARK," the doors will stay open but the lights will be off. (This is normal.) So, make sure you are only switching directly from "OFF" to "PARK" and not turning the switch any further. (The doors should stay shut with this action.)

If that doesn't work and the doors still open at "PARK:"
- Do your Fog Lights come on when you turn to "PARK," then?
- Do the headlights turn on when the doors come up in "PARK" mode?
Reply
Old May 18, 2008 | 08:18 PM
  #6  
hullkinghitman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default

The headlights pop up at park and stay off, the fog lights do come on though. I went and tried to turn them as slow to park so I didn't over shoot the mark.
Still no luck.
Reply
Old May 19, 2008 | 07:03 AM
  #7  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

It sounds like the headlight switch is good, then. (If Park and Head were shorted to each other, I'd expect the headlights to also come on.)

The problem may be in the Headlight Door Opening Module, which is a flat square box in the engine compartment. Replacing that may be an expensive endeavor, so you may want to search some more threads here and look for that part. (Or maybe get one used and see if it gives you the action you want.)
Reply
Old May 19, 2008 | 12:18 PM
  #8  
hullkinghitman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the info.
I don't do this very often but YOU are right.... I hate ELECTRICAL!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 19, 2008 | 01:43 PM
  #9  
NHRAMAN's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,807
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
Default

I drive mostly with fogs/no lights..and they are down...
Reply
Old May 20, 2008 | 01:04 AM
  #10  
PonchoBob's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Punta Gorda,FL
Default

If the headlights are popping up when the switch is turned to the "P" position-could that mean that the gears in both motors are bad? When the gear in one side went bad on my 95 T/A, that's what happened. Headlight would pop up even if the swith was just turned to the parking lights.
Reply
Old May 20, 2008 | 06:53 AM
  #11  
Sneakyws6's Avatar
On the tree
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
Default

Is this car a Canadian model by chance?
Reply
Old May 20, 2008 | 08:46 PM
  #12  
hullkinghitman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default

I just had the vin broke down and yes it is Canadian.
Does this make a huge difference?
Reply
Old May 20, 2008 | 11:48 PM
  #13  
BubaGumpShrimp's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 0
From: edison, nj
Default

Originally Posted by PonchoBob
If the headlights are popping up when the switch is turned to the "P" position-could that mean that the gears in both motors are bad? When the gear in one side went bad on my 95 T/A, that's what happened. Headlight would pop up even if the swith was just turned to the parking lights.
thats exactly his problem
Reply
Old May 21, 2008 | 12:15 AM
  #14  
needadvice's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by hullkinghitman
I just had the vin broke down and yes it is Canadian.
Does this make a huge difference?
Canadian has nothing to do with anything.

It is 100% normal for the fog lights to come on with the headlights down.

The gears in these headlight motors strip and then the you will have all kinds of problems.

Your problem is: the gear, or both gears are just starting to strip. The gear is now turning that tiny bit extra, even though you are not hearing grinding or having any of the other symptoms of a stripped gear.

****This is the problem unless of course you do have some kind of short somewhere****
Reply
Old May 21, 2008 | 11:32 AM
  #15  
hullkinghitman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default

I do get the sound like the motor is still turning after it closes all the way.
Money is tight at the moment with premium being 4.14 a gallon so should I try the flipping the gear trick that is on the stick post?
Reply
Old May 21, 2008 | 05:09 PM
  #16  
needadvice's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by hullkinghitman
I do get the sound like the motor is still turning after it closes all the way.
Money is tight at the moment with premium being 4.14 a gallon so should I try the flipping the gear trick that is on the stick post?
Oh, well if its making the noise, its definitely the gear starting to strip that causing the problem.

Yes, I've done it twice, it takes about 30 minutes to do it. I did it once after owning my car for just two years and it lasted about 2 more years. The second time I did it was about 5 years ago and its still holding up fine.

Sometimes it doesn't work too. Just make sure you ONLY turn the gear 180*, NO MORE. If you go too far you will allow the metal gear to start touching the bqad stripped area on the plastic gear and it won't last long. If you do it right, its basically good as new.

If you don't have it already, scroll almost all the way to the bottom for directions:
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/index.htm
Reply
Old May 22, 2008 | 07:03 AM
  #17  
Sneakyws6's Avatar
On the tree
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
Default

Yes Canadian will make a diffence as well. The Canadian model cars had a different DRL module than the US Fbody's.

On the Canadian cars when you put the lights on "Park" mode it still made the lights come up.

Try the gear trick, but I personally dont think that is the issue though.
Reply
Old May 22, 2008 | 09:23 AM
  #18  
needadvice's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Sneakyws6
Yes Canadian will make a diffence as well. The Canadian model cars had a different DRL module than the US Fbody's.

On the Canadian cars when you put the lights on "Park" mode it still made the lights come up.
Not true. Mine was made in Canada, 1998 WS6 T/A. My lights do not come up in "P", they only come up when I turn it all the way to the right, with two new motors.

Try the gear trick, but I personally dont think that is the issue though.
On my Canadian made F-Body, the gear stripping did exactly that, made it pop up when "P" was selected.

The gear stripping has nothing do with why all these wierd symptoms start. Its because the headlight can now move a matter of a few millimeters further and the resistors, that stop the motor from running when the stoppers bang into the stops, go nuts and don't know what to do, so all the wierdness starts.

The drivers side gear that I flipped over 5 years ago is still holding up fine but its still going a tad bit further than its supposed to, so right now my lights pop up when I select "P", both of them and only the drivers side is bad.

Last edited by needadvice; May 22, 2008 at 10:49 AM.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:12 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE