2012-06-09 - Ok, there are a lot of confusing threads out there about how to do this, but none seemed "complete" or updated for the 11/12 models. From what I have noticed, all 2008-2012 models are all using the same colored wires (be sure to double check everything before using this write-up as a bible). For all intents and purposes, what you are about to read is a broken down DIY for independent fog lamps. It is simple as crap to do, once you understand it all.
Disclaimer: All pictures are for illustrative purposes only. Use proper connectors & insulators, or solder & insulators for best results. All actions performed are solely responsible to YOU. If cutting wires in your car scares you, you should not try this mod without help, or at all. Then again, if cutting wires in your car scares you, you might as well forget about modding all together, as it is no worse then installing any other major part incorrectly. Either way you have a 35k+ pile of junk if you break it.
Prerequisites:
1) Disconnect (-) battery terminal
2) Removal of the following panels is required to complete the following mod:
- Side Panel near fuse box (door side)
- Front Knee guard panel (Remove (2) 10mm screws on door side; tug at rest of panel to pop it off).
- Black Metal Cross Member crossing over steering apparatus (Remove (2) 10mm screws).
- Lower half of Steering Column Cover (one Philips Screw, rest pops apart).
Prologue: You are dealing with (2) different concepts. The
first concept we will call the "switch to relay jumper". The purpose of this series is to allow manual on/off control of the fogs
via the stalk switch, by bypassing the BIU (Body Integrated Unit). The BIU is what forbids the fogs to be on interdependently. The
second concept is supplying an independent 12v power source to the correct wire on the back of the relay. This will charge the relay, faking the signal that has been bypassed by avoiding the BIU.
In addition, they also work WITH the DRL's.
Stage 1 - The Switch-to-Relay Jumper
What to do:
1) Locate the harness going straight up into a white box at the base of the stalk.
2) Remove factory tape and expose all wires in the harness.
Image Link
(image by others)
3) Locate the Violet/Yellow (VY) wire in the harness. Clip it with snips as far away from the harness as possible. Tape or insulate the white plug side of the VY wire; effectively stubbing it off. Add your connector of choice to the other side of cut wire (it runs along the relay harness away from the white plug).
4) Use a fresh piece of wire to connect to your connector of choice. This wire can be run down the steering column, and behind all the other wrapped wire clusters behind the dash. The end of this wire should hang freely near the relay panel.
5) Remove factory tape and expose all wires in the harness behind the relay panel.
Image Link
(image by others)
6) On the back of the relay panel, locate the VY wire in the relay harness. Clip it with snips as far away from the harness as possible. Tape or insulate the wire harness side of the VY wire; effectively stubbing it off. Add your connector of choice to the other side of cut wire. Connect your newly ran wire from the steering column to this connector (relay panel side).
Stage 2 - Charge the Relay
What to do:
1) Before doing anything else, you must decide which 12v source suites your needs. For my intentions, I wanted to use ANY 12v ACC (accessory) power source. This way, as long as the power to the car is on beyond the accessory marker when turning the key, I would have power to energize the relay. I decided to go with a fuse tap for my 12v source (
here is what they look like).
2)
DO NOT PLUG THE FUSE TAP INTO THE FUSE BOX YET. Connect a fresh piece of wire to the fuse tap. Route wire so that it goes in between the fuse box and the relay panel, ending in the fog relay area.
3) On the back of the relay panel, locate the Black/Green (BG) wire in the relay harness. Clip it with snips as far away from the harness as possible. Tape or insulate the wire harness side of the BG wire; effectively stubbing it off. Add your connector of choice to the other side of cut wire. Connect your newly ran wire from the fuse tap to this connector (relay panel side).
Image Link
(image by others)
4) Add 10 amp fuses to fuse holder and plug it into the slot in the fuse box.
Here is mine (sorry for the fuzz)
Image Link
5) Reconnect battery. Test.