Relays are an important component in wiring fog or driving lights with a 30-60A draw. Basically, the relay protects the switch from getting hot and creating unwanted resistance. The low current through the switch triggers the relay to make a higher current connection to the heavy load of the fog lights.

Where is the fog light relay?

The most common location of the fog light relay is in the underhood fuse and relay box. The underhood fuse/relay box can be mounted in any of several different locations under the hood. It can be mounted on either the driver or passenger side, and either the front or rear, of the engine compartment.

What is a 12 volt relay?

An electrical relay is a type of heavy-duty, remote-control switch able to handle high-current accessories, yet capable of being actuated by substantially less current. Relays install between the power source and the electrical accessory requiring on/off power.

What fuse should I use for fog lights?

The rule of thumb is this: the fuse ought to be rated near 80% of the amperage of the wire. This will ensure that you blow the fuse before you burn the wire. In my case, 80% of 11.8A is 9.44A so a 10-amp inline fuse is perfect. I will need several colors of 14-gauge wire: black, green, white, and red.

Why wont my fog lights turn on?

Fog lights do not turn on One of the first symptoms that is commonly associated with a bad or failing fog light switch are fog lights that do not turn on. A broken or failing fog light switch will leave the fog lights inoperable, even if the bulbs are fine.

Why do you need a relay for lights?

Using a relay keeps the high current portion of the circuit away from the switch and pulls the current directly from the battery to your KCs. The relay also allows you to tie your lights into a secondary 12-volt circuit such as your high/low beams or ignition.

How much does it cost to add fog lights?

On average, installing new fog lights with a professional mechanic will cost anywhere from $150 to as much as $450. On a forum thread at PILOTEERS.org, forum members indicated that fog light installation could cost around $180 to $255.

What is a bad relay in a car?

If your starter relay has gone bad, the electrical signal will never make it from the battery to the starter motor. As a result, your engine wont turn over - no matter how many times you turn the key. A faulty relay often produces an audible clicking sound when you turn your car.

How can I tell if a relay is bad?

0:572:19Easiest Way to Check a Relay - YouTubeYouTube

Why do my fog lights turn on and off?

1. Fog lights do not turn on. For vehicles that do not utilize automatic fog lights, the fog light switch is the switch that is responsible for turning the fog lights on and off. It operates the same as any other electrical switch, and can break or have internal failures that will render them inoperable.

How do I turn on my fog lights?

Fog lights are usually operated by a separate switch from the main light controls. Some cars use buttons to activate them - one for the rear, one for the front (where front fog lights are fitted) - while others feature a collar on the light stalk that you turn back and forth to turn them on.

Do you need to run a relay with LED lights?

A relay is an electrical switch that lets a low current circuit control a high current circuit such as a large LED light bar. If you are using a light pod that does not have a very large amp draw, you may not need a relay switch, but if you are using a larger LED light bar, they are a must have.