Help needed for Echo JDM fog light installation

[Crashcot]

Hello, all.

I decided that I would need some fog lamps on my 2003 Echo sedan.

After asking the dealership what was involved in stock lamps I decided that I didn't want to purchase the wiring harnesses, computer, and steering column as well.

I managed to find a JDM kit. Everything I need except installation instructions. What I'm having trouble with is the wiring harness it came with. The connectors to the bulbs are easy, that segment I've figured out. It's the rest of it that's got me scratching my head.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[denman]

Originally Posted by Crashcot

Hello, all.

I decided that I would need some fog lamps on my 2003 Echo sedan.

After asking the dealership what was involved in stock lamps I decided that I didn't want to purchase the wiring harnesses, computer, and steering column as well.

I managed to find a JDM kit. Everything I need except installation instructions. What I'm having trouble with is the wiring harness it came with. The connectors to the bulbs are easy, that segment I've figured out. It's the rest of it that's got me scratching my head.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Routing of wires is relatively easy to work out, ...just ensure you have a relay to carry the major current and have just the relay signal circuit going thru the switch. I found a big soft grommet in the firewall above the clutch pedal with enough room to poke several wires thru. I usually leave the relay live and simply ground the signal at the switch, but it's optional as long as every live wire is run thru a fuse.

[Cyberdud]

Your car is prewired for foglights. I have a 2003 and installed the lights like you have. Just throw away the wire harness with the kit. The right side wire is somewhere around the window washer bottle and the left side is down low on the fender well. It may take a little while to locate them but they are there. I bought the factory column switch from Toyota-can not remember price, but it was reasonable. Makes for a very easy installation. Good luck.

[Crashcot]

Originally Posted by Cyberdud

Your car is prewired for foglights. I have a 2003 and installed the lights like you have. Just throw away the wire harness with the kit. The right side wire is somewhere around the window washer bottle and the left side is down low on the fender well. It may take a little while to locate them but they are there. I bought the factory column switch from Toyota-can not remember price, but it was reasonable. Makes for a very easy installation. Good luck.

Thank you very much for the info.

For the benefit of others trying the same thing:

With the car on a lift you can reach up through the access port in the bottom of the fascia on either side straight up and get the fog lamp bulb connectors--they're wound and taped to the headlight wires. Bulbs are connected with some fighting as there doesn't seem to be any room between the bulb housing and the part of the fascia foglamp compartment. (Must be a JDM difference from North American fascias.)

Need a switch--Toyota wants $206--can't find one at the wreckers--ordered one from Rock Auto for $124. Swapped out the stock switch very easily. Lights don't work.

Need a relay--Toyota wants $118--will look for one at the wreckers. If I can believe Rock Auto's application of their part #1R1696 for the foglamp relay this is apparently an often used relay in Toyotas (Toyota P/N 90987-02022). We'll see if I can find one. Will write with results when obtained.

[thebarber]

forest city surplus ftw!

[Crashcot]

Originally Posted by thebarber

forest city surplus ftw!

Tried that, didn't work.

Went to wreckers and obtained relay--wrong one though.

Went to the dealership for the part number and they gave me a number for an updated relay for fog lamps--seems they're always upgrading--gave me a schematic for exactly where it goes too--wo-hoo!

Went back to the wreckers. Bugger!--can't get to it. It's located on right side of the fuse panel and the access door is only large enough to get at the face of the panel. Tried reaching under the dash but very difficult to do when car bodies are resting on the ground and they're placed so close you can't open the doors all the way. I concur #%&* the wreckers.

Went back to online shopping. Accidentally found a TSB on the relay number the dealership gave me. Apparently a problem with the A/C compressor clutch relay is causing problems with A/C not working across all Toyota's models the fix is to upgrade the relay. My A/C didn't work as good as it should have the past two summers--it should have as a pothole mishap had the driver front wheel drop into it and land the frame of the car on the asphalt and one of the things replaced was the A/C condensor. Perhaps the A/C problem I'm having is due to the relay? Anyway the upgraded relay I need for the fog lamps is the factory relay for the A/C--cha-ching! Found and removed this very easily from the panel under the hood. Bugger, can't find where the slot is. I have the diagram and I can reach under the dash panel and feel the side of the fuse panel but can't get this thing in.

Gave up and went to the dealership to have them put it in. Took them quite a while--they had to find the resident electric guy as nobody has ever had to deal with fog lamps on any vehicle there before. Awesome, they did me a solid and plunked it in at no charge!--wasn't expecting that.

Turn the switch on and they don't work. Apparently they will only come on when the headlights are on. I was hoping I could dumb down the lights to daytime running lights and turn on the fogs for those zero visability days, at least that's what I thought the purpose of foglamps were so you could see the road not the fog. Oh well, I will content myself with the fact that they work. Am dumbing down my headlights though to standard bulbs this seems a workable solution. Should anyone have any better ideas on this please let me know.

[Pointnino]

I'm about to do an install of fog lights too. Don't even have them yet, but was thinking of doing the OEM ones so they match. They're really pretty. I saw them online. If I can find them for MUCH cheaper that I saw them, I'll go that route. I'll let you know if I come up with any ideas, because I'm going to attempt to have them turn on independently from the headlights too. May have to wire them cowboy style. I'll keep searching and learning, then get back if I can.