'99 Fog Light Re-wire
Included here are two different methods for getting the Mazda factory foglights to work independently
of the headlights. Both of these mods were performed on 10th Anniversary Editions that have the combo
fog light/cruise control switch to the left of the steering column (see picture below).
My version of the modification only requires a modification under the hood at the relay. This version will
allow the fog lights to operate anytime the parking lights are on, but they will shut off when the brights
are used. Also, the indicator on the switch will not work unless the headlights are on.
The second version of the modification was supplied by Don Luczkowski. His version is much more complete
but requires altering the wiring at the switch as well. Don's version will allow the fog lights to be completely
independent of the headlights (high or low beam), and the indicator always lights when the fog lights are on. As
far as I know, this version will only work with those with the combo switch.
Anyway, try these out and send me any comments that you may have. Oh, and you do this modification at your
own risk. I, nor anyone else represented on these pages claims to be a mechanic or otherwise. So please don't
call me if you decide to run your 800gigawatt foglights with either of these methods (aka non-factory).
First, this is a picture of the combo switch that keeps being mentioned.
Find the fog light relay under the hood. It is located right behind the left headlight.
Here is a closer view. Remove the relay from the support to make things easier.
Now that you have the relay accessible. Remove the connector. Find the red/yellow wire. You need to disconnect
this wire from the connector. You can either cut it a couple of inches from the connector, or remove the terminal from
within the connector. Once the red/yellow wire is disconnected (and taped up/put away) you need to connect a new wire
to where the red/yellow wire used to be in the connector.
Once the new wire is connected to the relay, run the other end of it to the left front parking
light bulb. Find the wire that supplies +12V when the parking lights are on (mine was red). You will splice the new
wire into this wire (leaving it still connected to the parking light). Once this is done, tape both ends of the new wire
and try out the lights.
Another '99 Fog Light Re-wire from Don Luczkowski
This version is for those with the combo switch. Performing this mod will
allow the fog lites to come on w/ the parking lites. Also, they will not
shut off when the high beams are turned on.
1. Remove steering column lower trim cover.
2. Remove dimmer switch for dash lites, squeeze tabs on either side of switch.
3. Remove cruise/fog lite switch, same procedure, squeeze tabs, if you have
small hands you can actually get at it.
4. Disconnect connector at fog switch. You need to remove 2 wires from the
connector, you can either cut them, or what I did was removed them from the
connector and taped them back into the harness, making the mod reversible.
5. With a small screwdriver (jewelers' screwdriver) I was able to release the
tab and pull out the red/green wire and the red wire. Tape up the wire and
terminal to prvent inadvertant arc welding behind the dash.
6. I found some connectors that fit into the connector shell at an electronic
surplus store.
7. The location where the red/green wire was needs to go to ground.
8. The location where the red wire was is connected to the red/black wire of the
dash dimmer switch connector. I used about a foot of wire so that either switch
could be pulled out int the future for servicing.
9. This completes the dash switch mod. I would not put the switch back yet until I
finish with the next step and check the operation.
10. Moving to under the hood, locate the fog lite relay (see picture above). It is right next to the air
intake. I unbolted it from the support to make it easier to change the wire.
11. Unplug the connector from the relay and locate the red/yellow wire and
disconnect either by cutting the wire a couple of inches from the connector, or
the connector terminal itself can be removed with patience and a jewelers'
screwdriver. The wire and terminal, once again, should be taped up.
12. The spot where the red/yellow wire was removed from needs to go to ground. I
found a "tongue" terminal that fit into the connector and ran a couple of feet
of wire to a ground screw by the ECM diagnostic connector. The factory already
had one wire there, I just added another wire with a ring lug.
13. This completes the modification. To check operation, turn on the parking lites and
activate the fog lite switch. Verify "green" indicator lites as well as the fog
lites work themselves.
-Don Luczkowski
