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Driving Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things

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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 01:28 PM
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Default Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things

Driving home last night with the headlights on, switched on the fog lights and didn't see any extra light out ahead of me. Tried the switch a couple more times with the same result. Then I noticed that each time I switched on the fog lights, the high beam indicator would glow faintly. When I got home I turned off the AC and the fog lights came on much brighter than with the AC off but not as bright as they used to be. With the headlights off (just parking lights on), if I turn on the fog lights, the left headlight glows faintly. The right headlight stays dark. I have stock wattage bulbs in the fog lights and Silverstars in the headlights. Has anybody had a similar problem and where should I start looking?


[Modified by es, 1:33 PM 8/23/2003]


[Modified by es, 1:36 PM 8/23/2003]
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 01:55 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (es)

Definetely a ghost in the machine.....Don't know what to say....short maybe....stop by a church and get an exhorcism for the car. :reddevil
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 02:20 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (es)

Did you replace the stock fog light bulbs with the uprated 55 watt bulbs?

On my '88 coupe the foglights are grounded through the highbeam filament in the headlights. You need to seperate the ground wire and ground each light individually for the upgrade to be effective.

What I think your dash was trying to tell you, is that your highbeam filament is out on one headlight. Not sure though but worth a shot.
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 04:34 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (JCAIRE2)

:iagree: Do a search on this topic. It has been discussed before and others have had the same problem. If memory serves the advice to ground each light individually is the answer. I did the 50watt upgrade (tech tips) on mine and grounded each light at that time and I've had excellent results! :seeya
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 09:21 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (MtlSphere)

I didn't upgrade the foglights. The bulbs are stock. Would the headlight upgrade to Silverstars have the same effect? Actually, I did the headlights almost a year ago and everything has been working normally until just last night.
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 09:28 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (es)

Hmm i have 885s and the upgraded fuse but my fogs are grounded to the high beams.... :banghead: :banghead: Can anybody help me out by telling me where the ground for the fog lights is and a good body point to ground it to?
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 10:13 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (Wheelman)

Hmm i have 885s and the upgraded fuse but my fogs are grounded to the high beams.... :banghead: :banghead: Can anybody help me out by telling me where the ground for the fog lights is and a good body point to ground it to?
You have to ground the highbeams and the fog lights, each one individually. I havne't done this yet, so I can't help.
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 11:32 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (JCAIRE2)

Can anybody tell me why this would happen without my having made any changes to the wiring, bulbs, etc.?
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 02:37 AM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (es)

Did you check to see if the high beams work yet?
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 03:32 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (JCAIRE2)

The high beams work fine no matter if the foglights are switched on or off.
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 07:56 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (es)

The high beams work fine no matter if the foglights are switched on or off.
Well that takes care of my theory, hope someone else with more knowledge can help you figure this one out.
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 11:43 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (JCAIRE2)

Did you replace the stock fog light bulbs with the uprated 55 watt bulbs?

On my '88 coupe the foglights are grounded through the highbeam filament in the headlights. You need to seperate the ground wire and ground each light individually for the upgrade to be effective.

What I think your dash was trying to tell you, is that your highbeam filament is out on one headlight. Not sure though but worth a shot.
I concur... need a new ground..
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 09:08 PM
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Default Re: Fog Lights on '88 Suddenly Doing Strange Things (Shark ssn591)

I'll pick up an official Great State of Florida Ground Hunting License and go on an expedition this weekend. If anyone has tips on the best place to start looking, I could use all the help I can get.
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