Fog Light Installation
- Thread starter oldertech
- Start date
AndrewGS
Ultimo Hombre
That's BS man. It's a simple flash. Takes 30 minutes for the whole process. Well, depending on TIS HelpDesk wait time.
Tapatalking on my iPhone 6.
Syrup
Member
I was charged for a full hour to flash it (probably the minimum). The unfortunate part was that I had them also flash a different power steering algorithm at the same time which they charged an additional hour for. So much for being efficient and multitasking.
-Syrup
Last edited:
Syrup
Member
It's posted somewhere in the middle of this thread. I made the mistake of not finding it when I first tried the install.
-Syrup
Prospector
New member
HI-C
New member
DISCLAIMER: First off, as they say... I am not responsible for any damage cause to your vehicle. If you aren't comfortable getting your hands dirty with plastic removal and electric wiring, please take it to the dealer or someone you trust to work on your vehicle. Now, with that said...
Instead of having the dealership install the foglights I wanted, I took on the task myself. I wanted to write up a few things that may help others figure it all out. It seems, the instructions that are sent with the fog light kit are a bit vague, to say the least. If you haven't seen GM instruction sheets lately, they are written for about anyone in the world using illustrations with very few words.
There is a write-up on the Chevy Cruze forums that is pretty detailed, for that car. And there are similarities. I'm going to try to show and mention a few things that I did for the Sonic.
First, I got a new set of ramps for my car so I don't have to fuss with jacks and stands. I found these at Advance Auto. Rhino Ramps (Part No.*11903) . I had had metal ramps in the past but they would slide around. These ramps have a big rubber foot that plants them down as the car first rolls on and holds them in place. Also, the tool set from Harbor Freight (Item 67021) helps with the plastic buttons that need to be removed. The ramps will be used on oil changes in the future.
To do this job, basically, the front facia of the car has to be removed to access everything. The instructions start you off with the dashboard switch, replacing the existing one with the new fog-enabled version.
Then it points to many plastic buttons and T20 screws on top that need to be removed. That's where the tool from Harbor Freight worked perfectly to lift the plastic buttons buttons.
The belly pan is disconnected and the panel in front of the belly pan is taken off. Work your way around on the sides and make sure you get every T20 screw.
It's kind of daunting to rip the face of your new car off, but I did it. That was one of the scariest parts. It's a moment of blind faith to give each side a tug forward. But take your time and be careful as you do this. You don't want to nick the paint of your new baby! I had a friend who dropped by help me with this part. Make sure you disconnect the sensor in the front of the grille before you get too far from the car!
And now, a face that only a new Sonic owner could love. A faceless Sonic. It was really cool to be able to check out the intercooler of the 1.4 first-hand.
The headlights are removed with 4 screws. The radiator overflow is unbolted and moved back a bit. The wiring was a bit confusing. The illustration was kind of scary, but I found the right spot for the tiny wire to be inserted. The new loom is laid in according to the illustration. Wire ties are provided to keep everything in place.
One wire goes to a chassis ground. When I had that removed, I added dielectric grease to ward off corrosion on the spades in the future. I do this on my 50 year-old-car, why not this one! There was another ground point on the other side of the car that got the same treatment. Computerized cars like good grounds.
Continue on with the illustrative instructions. The blanking plates in the facia are really hard to get out. The press-fit plastic holders are made to hold. You can fiddle with them and try to save the piece by delicately prying from the back if you are brave enough.
The new lights go in pretty easily. It's already looking cooler. The facia goes on pretty straight forward. Do it slow and steady to avoid hurting any of the finish. The real letdown of the project is that after you press the new button for fogs when you are finished, you'll get no light. The car has to go back to the dealer to have the computer reflashed. Be sure to include your instructions when you do that (as I didn't and had to make an extra trip.) On that sheet is a code that the dealer has to relate to GM and they, in turn, send a new program for your vehicle. It's a complicated process but when it's all done, you have lights!!!!
If anyone else has anything to add to this, please do. I didn't take pictures of every step, but I tried to give you a taste of what you are getting in to. It was a fun way to get to know workings of the car better. Special thx to AndrewGS who gave me some tips throughout the process!!! :banana:
Hey I'm installing my fog lights right now but I can't find the spot where you but the power wire in....
HI-C
New member
I did mine myself as well, took me 6 hrs! My dealer didnt get me any install dirrections though. Took me almost 2 hours just to find where to plug the wire into.
Hey could you tell me where the wire goes for the fog lights?
HI-C
New member
Syrup
Member
HI-C
New member
mcanderson0
Member
Old thread, but still relevant for many.
I bought an eBay kit 2012 2014 Chevy Sonic Fog Lights Pair Lamps with Bulb Harness Switch Bezels 4251 | eBay
and it came with the correct dash switch, but included three wiring harnesses:
1) The harness with connectors on each end used to connect the two fog lights, but also has a red and black wire (as shown in post #209 directions)
2) A 5 pin relay & fuse with wires connected
3) a circuit chip with heat shrink tubing around it that has four wires coming out: yellow, black, blue, brown
I obv need to use the first harness, but the second and third aren't mentioned in the install manual. Since I plan to install like OP, thru the stock dash switch, and thru the fuse box, do I need harness #2 & #3?
I bought an eBay kit 2012 2014 Chevy Sonic Fog Lights Pair Lamps with Bulb Harness Switch Bezels 4251 | eBay
and it came with the correct dash switch, but included three wiring harnesses:
1) The harness with connectors on each end used to connect the two fog lights, but also has a red and black wire (as shown in post #209 directions)
2) A 5 pin relay & fuse with wires connected
3) a circuit chip with heat shrink tubing around it that has four wires coming out: yellow, black, blue, brown
I obv need to use the first harness, but the second and third aren't mentioned in the install manual. Since I plan to install like OP, thru the stock dash switch, and thru the fuse box, do I need harness #2 & #3?
Attachments
-
image.jpg
Last edited:
mcanderson0
Member
From the back of the new dash switch, I checked which wires are plugged into the new pins. Purple/greenstripe and brown/yellowstripe. Those two wires terminate to the under hood fuse box. On the left connector, I believe they connect to a relay labeled P/T (pulling/towing?). Out of that relay goes a white wire. Next, in the right side connector, I see a white wire on the other side of the fuse that we plug the red foglight power wire into. So I think OP is plugging into a the fog light fuse, which is on the P/T relay circuit.
Stew
Sedans Rule!
I looked a little closer at the kit and it doesn't say it's a GM kit and there is no mention of the code for the dealer to update the BCM programming. If that's the case then really what it is is a universal fog light kit that LOOKS like an OEM kit, which also means they would work without a trip to the dealer.
I would message the seller to get some clarification on that but it looks decent enough, as far as you can tell going off the pictures. I don't have first hand experience with that particular kit.
Edit: Yeah that can't be a GM kit, it's too inexpensive. For the genuine item look for GM part number 95950429 which is around $220.
I would message the seller to get some clarification on that but it looks decent enough, as far as you can tell going off the pictures. I don't have first hand experience with that particular kit.
Edit: Yeah that can't be a GM kit, it's too inexpensive. For the genuine item look for GM part number 95950429 which is around $220.
Last edited: