ho-hum factory fog lights...

gn85 · 01-29-2006, 05:28 AM

Hey y'all,

While at the boneyard the other day I found a '95 SC2 (round fog lights) for my Saturn. Brought 'em home, cleaned 'em up and put new OEM bulbs in.

Well, I already had fog lights in there that I had from my old truck. They aren't round, but do fit in that hole and bright as heck (100 watt bulbs). Well, today it was real nice out so I decided to run out there and put the stockers in. HO HUM! Weak. I like the way they look and are angled for that hole, but just not very impressive. More like daytime running lights.

Before I go throwing my 100 watters back in, do y'all think it'd be worth it to try Silverstar bulbs in there?? I have Silverstar headlights in the Saturn and Buick and absolutely LOVE 'EM!!

BTW, what would the wattage be of the OEM bulbs?

bldegle2 · 01-29-2006, 02:32 PM

oem, prolly 35 to 55 watt, i would guess 35 watt.

if you put 100 watters in the factory units, two things happen.

first thing, the lights generate so much more heat they will actually start melting the light housing as it is made out of plastic. i got around this by getting some 4" round GLASS units, adapted them to the factory brackets, but that isn't all you have to do (see below)

second thing, if you are wired to your present harness, ie, the fogs come on with the headlights or are activated by factory switches, you CAN NOT use the stock wiring, it will burn up, just too much draw......

solution assuming you want 100w units in there (i love the way the road gets lit w the 100w's), get the 4" round glass, i got them at Pep Boys, i think the brand was APC,

then, install a new relay and another switch and wire the new fogs separately, that way you save the factory wiring from melting, and you can pop the fogs on when needed.

i hotglued the new lighted switch down by my right knee on the side of the front center console, out of the way and the wires dissappear quickly without any holes having to be drilled.

after doing this, i now use those h3 bulbs, and they come in all sorts of flavors and wattages so you can dail the light color and instensity to your wants....

baldy

gn85 · 01-29-2006, 03:03 PM

Thanks for the advice.

I wasn't going to put 100 watts in the factory housings. I have 100 watts in glass fog lights. Only prob is they are not round. Also, I never had fog lights to begin with. So no factory wiring used. I have a relay with a switch, activated by the parking lights. So that's, taken care of.

I was just wondering if I should try Silverstars before I abandon the factory pieces.

Where did you get your round fog lights?? Price?? Interesting that you used the factory brackets. I was thinking of doing that.

bldegle2 · 01-30-2006, 12:36 AM

reread my answer,

Pep Boys, it was the APC brand, about $35 as I remember......they were the ones with the slightly blue halo look witht he lights off.........

I had to play a bit to make a custom holder for the glass ones to work with the stock bracket, but once I got that dialed, they fit perfect and were still adjustable, dailed in nicely now......

baldy

gn85 · 01-30-2006, 04:02 AM

Thanks. Think I might try that.