Fog/driving light replacement

[windbiscuit]

Hey kids!

My 10 year old baby finally had a problem (that wasn't window regulator related, that is!). One of the front driving/fog light bulbs went out. Strangely, these are the only lights in the front of the car that cannot be easily accessed from the outside. It looks like you have to remove the front cladding to pull this off. Not having what I need at the moment to do this, I tried the local mechanic. He told me that those particular lamps must be replaced by an authorized Isuzu dealer only. Can these simple, little, lights really be that hardcore? The nearest Isuzu dealership is faaaaar from my house.

Any thoughts?

[etlsport]

your mechanic must have been feeling lazy.. Factory fog/driving lights can be reached fairlt easily from the holes between the radiator and the grille.. You can also remove the grille easily with 4 10mm bolts and 3 philips head screws.

You can also grip the lamp from the front by your finger tips, twist them 1/4 turn and they pull out of the bumper easily.

The bulbs are easy to find too.. They are 921 bulbs.. but 194 bulbs will fit too

[hyperkid]

Eric is right - you can easily twist them 1/4 turn and then the whole assembly will pull out of the bumper very easy. The 921 bulbs aren't very bright you might want to consider and LED replacement that will be much better.

[toast018]

I bought ones just like this off buy.com but I cant find them on there anymore so here is a link to ones I found on ebay. :) they are bright!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1x-NEW-Bulbs-White-194-168-T10-SMD-SMT-5-LED-Light-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c57fd6756QQitemZ19045 4785878QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries
pics to come if you want.

[RickOKC]

How funny ... VX Kat walked me through removing these lenses just a few days ago! Like the others have said, 1/4 turn counter-clockwise. Hopefully yours turn easily - mine fought me. I actually had to turn the lens from the outside with one hand while using my other hand to twist it from the back. I reached my scrawny-girl-scout-twig-arm through the gap between the grille support and the headlight to get to the back part of the assembly.

http://members.cox.net/radamsokc/thegap.jpg

[deermagnet]

Yeah, I can get my skinny arms down there with no problem to turn 'em from the inside. The outside grip method has not always worked for me. Ya rarely need to do this and they get stuck after a few years.

The stock bulbs are ~4 watts. Lots of us have been using a 12v, 18 watt wedge base bulb for many years. They're much brighter and look much better. The 18w bulbs are not too hot or draw too much power for the wires.

Malibu outdoor lighting bulbs are the ones ya want from Home Depot-
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lighting-fans/outdoor-lighting/malibu/ (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lighting-fans/outdoor-lighting/malibu/clear-wedge-base-18-watt-bulb-4-pack-40674.html)

They last for years. I once made the mistake of getting the same bulbs from Sylvania at Lowes. They suck! They burned out in well under a year. I now carry the extra two Malibu's in my glove box. If I see one has burned out, it can get changed in seconds, no matter where I am. Even without the help of an Isuzu trained mechanic. :yesy:

Mark

[etlsport]

Sylvania now also makes a silverstar 921 bulb that matches their head lights perfectly.. About 8 bucks a pack

[LittleBeast]

Forget that, go big or go home:

http://www.vehicross.info/modules.php?name=Content&file=viewarticle&id=2

Very easy to do, and I love the results, especially because a few of us members here have HID bulbs inside the Micro DE's now ;)

[WormGod]

A bit pricier, but this route is ideal. I have a pair but have failed at installing them..... lazy. :|

http://www.tirerack.com/lighting/detail.jsp?ID=1003

[joshi]

Here is a much better price on ebay , but still expensive :) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HELLA-MICRO-XENON-HID-DRIVING-LIGHTS-LAMP-KIT-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c132d5fe7QQitemZ12058 0825063QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries)

[RickOKC]

Who has the VX with fog lights installed in the open slots to either side of the license plate area? That looks terrific!

I think the previous owner changed to brighter clear bulbs on my VX before I bought it. Were the original bulbs clear or amber?

[stangri]

I realize this is sort of O/T but I didn't get any help in another thread and it looks like all lighting/electric experts are right here -- can anyone provide me with the layman's instructions on how to get fog-lights switch on when the engine is on? Pretty please with the sugar on top?

Also, Rick, howcome you're missing Rule #2: Always double-tap? :)

[etlsport]

In order to make them come on with the car I would get a relay activated with the cigarette outlet. Basically wire your fog lights directly to the battery. Then cut the positive write to them and add a relay where your 85 pin comes from the power to the outlet and your 86 pin grounds to the frame. Your 30 pin should come directly from the battery and your 87 pin should go to the fog lights.

this will make the fog lights turn on anytime the keys is in the acc position.. It when the radio is on. I'm sure there are wires you can use for your 85 pin from the tod or the air conditioner than will turn them on only when the car is running but splicing wires in those systems is asking for problems

[RickOKC]

Also, Rick, howcome you're missing Rule #2: Always double-tap? :)
Sorry... double-tap is VERY important! LOL! The only reason I left it out is because I started with a smaller banner and didn't have enough room at the time (I was concentrating on the Rules that were the most "vehicle-related".) Then when the banner grew, I didn't put it back when I should have. Me dumb. :o

[Lizardmen3477]

A bit pricier, but this route is ideal. I have a pair but have failed at installing them..... lazy. :|

http://www.tirerack.com/lighting/detail.jsp?ID=1003

700+ Just for some Fog Light O.O Man I wish I had money to waste like that, lol.

[Riff Raff]

Who has the VX with fog lights installed in the open slots to either side of the license plate area? That looks terrific!

I think the previous owner changed to brighter clear bulbs on my VX before I bought it. Were the original bulbs clear or amber?

RickOKC--- The Grand Master of alternative lighting (namely LEDs) is fellow VX member "KENNY". Go to the member's list and click-on KENNY, and then at his profile click-on all threads "started by" KENNY. There are two(2) of his threads worthy of special mention entitled:

Fun With LEDs! Part II
Cool! - SpiderliteX2 LED Brake Lights Installed

BTW-- the original OEM bulbs in the VX fog lights came "clear" (standard white) from the factory.

[RickOKC]

Hey thanks, RR!

[ibmx2]

Yeah, I can get my skinny arms down there with no problem to turn 'em from the inside. The outside grip method has not always worked for me. Ya rarely need to do this and they get stuck after a few years.

The stock bulbs are ~4 watts. Lots of us have been using a 12v, 18 watt wedge base bulb for many years. They're much brighter and look much better. The 18w bulbs are not too hot or draw too much power for the wires.

Malibu outdoor lighting bulbs are the ones ya want from Home Depot-
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lighting-fans/outdoor-lighting/malibu/ (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lighting-fans/outdoor-lighting/malibu/clear-wedge-base-18-watt-bulb-4-pack-40674.html)

They last for years. I once made the mistake of getting the same bulbs from Sylvania at Lowes. They suck! They burned out in well under a year. I now carry the extra two Malibu's in my glove box. If I see one has burned out, it can get changed in seconds, no matter where I am. Even without the help of an Isuzu trained mechanic. :yesy:

Mark


great call on these bulbs
they look great !

cant beat the $4.95 price for 4

[TheGanzman]

great call on these bulbs
they look great !

cant beat the $4.95 price for 4

Another "thumbs up" on this one! 15 minutes, $5.00, and a 450% improvement - that qualifies as a "happy ending" in MY book!:smilewink

Actually, $2.50, since I've now got a "spare pair" - JUST in time for my more frequent "night driving" back from the gym too!

[Grif]

Malibu outdoor lighting bulbs are the ones ya want from Home Depot-
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lighting-fans/outdoor-lighting/malibu/ (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lighting-fans/outdoor-lighting/malibu/clear-wedge-base-18-watt-bulb-4-pack-40674.html)



A vast improvement!! Thanks for the tip.

[vt_maverick]

Thought I saw someone selling or at least recommending an LED replacement option. Since LEDs draw much less power and produce much less heat, I wonder how they would stack up vs. these wedge bulbs? Anybody got a recommendation on LEDs?

[Riff Raff]

Thought I saw someone selling or at least recommending an LED replacement option. Since LEDs draw much less power and produce much less heat, I wonder how they would stack up vs. these wedge bulbs? Anybody got a recommendation on LEDs?

VT--- See post #16.

:bgwb:

[Grif]

The Malibu bulbs i just installed from Home Despot measure .6in dia, x 1.4in long and fits EASILY in the lamp housings.

That equates to 15.24 millimeters dia x 35.56 millimeters long.

The bulb type is 194 (mainly refers to the type of connector on the base) So I go to an LED automotive light store and search to get:

http://www.autolumination.com/194.htm

Most all of those LED's will fit our standard housing. Its quite a selection, but check the dimensions listed for each bulb to be sure. If its is smaller than 15.4mm x 35.56mm then it should fit beautifully. I have a set on the way that are pushing those dimensions a bit, will report back with results. I know its not a recommendation, but its good info to know and gives you a range of types and styles to look at.

You can check here for the approximate lumens for each bulb style there in order to determine relative brightness. http://autolumination.com/specifications_194.html

Hope that helps.

[VX KAT]

Thought I saw someone selling or at least recommending an LED replacement option. Since LEDs draw much less power and produce much less heat, I wonder how they would stack up vs. these wedge bulbs? Anybody got a recommendation on LEDs?

If you're still talking about the round front marker lights, then see this thread below. I replaced mine with some 25 LED towers, nice and white, match my 6000k HID headlights really well.
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=18102&highlight=led+ebay
I can't easily find the exact 25 LED units I got on this ebay sellers ebay store, but you could contact him. Maybe he calls them something else now.
They've held up well, no problems and only $18.99 for both.
This may be them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-White-360-degrees-shine-2825-168-194-LED-bulbs-13-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b32db8c0QQitemZ14044 5071552QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

[etlsport]

If you're still talking about the round front marker lights, then see this thread below. I replaced mine with some 25 LED towers, nice and white, match my 6000k HID headlights really well.
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=18102&highlight=led+ebay
I can't easily find the exact 25 LED units I got on this ebay sellers ebay store, but you could contact him. Maybe he calls them something else now.
They've held up well, no problems and only $18.99 for both.
This may be them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-White-360-degrees-shine-2825-168-194-LED-bulbs-13-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b32db8c0QQitemZ14044 5071552QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

I have these bulbs too.. Just had one go out on me. The contact on it broke free.. But the bulbs do look wonderful

[Grif]

I have these bulbs too.. Just had one go out on me. The contact on it broke free.. But the bulbs do look wonderful

Good, the ones i ordered were the 25 LED towers as well. Very confident they will fit now. Thanks.

[vt_maverick]

VT--- See post #16.

:bgwb:


If you're still talking about the round front marker lights, then see this thread below...

Thanks guys, was reading this thread on my BB at the airport so I didn't have the patience/time to use the search tool or open other threads. :)

[Grif]

Installed my 25 LED array "towers" last night.... wow... now THATS some lumens!

The LED towers are giving the primary headlights a run for their money for sure.. and tho they dont match up too badly, looks like I'll be doing a HID upgrade to the headlights sooner than i had expected.

Absolutely no fitment issues either. The LED upgrade is a no-brainier.

[VX KAT]

Installed my 25 LED array "towers" last night.... wow... now THATS some lumens!

The LED towers are giving the primary headlights a run for their money for sure.. and tho they dont match up too badly, looks like I'll be doing a HID upgrade to the headlights sooner than i had expected.

Absolutely no fitment issues either. The LED upgrade is a no-brainier.

Aren't LEDs fun! So cheap, so cool (literally) and so bright!! Bantam is selling his HID kit, may be a good deal if you're really wanting the HIDs sooner rather than later :drool2:

[RallyDude]

So I notice Sue that you bought his HID kit, but you already have them? I'd buy a set off you if you're just keeping a spare, or are they for the hubby's FJ?

[vt_maverick]

Installed my 25 LED array "towers" last night.... wow... now THATS some lumens!

The LED towers are giving the primary headlights a run for their money for sure.. and tho they dont match up too badly, looks like I'll be doing a HID upgrade to the headlights sooner than i had expected.

Absolutely no fitment issues either. The LED upgrade is a no-brainier.

So Grif I take it you order 2 from their website? Trying NOT to end up looking for a place to install an extra set. :)

[VX KAT]

So Grif I take it you order 2 from their website? Trying NOT to end up looking for a place to install an extra set. :)

Mav- this is what it looks like (depending on how many LEDs yours have). So you'll need two.
oh, p.s.....when you get access to the black connector part (shown in pic), do NOT clean the black gloppy greasy stuff off...that's to keep it watertight.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC_1990.JPG

[vt_maverick]

Thanks Sue. So DID you buy the other set of HIDs from Bantan? I thought he had them priced about the same as ordering them new... or was I mistaken?

[VX KAT]

Thanks Sue. So DID you buy the other set of HIDs from Bantan? I thought he had them priced about the same as ordering them new... or was I mistaken?

No, I passed on them. He didn't have much detail as to brand, wattage etc, plus they'd been installed and un-installed...I'd rather get brand new for Dave's FJ. May try the company Jack uses. I just looked up the 55W and they're only $65 with lifetime warranty! :freek: How can they be that cheap???

[Luna X]

Sue,

I just bought a set for the Z from a small shop down here in Mesa... $65

so far, so good... and they do offer warranty/guarantee

will be going back soon to get a set for the VX... can't beat that price!

[Grif]

So Grif I take it you order 2 from their website? Trying NOT to end up looking for a place to install an extra set. :)

Yes VT_Mav, I ordered two from their website. I think you may be able to find the same ones cheaper, but I bought from them since their site was so informative i felt they deserved the props for the sale.

[VX KAT]

Yes VT_Mav, I ordered two from their website. I think you may be able to find the same ones cheaper, but I bought from them since their site was so informative i felt they deserved the props for the sale.
I agree, autolumination.com customer service & help is first rate. I bought all my other LEDs for the VX from him. I even paid AZ sales tax (cuz his biz is in AZ), because he was so helpful. His name is "Chris" and his other website is superlumination.com.

[vt_maverick]

I agree, autolumination.com customer service & help is first rate. I bought all my other LEDs for the VX from him. I even paid AZ sales tax (cuz his biz is in AZ), because he was so helpful. His name is "Chris" and his other website is superlumination.com.

Yeah I agree, sometimes paying the extra $10 to keep quality suppliers in business is a good thing.

Sue - what other LEDs do you have on your rig?

[VX KAT]

Yeah I agree, sometimes paying the extra $10 to keep quality suppliers in business is a good thing.

Sue - what other LEDs do you have on your rig?

I did the horn lights (in purple :rollo:)
Front fender triangular marker lights (amber)
Rear fender marker lights (red)
Dom light

Got them all from autolumination. I installed all them myself, except the horn, Dub did that in Moab when he was doing my HIDs, but he showed me where they go, I just couldn't manipulate the bulb w/o dropping it, so he did it.

I still want to do turn signals & brake lights, but they're more complicated, so I skipped it.

[vt_maverick]

Think I'm going to order those 25 LED towers from them soon, then stop by jdm monkey's place and have him put in the dome light, horn, and license plate LEDs for me. The markers (front bumper, front fender, rear fender) would look great with LEDs, although I think they'd look even better with the blinker mod.

So installing white LEDs behind clear/white markers is pretty obvious, but is there an advantage to installing amber LEDs behind an amber lens? Or red behind a red? Seems like white LEDs could overpower the colored lens, but colored LEDs could be significantly darker...

[VX KAT]

Think I'm going to order those 25 LED towers from them soon, then stop by jdm monkey's place and have him put in the dome light, horn, and license plate LEDs for me. The markers (front bumper, front fender, rear fender) would look great with LEDs, although I think they'd look even better with the blinker mod.

So installing white LEDs behind clear/white markers is pretty obvious, but is there an advantage to installing amber LEDs behind an amber lens? Or red behind a red? Seems like white LEDs could overpower the colored lens, but colored LEDs could be significantly darker...


It works out OK putting red behind red/amber behind amber..I thought the same thing, but they're not any darker, just a little brighter.

Twisting off the front round makers 1/4 turn will likely be a bit rough since they've been in place for so long and have accumulated some crude. Smaller hands make it a bit easier to grasp the front lens, (let's see how did RickOKC describe his...scrawny girl scout twig arms) and using a rubbery type jar opener thing can help.

OK, all you highly skilled handy people, look away and don't read this paragraph.....
Dome light was easily within my pay grade, just remove a little oblong festoon bulb about 1 1/4" long, Can replace with a flat wafer type LED bulb with the same type of ends as the festoon bulb...as long as the wafer part fits in the housing. I bought one that had 4 small LEDs within the glass tube of a festoon, but it wasn't nearly as bright as the wafer type with some higher power ones. It produces a great bright crisp white light, and you can angle the wafer to bias the light toward front, rear, center....(but entire cabin is still getting some light)

WAFER TYPE:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/32MM-12-SMD-LED-Festoon-Bulb-White-DE3021-DE3022-DE3175-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35ad045ba4QQitemZ23053 6010660QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries#ht_2647wt_909

LEDs WITHIN GLASS TUBE FESTOON:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-31mm-1-25-Blue-4-LED-Festoon-Bulbs-DE3175-DE3021-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19beceee4bQQitemZ11057 5414859QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries#ht_3525wt_1073

Pops in between the 2 pieces of metal with tension. I ended up using some small needle nose pliers to try to hold one end why I pushed/slid the other end up against the metal and get the tip into the small retainer hole. Word of advice...don't squeeze the pliers too hard or you'll bend/crimp/deform the metal end. But, happily, even after I goobered the metal end it still worked (and still works). :thumbup: I didn't get any electric shock BTW. :dan_ban::thumbup: It was a good day!

I like the bright LED dome lights so much, when I traded in my 4Runner, I took out both LEDs and reinstalled the OEMs....Dave laughed at me.

[MSHardeman]

Sue/All, I replace my dome light a while ago with a flat wafer LED array (for lack of a better term) and chronicled it here: http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=16728&highlight=LED+dome+light There aren't any pictures of the actual bulb on the thread, but I could easily take a couple of anyone is interested. Due to the flat shape of the light array, and the fact that there are 9 or 12 (can't remember which) LED's it tends to throw off a lot of pure white light. Really lights the interior up at night.

[vt_maverick]

Resurrecting an old thread since I'm about to buy a set of replacement fog light LEDs...

I'm looking at the Autolumination website here:

http://www.autolumination.com/194.htm

...and specifically looking at the 25 LED towers (third product down). Everything looks good except that I notice the dimensions are 11mm diameter x 38mm, which is longer than the max that Grif mentions below. Can anyone confirm that these bulbs will work before I buy?

Thanks guys!


The Malibu bulbs i just installed from Home Despot measure .6in dia, x 1.4in long and fits EASILY in the lamp housings.

That equates to 15.24 millimeters dia x 35.56 millimeters long.

The bulb type is 194 (mainly refers to the type of connector on the base) So I go to an LED automotive light store and search to get:

http://www.autolumination.com/194.htm

Most all of those LED's will fit our standard housing. Its quite a selection, but check the dimensions listed for each bulb to be sure. If its is smaller than 15.4mm x 35.56mm then it should fit beautifully. I have a set on the way that are pushing those dimensions a bit, will report back with results. I know its not a recommendation, but its good info to know and gives you a range of types and styles to look at.

You can check here for the approximate lumens for each bulb style there in order to determine relative brightness. http://autolumination.com/specifications_194.html

Hope that helps.

[VX KAT]

Mav- give me a minute to look it up, I bought many of my bulbs from autolumination, but I know the front round bulbs came from ebay (motoringmax)....but I still think I ordered some of those bulbs from him....
In any event, I think I posted the length of the bulbs I got on ebay, and if I can find that post, we'll know if the 35mm will fit or not.

[vt_maverick]

Thanks Sue. I think the 11mm dimension will work fine, it's the 38mm dimension that has me concerned.

[VX KAT]

My original 38 LED towers (that blew up) were at least 38mm according to my info. And I recall there was some extra room, they were not touching the inner lens at all. I think you'll be fine with those towers.:thumbup:

[Grif]

Good time to follow up on this, one of my LED towers has blown a handfull of individual LED's so I kinda have a gimpy one on one side now. I'll replace it soon enough, and when I do I'll inspect to see what may have gone wrong. Just FYI.

No big deal really, they are inexpensive and easy to replace, I just hope it doesn't become a recurring issue.

[vt_maverick]

My original 38 LED towers (that blew up) were at least 38mm according to my info. And I recall there was some extra room, they were not touching the inner lens at all. I think you'll be fine with those towers.:thumbup:

Thanks Sue, just ordered them. :)