Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage or problems
caused by
anyone attempting to duplicate this modification. Modify at your own risk!
Do not assume that my description is error-free, as I am not an electronics
expert.
The JDM foglights enhance the big-headlight look of the Prelude. You either love it or hate it, but if you love it, go all the way and put as much glass as possible on the front of the car! ;-)
The external harness installs very similarly to the U.S. version fog lights. The internal harness is very different, and it's best to get help from installation instructions found on the 'net.
There's only one real problem -- there's no slot for the
foglight switch. Your choice is to either use the place of an existing
switch (such as the dimmer, folding it behind into the dash), or order some more
parts, to match what would have come with the US foglights, including a new
switch.
The JDM fog switch has two lights, one to light up the symbol, and another to indicate when the fog lights are actually on. The US switch only has one light. If you connect it as described in other sources, it will light up whenever the switch has power, not just when the fog lights are actually on. So, if you have it hooked up where it may be turned on when your parking lights are on, the switch light will always come on. I find this pretty useless -- I want some visual feedback to indicate that the lights are on!
Using the multi-meter, I debugged each wire, and came up with a remapping scheme, but it is slightly more complex than just swapping wires. You can see the "Y"splitter in the photo on the right. Now, the switch light only comes on when the fog lights are engaged. Mission accomplished!
This was not my only goal.
I had installed my alarm myself a long time ago, but I never felt like I had a good place to put the flashing LED. It was conspicuous enough, so it suited the purpose. However, wouldn't it be nice to give it a more finished look? Along with the new switch, you also have to get a new switch holder, and a blank plate to cover up a remaining, unused hole. It was this hole which now holds the LED. The alarm manual recommends drilling in multiple sizes, stepping up the size, which is probably a good idea. I wrapped the base of the LED with some electrical tape (not shown) to make it fit more snugly.
The photo below shows the result! (Click on any of the photos to see an enlargement.) I think this is a much more finished and professional look. Perfect? No, but what is? For one thing, I don't think the LED is as visible as it could be, as the lower portion is inset. Overall, I'm very pleased with the result!
08V31-S30-100R2 Switch Holder
08V31-S30-100R3 Switch Hole Cover
08V31-S30-1M009 US Market Foglight Switch
Page created by: vidgamer@bellsouth.net
Changes last made on: Sat., July 27, 2004