Wiring question/problem

[90Xjay]

RE: How to fit a big block into a YJ?

I have had wired for over a year now, a pair of 55-watt driving lights.
I used a 4 prong relay and a Hella switch to wire them.

they have been working fine until about 2 months ago, I lost power to the driving lights, dash clock, radio all at the same time.

After looking around, I found the 10 amp dome light fuse blown!!??

i replaced it and all was well.

Last time I had it out, lost lights again. After remembering which fuse was it last time, I replace it and all was well. ..... I thought.

I checked the driving lights and immediatly blew that same fuse.
The only connection to the two items was that the relay used for the driving lights got battery power from a open prong right beside the dome light fuse.

To test the problem, I moved the battery power lead from the open prong near the dome light fuse to another open prong on the other side of the fuse panel, and you guessed it. It then started blowing a 15 amp power ant. fuse right beside it again.

Can I have a bad relay, that is blowing fuses like this?

Why else could this happen?

Lightless in Texas....90

 

[Craig]

Try wiring the driving lights straight off the battery. You can use a power source from the fuse box to "trigger" the relay when the switch is turned on but you should get the power that goes to the lights straight from the battery. Most likely you'll notice your lights will be brighter and it should hopefully solve your problem of blowing fuses.

 

[Inspector-Gadget]

Hi-Ya 90Xjay,

Yes, you could indeed have a bad relay. Relays fail, just as all other gizmos might fail.

For what it might be worth, here is how I added TJ fog-lights to my CJ:

Wired as shown above:

(1) Fog-Lights illuminate only when headlights are on.

(2) Switch-2 wiper down, fog-lights are illuminated whenever headlights are on (headlights on low or high beam).

(3) Switch-2 wiper up, fog-lights are illuminated only when headlights are on high-beam.

(4) Switch-2 wiper centered, fog-lights always extinguished.

For trouble-shooting your existing setup: disconnect your fog/driving lights from the relay. Power up the lights via the dash switch. If fuse still blows, you have elimated the lights and associated wiring as the problem.

The problem, therefore, must lie with the relay or associated relay trigger wiring.

Regards,

Gadget

 

[90Xjay]

Laughter.... the color of life

Thanks guys,
I am going to pick up and new relay tommorrow.

I think I did bring a power wire in from the battery....or..maybe not..
I have to double check that. If I did not, I will run some 10 ga heavy stuff from the battery through the firewall to the relay and then use the fuse box volts to trigger..

The lights ran fine for nearly a year.. given I did not use them a whole lot, but still. I really hope it is the relay.

Gadget, I already have another set of Hellas besides these I am having trouble with. I mounted them in place of my factory fog lights and just used the factory wiring. I like how Jeep set them up, your headlights must be on before you can power your fog light circuit. With my Hellas, headlights and my overhead mounted twin 55 watt lights, I can make some pretty good light.

Love the deer in the wiring diagram...nice touch :lol: :lol:

I have printed that out for reference.