M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

Fog light help

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Old Apr 15, 2005 | 09:43 PM
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99 ml430,2005 s500
Fog light help

Hey guys got a question here i have auxillary foglights wired to the rocker switch on my brush guard and just installed bulbs in the head light assembly do i need to up the ampage of the fuse if running both because my friend said he had to because his fuse was popping I dont want to burn up the wiring but I figure thats not likely because mercedes doesnt skim on the wiring any help would be appreciated thank you.
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 01:39 AM
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Fog light wiring

Originally Posted by ballzilla
Hey guys got a question here i have auxillary foglights wired to the rocker switch on my brush guard and just installed bulbs in the head light assembly do i need to up the ampage of the fuse if running both because my friend said he had to because his fuse was popping I dont want to burn up the wiring but I figure thats not likely because mercedes doesnt skim on the wiring any help would be appreciated thank you.
Not sure in your case--I replaced my HL with bi-xenons and then added brush guard lights. I would think if you installed the auxiliary lights correctly, the switch is only providing power to a relay and your lights are wired direct to the battery through the relay, so there should be no wiring or fuse issues.

They need their own dedicated fuses. That's the way I would do it. If both sets of lights are hooked directly to the factory harness and run simultaneosly you will overload the wiring and fuse--not good.


Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Apr 16, 2005 at 11:06 AM.
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
Not sure in your case--I replaced my HL with bi-xenons and then added brush guard lights. I would think if you installed the auxiliary lights correctly, the switch is only providing power to a relay and your lights are wired direct to the battery through the relay, so there should be no wiring or fuse issues. They need their own dedicated fuses. That's the way I would do it.

thanks greg sorry just home from the bar. the lights on my bullbar were in stalled by the dealer and the bulbs in headlight myself they blew the fuse wondering if should be seperate or see mechanic thank you
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 12:06 PM
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The fuse on that circuit supplying both auxiliary and the integrated fog lights is 15 AMPS. So 180 Watts total should be okay. Seems you have 220 Watts installed?

Last edited by Wolfgang; Apr 16, 2005 at 12:09 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 01:00 PM
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Fog lights

Originally Posted by Wolfgang
The fuse on that circuit supplying both auxiliary and the integrated fog lights is 15 AMPS. So 180 Watts total should be okay. Seems you have 220 Watts installed?
Your math is correct, of course. Another problem, however, is that in most states it would be illegal to run headlights and two sets of fogs at one time.
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Wolfgang
The fuse on that circuit supplying both auxiliary and the integrated fog lights is 15 AMPS. So 180 Watts total should be okay. Seems you have 220 Watts installed?
yeah i have 220 i dont care about tickets or what not i just wanna make sure if i up the amps on the fuse i dont burn the wiring or something
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 07:42 PM
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Fused

Originally Posted by ballzilla
yeah i have 220 i dont care about tickets or what not i just wanna make sure if i up the amps on the fuse i dont burn the wiring or something
A 22% overcurrent may of may not be a problem. You may not find out until you run them both for extended periods. Regardless, upping the fuse to 20A may be an expedient fix, but it is not the right way to do it. Remind me not to buy a car from you.
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Old Apr 17, 2005 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
Your math is correct, of course. Another problem, however, is that in most states it would be illegal to run headlights and two sets of fogs at one time.
Found the section in the California vehicle code. Apparently the number of lights is limited to four:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24405.htm


Last edited by Wolfgang; Apr 17, 2005 at 03:10 PM.
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Old Apr 17, 2005 | 06:35 PM
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just got back from talking with a mercedes tech he said its perfectly fine to run both the circuit can take the amount of lights he determined it wasprobably a bad fuse the 15 amp works now and hasnt blown lights were on forn an hour of driving thanks for all the help guys
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