Fog lights problem - they come on by themselves and then don't work anymore

kdsimms · 01-26-2013, 12:19 PM

Just wondering if anyone has seen this problem...

I have an '06 Ridgeline. I run my fog lamps and the switch stay on all the time. Just last week, a next door neighbor called one night to say my lights were on. Turns out just the fog lights were on. They came on by themselves. They have never done that. So I turn the switch off.

A day or two later while driving, I tried to turn the fog lights on but they wouldn't come on. And they won't come on any more. The switch lights up, but no lights.

I read on this forum that they run on a 20amp fuse. So I checked them all, in all 3 fuse boxes. None are blown. This is the strangest problem.

Anyone have any ideas or run across this before?

TIA,
Ken

JadedSoulX · 01-26-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdsimms

I run my fog lamps and the switch stay on all the time.

Did you mod the the switch/connection so that they stay on all the time or do you mean that you keep the switched depressed (on).

If it is the former, I would set them up the way they were supposed to work. If they work like normal, then it would suggest it's the mod. From there you need to troubleshoot the mod.

kdsimms · 01-28-2013, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JadedSoulX

Did you mod the the switch/connection so that they stay on all the time or do you mean that you keep the switched depressed (on).

If it is the former, I would set them up the way they were supposed to work. If they work like normal, then it would suggest it's the mod. From there you need to troubleshoot the mod.

Thanks for your reply. No, no mods done at all. Just all of a sudden, they came on one night by themselves. Flipped the switch off. They operated once or twice by switch after that. Now they won't come on at all. Very strange situation.

JadedSoulX · 01-28-2013, 07:46 AM

From your original post it sounds like you did the install yourself. I don't have a solution for you but if it were me I would double check all connections using the original install manual found here:

http://www.bernardiparts.com/Images/...s_AII28603.pdf

Also, if that fails, you can try replacing the switch. If they were bought less than a year ago the parts are under warranty.

Let us know where you get.

Cheers.

JadedSoulX · 01-28-2013, 07:48 AM

Also, here's the electrical schematic.

kdsimms · 01-28-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JadedSoulX

Also, here's the electrical schematic.

Thanks for the additional documents. I'll give them a look over.

I don't know, but I would think it's not the switch. The indicator light in the switch comes on, but the fog lamps do not. This one is a head scratcher.

Ken

AlexRTS · 01-28-2013, 10:30 PM

Okay, first things first. Get your battery tested. I know it sounds silly, but you'd be surprised.

The only real way to diagnose an electrical problem is to start at one end and move step-by-step to the other. I know it's a PITA, but I've "been there done that." You'd be surprised what a bad switch can do. However I suspect a bad relay. If I recall correctly, Honda had an issue a while back with fuel pump relays crapping out after a few years. The solder on one of the circuits would develop a hairline crack, rendering that circuit inoperable. Could be a similar situation.

Elkhunter · 01-28-2013, 10:37 PM

Key to remember is that there are multiple hot wires here. The indicator lamp isn't the same hot wire on the switch going to the lamps.

I'd bet on the relay first. If that proves not to be it then the switch. Relays are cheap. Switch is more expensive. Should be easy to check with ohm meter

kdsimms · 01-29-2013, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkhunter

Key to remember is that there are multiple hot wires here. The indicator lamp isn't the same hot wire on the switch going to the lamps.

I'd bet on the relay first. If that proves not to be it then the switch. Relays are cheap. Switch is more expensive. Should be easy to check with ohm meter

I didn't think about a relay. Now to find the little bugger...

speedlever · 01-29-2013, 05:31 AM

Weren't fog lights standard on the '06 RTL? If not, what year did FL become standard on the RTL trim?

To find the relay/fuses, go to this site and look for the 2006 fog light installation instructions:
http://estore.honda.com/honda/access...Name=Ridgeline

01-26-2013, 12:19 PM	#1
kdsimms ROC Rank: Freshman 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 39	Fog lights problem - they come on by themselves and then don't work anymore Just wondering if anyone has seen this problem... I have an '06 Ridgeline. I run my fog lamps and the switch stay on all the time. Just last week, a next door neighbor called one night to say my lights were on. Turns out just the fog lights were on. They came on by themselves. They have never done that. So I turn the switch off. A day or two later while driving, I tried to turn the fog lights on but they wouldn't come on. And they won't come on any more. The switch lights up, but no lights. I read on this forum that they run on a 20amp fuse. So I checked them all, in all 3 fuse boxes. None are blown. This is the strangest problem. Anyone have any ideas or run across this before? TIA, Ken

01-28-2013, 07:46 AM	#4
JadedSoulX ROC Rank: 1k Comma Club 2009 RTS Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 1,140	Re: Fog lights problem - they come on by themselves and then don't work anymore From your original post it sounds like you did the install yourself. I don't have a solution for you but if it were me I would double check all connections using the original install manual found here: http://www.bernardiparts.com/Images/...s_AII28603.pdf Also, if that fails, you can try replacing the switch. If they were bought less than a year ago the parts are under warranty. Let us know where you get. Cheers. __________________ Last edited by JadedSoulX; 01-28-2013 at 08:49 AM.

01-28-2013, 10:30 PM	#7
AlexRTS ROC Rank: Senior 2006 RTS Steel Blue Metallic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Midwest Posts: 566	Re: Fog lights problem - they come on by themselves and then don't work anymore Okay, first things first. Get your battery tested. I know it sounds silly, but you'd be surprised. The only real way to diagnose an electrical problem is to start at one end and move step-by-step to the other. I know it's a PITA, but I've "been there done that." You'd be surprised what a bad switch can do. However I suspect a bad relay. If I recall correctly, Honda had an issue a while back with fuel pump relays crapping out after a few years. The solder on one of the circuits would develop a hairline crack, rendering that circuit inoperable. Could be a similar situation. __________________ 2006 Steel Blue Ridgeline RTS

01-28-2013, 10:37 PM	#8
Elkhunter ROC Rank: 1k Comma Club 2007 RTS Aberdeen Green Metallic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 1,425	Re: Fog lights problem - they come on by themselves and then don't work anymore Key to remember is that there are multiple hot wires here. The indicator lamp isn't the same hot wire on the switch going to the lamps. I'd bet on the relay first. If that proves not to be it then the switch. Relays are cheap. Switch is more expensive. Should be easy to check with ohm meter __________________ Full Size Spare, USA-Spec iPod adaptor, Westin powder coated sidesteps, OEM tow hitch and harness, 2009 camera handle, Back-up camera, Dual input 3.6-inch Boyo Monitor (Second camera on rear of my teardrop trailer), Trunk carpet, Trunk dividers, Billet Grill, Infinity Reference 1031t Tweeters, Full-time power to front and rear 12V outlets, Fumoto oil drain valve, FIGS G2 hood prop kit. Rhino 360B Hitch step, OEM Rear Splashguards, 255/65/17 MS2's. Last edited by Elkhunter; 01-28-2013 at 10:42 PM.

01-29-2013, 05:31 AM	#10
speedlever Moderator 2008 RTS Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 13,953	Re: Fog lights problem - they come on by themselves and then don't work anymore Weren't fog lights standard on the '06 RTL? If not, what year did FL become standard on the RTL trim? To find the relay/fuses, go to this site and look for the 2006 fog light installation instructions: http://estore.honda.com/honda/access...Name=Ridgeline __________________ 2008 Ridgeline RTS in BSM 2006 Pilot EXL-RES in BSM Last edited by speedlever; 01-29-2013 at 05:41 AM.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Ridgeline Owners Club Advertisement

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2011 Fog One Set Of Fog Lights Not Working	Richie10	Problems & Issues	6	12-02-2010 08:25 PM
tail lights don't work not the bulbs or a fuse?	sigg14	Problems & Issues	5	10-11-2010 08:21 PM
New Windshield, Now interior lights don't work	ridgelinejess	Problems & Issues	3	02-20-2010 01:30 PM
oem fog lights and aux fog lights together???	felixsaysmeeow	Accessories	1	02-09-2010 09:12 PM
My door lock master switch doesn't work anymore	bluesteelRTL	Problems & Issues	6	06-16-2009 05:17 AM