Fog Light Installation

[AndrewGS]

You could just add any ol' rag tag $25 Autozone fog lights to the car, but it would look like complete ****. Why not do it right, get the factory parts, install them to OEM standards and enjoy the factory look? You can add any horns you like as long as the drain isn't so bad it overwhelms the battery. I added 25 amp draw PIAA horns with a relay and have no problems. I hate old cars because **** breaks all the time and you have to work on them. Cars from the '80s on are just as complicated, if not more, than today's cars and I find they are harder to work on. I'd have bought one of these if gas was $1 a gallon. I love my Sonic. Random sociopolitical rant.

 

[oldertech]

I think I was practical. I got the OEM lights, installed in a few hours, they work beautifully, turn off and on as needed when the high beams are used, since high beams deter your viewing in fog, and looks awesome. I got to learn more about the insides of my new car, see the intercooler and have fun. I think it was a win-win.

 

[acwdjon]

To each his own. I'm like oldertech in the fact that I wanted mine to have factory appearance and it was a great oppurtunity to learn about the car and how it is built. It might be difficult to put them in the spot for factory fog lights because the bumper is made with the standoffs and holes ready and waiting for GM foglights. I wouldn't put them under the bumper (unless you live in the worlds flattest city or would like to replace them often lol). Maybe behind the lower grille opening?? Just a thought. Its perfectly possible to wire it exactly as you've said and the ECM wouldn't be bothered and it would be cool to have fog lights and high beams at one time. I myself am also not a big fan of new cars, I was highly considering reworking my van and putting a 350 in it and letting it be by daily driver, up until I drove a Sonic. The van was shelved immediately. Old cars have nothing on the Sonic in my opinion. Like Andrewgs said, 80's cars are computerized too and that was a big con to my van plan. Enjoy your Sonic, its a really good little car.

 

[SonicBoy24]

Then it points to many plastic buttons and T20 screws on top that need to be removed. That's where the tool from Harbor Freight worked perfectly to lift the plastic buttons buttons.

The belly pan is disconnected and the panel in front of the belly pan is taken off. Work your way around on the sides and make sure you get every T20 screw.

It's kind of daunting to rip the face of your new car off, but I did it. That was one of the scariest parts. It's a moment of blind faith to give each side a tug forward. But take your time and be careful as you do this. You don't want to nick the paint of your new baby! I had a friend who dropped by help me with this part. Make sure you disconnect the sensor in the front of the grille before you get too far from the car!

Does the belly pan Have to be taken off first? How many screws are there? I tried taking mine off earlier today and could not get the damn thing to budge...

 

[Papasonic]

Couldn't this be done the old fashioned way without all that hassle? Buy generic aftermarket fixtures (JCW or somewhere), flare them in to unused fog light bays or hang below nose, run power from battery through in line fuse and a dedicated switch on side of dash (tabbed anchor without drilling). And then you'd have near vision obstacle light boost even while hi-beams are on.

Most if not all states have vehicle lighting restrictions that prohibit the use of high beams in conjunction with fog lamps. That is why factory fog lamps only illuminate with low beams, and extinguish with the high beams. You can do this with aftermarket lighting by wiring the added lights with a relay triggered by the low beam circuit wire.

Papasonic

 

[oldertech]

Does the belly pan Have to be taken off first? How many screws are there? I tried taking mine off earlier today and could not get the damn thing to budge...

When I did mine I removed just the front 13mm bolts and I think the two Torx T-20 screws, and let the bellypan hang down a bit. You could continue taking it off if you prefer, but I did not.

 

[sonic hotness]

kinda sucks that you have to get the fog lights programed.

 

[rdss]

It is a hassle but at least everything works like stock afterwards.

 

[Justosonic1ls]

thanks for saving me like 200 bucks bro!

 

[LS1notFOUND]

I wish I could just have the parking lamps run as the drls.

Have a 10% off coupon, and I really want the fogs now. I kinda want to go with a rally theme on this car. add a roof rack put some lights in the lower grill (behind it would work since I have a 1.8L) hmmmmm. Some hella caps for the lights.

raise the ride height, that euro differential, meatier tires, good to go!

 

[sonicboom08]

HOW long did it take you to install the fog lights?

 

[baer666]

HOW long did it take you to install the fog lights?

I did mine myself as well, took me 6 hrs! My dealer didnt get me any install dirrections though. Took me almost 2 hours just to find where to plug the wire into.

 

[TilarP]

I wish I could just have the parking lamps run as the drls.

Have a 10% off coupon, and I really want the fogs now. I kinda want to go with a rally theme on this car. add a roof rack put some lights in the lower grill (behind it would work since I have a 1.8L) hmmmmm. Some hella caps for the lights.

raise the ride height, that euro differential, meatier tires, good to go!

I was thinking the same. Put some knobby tires. Look hella sexy thats for sure.

 

[TilarP]

Thanks for the write up! I'm really wanting to get rid of the plastic bar on the bottom grill but wanted to see what I'm dealing with before i do.

 

[Step219]

Thanks for the write up. For the record, what is GM's part number for the OEM 2012 Sonic fog lamp kit?

Thanks in advance!

 

[AndrewGS]

thanks for the write up. For the record, what is gm's part number for the oem 2012 sonic fog lamp kit?

Thanks in advance!

95950429

 

[disruptive8977]

Thank you very much sir!

 

[jase012684]

Hey oldertech I was wondering if you can email or post the instructions that come with the kit! I ordered my kit and everything came including the activation code paper but no instructions at all! Iv emailed the Chevy dealer I got them from on eBay with no luck! Just got my sonic 9 days ago!! Love it and will love it more when the fog lights are on and working. I'm new to this so I don't know if I put my email on the post or if you can look up my user ID because I clicked on the email from other people box!! Thanks again.

 

[Opticon]

Word of warning: Don't get fancy thinking the lighting is powered like any car in the past 50 years... because apparently GM tied the airbag sensors and something about the coolant temp sensor to the parking lights through the body control module.

CAN bus systems SUCK!

 

[rdss]

DDM posted a highly indepth tutorial on how to install their diverter in their intercooler diverter thread. That will help you get your bumper cover off and back on.