DISCLAIMER: First off, as they say... I am not responsible for any damage cause to your vehicle. If you aren't comfortable getting your hands dirty with plastic removal and electric wiring, please take it to the dealer or someone you trust to work on your vehicle. Now, with that said...
Instead of having the dealership install the foglights I wanted, I took on the task myself. I wanted to write up a few things that may help others figure it all out. It seems, the instructions that are sent with the fog light kit are a bit vague, to say the least. If you haven't seen GM instruction sheets lately, they are written for about anyone in the world using illustrations with very few words.
There is a write-up on the Chevy Cruze forums that is pretty detailed, for that car. And there are similarities. I'm going to try to show and mention a few things that I did for the Sonic.
First, I got a new set of ramps for my car so I don't have to fuss with jacks and stands. I found these at Advance Auto. Rhino Ramps (Part No.*11903) . I had had metal ramps in the past but they would slide around. These ramps have a big rubber foot that plants them down as the car first rolls on and holds them in place. Also, the tool set from Harbor Freight (Item 67021) helps with the plastic buttons that need to be removed. The ramps will be used on oil changes in the future.
To do this job, basically, the front facia of the car has to be removed to access everything. The instructions start you off with the dashboard switch, replacing the existing one with the new fog-enabled version.
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!
And now, a face that only a new Sonic owner could love. A faceless Sonic. It was really cool to be able to check out the intercooler of the 1.4 first-hand.
The headlights are removed with 4 screws. The radiator overflow is unbolted and moved back a bit. The wiring was a bit confusing. The illustration was kind of scary, but I found the right spot for the tiny wire to be inserted. The new loom is laid in according to the illustration. Wire ties are provided to keep everything in place.
One wire goes to a chassis ground. When I had that removed, I added dielectric grease to ward off corrosion on the spades in the future. I do this on my 50 year-old-car, why not this one! There was another ground point on the other side of the car that got the same treatment. Computerized cars like good grounds.
Continue on with the illustrative instructions. The blanking plates in the facia are really hard to get out. The press-fit plastic holders are made to hold. You can fiddle with them and try to save the piece by delicately prying from the back if you are brave enough.
The new lights go in pretty easily. It's already looking cooler. The facia goes on pretty straight forward. Do it slow and steady to avoid hurting any of the finish. The real letdown of the project is that after you press the new button for fogs when you are finished, you'll get no light. The car has to go back to the dealer to have the computer reflashed. Be sure to include your instructions when you do that (as I didn't and had to make an extra trip.) On that sheet is a code that the dealer has to relate to GM and they, in turn, send a new program for your vehicle. It's a complicated process but when it's all done, you have lights!!!!
If anyone else has anything to add to this, please do. I didn't take pictures of every step, but I tried to give you a taste of what you are getting in to. It was a fun way to get to know workings of the car better. Special thx to AndrewGS who gave me some tips throughout the process!!! :banana:
Instead of having the dealership install the foglights I wanted, I took on the task myself. I wanted to write up a few things that may help others figure it all out. It seems, the instructions that are sent with the fog light kit are a bit vague, to say the least. If you haven't seen GM instruction sheets lately, they are written for about anyone in the world using illustrations with very few words.
There is a write-up on the Chevy Cruze forums that is pretty detailed, for that car. And there are similarities. I'm going to try to show and mention a few things that I did for the Sonic.
First, I got a new set of ramps for my car so I don't have to fuss with jacks and stands. I found these at Advance Auto. Rhino Ramps (Part No.*11903) . I had had metal ramps in the past but they would slide around. These ramps have a big rubber foot that plants them down as the car first rolls on and holds them in place. Also, the tool set from Harbor Freight (Item 67021) helps with the plastic buttons that need to be removed. The ramps will be used on oil changes in the future.
To do this job, basically, the front facia of the car has to be removed to access everything. The instructions start you off with the dashboard switch, replacing the existing one with the new fog-enabled version.
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!
And now, a face that only a new Sonic owner could love. A faceless Sonic. It was really cool to be able to check out the intercooler of the 1.4 first-hand.
The headlights are removed with 4 screws. The radiator overflow is unbolted and moved back a bit. The wiring was a bit confusing. The illustration was kind of scary, but I found the right spot for the tiny wire to be inserted. The new loom is laid in according to the illustration. Wire ties are provided to keep everything in place.
One wire goes to a chassis ground. When I had that removed, I added dielectric grease to ward off corrosion on the spades in the future. I do this on my 50 year-old-car, why not this one! There was another ground point on the other side of the car that got the same treatment. Computerized cars like good grounds.
Continue on with the illustrative instructions. The blanking plates in the facia are really hard to get out. The press-fit plastic holders are made to hold. You can fiddle with them and try to save the piece by delicately prying from the back if you are brave enough.
The new lights go in pretty easily. It's already looking cooler. The facia goes on pretty straight forward. Do it slow and steady to avoid hurting any of the finish. The real letdown of the project is that after you press the new button for fogs when you are finished, you'll get no light. The car has to go back to the dealer to have the computer reflashed. Be sure to include your instructions when you do that (as I didn't and had to make an extra trip.) On that sheet is a code that the dealer has to relate to GM and they, in turn, send a new program for your vehicle. It's a complicated process but when it's all done, you have lights!!!!
If anyone else has anything to add to this, please do. I didn't take pictures of every step, but I tried to give you a taste of what you are getting in to. It was a fun way to get to know workings of the car better. Special thx to AndrewGS who gave me some tips throughout the process!!! :banana:
