Foglight Mod Question - PA Inspection

I did the foglight anytime mod a few years ago, and due to the spiral cable recall I decided to just have my local dealer do the inspection at the same time.. I got the call that because my fogs won't go off when I turn on my high beams it fails, and needs to be fixed.. Anyone ever hear of this?

 

no, i had mine for 3 years with no inspection problems

 

Depends on how your state's laws are written. Here's what I found:
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter175/s175.66.html

Doesn't say anything about it being a problem. A lot of states allow you 4 forward facing lights to be on at any given time.

 

I talked to a retired state cop that works for us and he told me that when the high beams are on you can't have any other forward facing lights running.. oh well

 

I've heard that too. Did he give you any reasonable explanation why? I always thought it was stupid that aftermarket lights have in the instructions that you should wire them so that they would go off with the high beams. I'm thinking.. hey I don't want to blind people.. it's when I can use high beams that I WANT more light.

 

Did he have anything to back that up? The code I gave you a link to a few posts up makes no mention of it.

 

Just walk away from the dealership when it comes to inspections. Yes annual inspections serve an important purpose, but anyone who is in tune with their truck and regularly maintains it will know what it needs and when. Find a local trustworthy shop. They are usually much more forgiving toward the little shit.

 

I've always taken my truck to a local shop, but I was having the spiral cable recall done (my light's been on for a while) and it just seemed easier.. Work's been crazy and I had now idea when I'd get it in.. I know that I read somewhere at one point in the code about having them run at the same time.. I also found this in the link above..

These lamps shall be wired through a double throw switch so that both sets of lights will not operate at same time.

Who knows, but I'm heading out to rewire it now

 

I've gone through 3 PA inspections at my Toyota dealer (Performance Toyota in Sinking Spring) with the foglight mod and have had no issues.

 

That's where I bought my truck.. I guess Lancaster needs to pay for their enormous repair facility somehow

 

Though difficult to explain, the PA state DOT law does require that a fog light can only operate with low beams on. Which is to say, you cannot wire your fog lights to operate when low beams are not on. Nor can you wire them to come on, or stay on when High beams are on.

It's likely that if you left your fog lights turned off they won't even check at your inspection station. But, the law has been the same for at least 40 years in PA

 

I'm guessing it was Lancaster Toyota? They tried to give me a hard time about my exhaust being dumped under the bed. They called me and said they needed to weld on a new exhaust pipe that exited out the side. I knew the PA code and argued with them for about a half an hour until they saw it my way. I ussually do my inspection at a local garage also but needed them to look at the transmission as I'm developing new and unusual noises after my throwout bearing was replaced.

 

That's interesting you can't wire them that way, my old dodge ran the fogs anytime my side markers were on.. I made sure to turn them off when I got there, so I was VERY surprised they even checked.. I knew they were right so I didn't want to argue, but it's as simple as pulling the connector out and bending the relay tab back, so i'll remember to do it before my next inspection..

It was Lancaster, and the lady I dealt with was really cool about it.. She told me they don't miss the littleist things when I told her it's passed numerous times the way it was, but who knows.. Lesson learned, unplug and be done with it..

 

Yup.

It's actually federal law.
Fogs must only actuate with low beams, driving lights must only actuate with high beams.
Not all states stick to the law, but it is federal.

Find a more friendly inspector, or reverse the mod long enough to pass.

 

VA laws are the same as PA....I had no trouble and it passed. Got my free inspection done at my dealer.

 

From Lancaster eh?? Me too.... welll, Landisville anyway.

Fog lights can only be used with low beams.
Driving lights can only be used with hi-beams

Additional lighting needs to be 20" apart center-to-center

I have two PIAA 540 fogs on my truck. When inspection time rolls around, I unplug them completely (no power). If there's no power, they can't 'test' them. A former garage owner & friend told me this..... to unplug them completely.

I've been doing this for several years and I take my truck to Benders Garage in Landisville. No problems....

 

In CA your fog lights can only be on with your low beams. When the hi-beams click on the fog lights have to automatically go off. You can have driving lights that only come with hi-beams but have to go off when the low beams come on. Most other States have similar requirements.

Ray

 

Lancaster Toyota sucks!!! Honestly...every time I deal with them for a variety of reasons, they always tick me off. They're clueless!!

I bought my truck at New Holland Toyota because I hate going to Lancaster.

I just wish New Holland wasn't 30 miles away...although, sometimes I will drive that far just for a part or service.

 

I looked at a Tundra over at New Holland Toyota and the salesman gave me a tour. I was impressed by their service department over there. I just may start using them instead. BTW, the tool box you gave me has been very useful, so thanks again!