removing 09 Vibe fog light black insert

[bikeman1]

There's been a lot kicked around about installing fog lights on the 09-10 vibes on which the option was not installed (the ones with the blank black insert). I am considering the task and have "taken a look" with a flashlight at what this might involve1) Has anyone actually physically really done this? if so2) Does one come in from above or remove the large plastic underpanel and come in from below (a pretty large piece....get out the jackstands....)3) on the driver side does the battery and battery baseplate have to come off? The passenger side is sort of (!) open from above but the driver side is a jungle, not clear how one would get through4) The insert seems to have two flat black tabs about 15 mm across that are holding it in top and bottom. Do these release and if so how (the panels remove out the front)? This is a blind manuever without pulling the underpanel5) there has been discussion that the wiring harness for the bulb is there. Where is it being kept?6) The blank insert seems (I have not removed it) to have mounting slots for the lamp -- slots for the 4 tabs on a matrix-style lamp. That is odd, given it has no hole for the lamp Perhaps it is just because this is the blank casted version of the real one without a hole. Has anyone seen the real insert (with hole)? What does it look like?7) In the fuse panel, there is one open space for a new relay. Does a new relay have to be installed with the option, or is it only needed with the switched stalk? What the dickens are the existing harnesses (which I haven't found) wired too? A photo of the fuse panel from someone who has it factory installed would help. Anyone have a fuse block wiring diagram or schematicI can sort of see why someone would just rewire the lamps using a kit harness and avoid the fuse panel/stalk/stock issues. This does mean permanently wiring it to the low beam circuit (+110W)This was a plenty silly thing to make into a $125 option . It was also plenty silly of me (like, doh ) not to check that the option (news to me but I could have checked a blank build sheet on carsdirect) was not installed. And, it was silly of the dealer , given the option, not to install it. One could take the cynical view that the dealer might be trying to rack up some after-sale bucks but if so there would be a pricy kit available. Without the kit, he has to send it out of shop. It is more likely that they are there to sell cars and would have put it on to help the sale, but didn't pick up that it was an option either. I visited one dealer who built all their lot models with the pop-up rear cargo deck skitterless storage module, just because they obviously planned on showing it during customer demos. But its not very suavee sales style to show the fog lights and say "look, we even didn't forget to add the fog lights option that used to be standard equipment on the old Vibes".....I'm guessing the truth is, GM decided to make it an option to help GT sales (where it is standard) and that many dealers just were not completely familiar that it had become an option, at least on the 09's. Maybe I shoulda got the GT for the extra $1000.....there was one nearby in red with a sunroof -- that's a lot of options for a $1000 price difference (sunroof, fog lights, leather interior, wheels and suspension upgrade)anyway....fishing for anyone out there who (a) has really gotten into doing the lights mod short of writing a big check to the dealer, (b) wants to sing the blues along with me about this. Singing the blues ain't gonna fix it but it sure is sweet!

[bikeman1]

And...if someone can find a wiring diagram for the 09-10 units, I wonder if it deserves a place in the wonderful "Here's your diagram" sticky at the top of the forum ??

[bikeman1]

well I appreciate everyone's honesty in not having tried this....may one is even crazy to try. Here is a Youtube video of a prfessional installer doing a factory-kit mod to a Honda CRV (which might resemble the "pro" procedure for the vibe). Not exactly major surgery but close.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9jaC8Q0tswNote he had to pull the bumper and the inside fender covers, plus off with all the console and wteering wheel covers, plus he had a lift, plus he could remove the cover clips in his sleep, plus he had a replacement stalk that just plugged in, and it still took him 55 minutes!! This is why the dealer upgrade costs $500+ -- the parts including a new relay and switch stalk are probably $400+, and I bet the shop time estimate is more than an hour. For the weekend mechanic, I'd give it a full day provided he/she doesn't break anything first....For people trying to keep this under $300 (i.e. most people on this site) the lights and fascia cover are available for about $250 from the dealer. A little radio shack rocker switch may be an effective sub for the switch stalk (my switch panel left of the wheel has 3 empty slots), but you'll need a switching relay to power up the lights and a source of 12V that is fused. All without violating your warranty.....sheesh.How about I put a headlight on our 2 dogs and tell one to look out windows on either side....guess I'll get out my DVOM and see what's available on the fuse panel

[bikeman1]

this is sort of like one of those solo round the world sailing trips. But as I a, learning more seems logical to record it. I got the part numbers for the open fascia plate and for the OEM lamps, as well as for the column switch with fog lamps. On GMpartsdirect, the whole shebamg would be $250, which is tolerable. I was surprised how little the switch cost ($70 list/$42 discount)There seem to be 2 approaches that would work: (a)use a good aftermarket lamp fitted well to the stock fascia, then wire to a 40 amp relay mounted on the frame outside the fuse panel (take power from the switched low beam circuit -- its fuse 14 on the 2009). One can run a switch from the panel to open the relay. Or (b) use the stock OEM lamps and harness and plug in the correct switch. (b) would probably cost twice as much but take half the time/trouble -- assuming the harness is pre-wired to a relay that can drive the lights from column switch (not sure about that)I've ordered the fascia and am going to check out local aftermarket lights, which seem to be of cheap quality. Then we'll see.Anyone know a link for removing the driver side panel undercover and wheel housing?

[Old Tele man]

...FWIW, I'm interested in how well you succeed with your project, as I've been wanting to add fog lamps to our 2009 base Vibe, too.

[bikeman1]

Thanks Tman. I'll keep you posted with details and how things go. Its going to take a bit of time as I am doing this in stages. Stage 1 is get the fascia platesMeanwhile, if anyone can refer me to any details on removing front bumper cover/instrument panel undercover, I'd appreciate it. The online Toyota manual is kind of thin on detail. Especially interested in the two "claws" clips referred to in the manual for holding in the fascia. Whats up with those. I do say that that the bumper/fendet clips( the pop-up ones) are awful easy to use

[mysticbluevibe]

Although I haven't added fogs to my 09' yet. I did a custom mod for air intake and used the fog/blank to mount the intake horn.. After you remove the underside covers, about 4-5 10mm lag bolts and a couple of those push pin clips, it's fairly easy from there... First... the blanks have 4 corner taps that just push out after moved to one side or the other.. cake... There are factory holes in a pattern to mount the Fog lights.. easy nuf,,, to top it off there is a pigtail tied up under there on each side to accomodate the fog lights.. just plug them in.....all done. factory wired fogs.I just laid on the garage floor for all of it.. no jack, no stands, no problem.You'll have to remove the Battery and it's platform to look / see good from the top.

[Kincaid]

Found this on a search and am a bit bummed there were few responses and no pics, etc. I long ago bought the fog light bezels and have never got around to switching them out. I think now that I had the engine bay detailed I'll do it while it is clean, because it sounds as if I can go in from the top and just have to squeeze my hand in on the passenger side and remove the battery and tray on the driver side.

I do know one member at least added fogs to his 2009-10 and posted tons of pics, so next I'll go looking for that thread.

[Kincaid]

found it!

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=30761" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[vibenvy]

Kincaid, you have got to start a Garage thread for your Vibe. I am dying to see pictures of it and all the mods you've done to it!

[Kincaid]

Better get crackin'! I just had it detailed about three weeks ago and today it is getting three dents removed "paintless" style.