2002 - 2005 Scottsdale Driving Lights

[Tom17]

The dash switch says Driving Lights but the circuit diagrams and label on the under dash relay say Fog Lights. The light units (DEPO 331-2008N) are listed as fog lights with the Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency. The unit also has a shroud covering the top half of the bulb. Turning them on provides additional light close to the front of the motorhome. Mine were also aimed down as far as possible.

So why do they only work when the high beams are on?

For owners who want them to work with low beams, high beams, and parking lights a quick mod can make it happen. There is a relay mounted on the driver's side of the fire wall to the right of the fuse and relay center that is controlled by the high/low beam switch on the steering column. Unplug the relay and make a copper jumper shaped like the spades on the relay and insert it in the plug to connect the two yellow wires together. Securely cover the plug to prevent water intrusion.

This will allow you to turn on the fog lights anytime the parking or headlights are on. The high/low beam switch will no longer control them. The power to them is still controlled by the under dash fog light relay which is in turn controlled by the Driving Light dash switch. The reminder buzzer will still signal if you leave your lights on.

Small Print: This works on the 2005 model others may be different. No warranty expressed or implied, do not attempt if you are not comfortable working on automotive circuits. Sorry, used to work with a bunch of lawyers...

["007"]

Will have to check out my Driving lights don't drive nights much anymore but they need to be fixed anyway.
Thanks for the information and welcome to the Newmar forum & irv2.

[damdannyboy]

Thanks for the tip, I'll rollout my list of things to do in the spring and add that.

[gene17847]

hi in pa driving lights can only be on with low beam lights and off with high beam as per state inspection laws

[Tom17]

Thanks to gene17847, he brings up a good point. Check your state laws to be sure you are in compliance. GA allows the mod under 40-8-29 and 40-8-30:

40-8-29. Spotlights, foglights, and auxiliary lights permitted.

Statute text
(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spotlight, and no lighted spotlight shall be aimed and used upon any approaching vehicle. It shall be unlawful for any person except law enforcement officers and persons licensed under Chapter 38 of Title 43 to operate a spotlight from any moving vehicle on any highway or public roadway.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two foglights mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of 25 feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the light from which it comes.
(c) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary passing light mounted on the front at a height not less than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands, and every such auxiliary passing light shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
(d) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one auxiliary driving light mounted on the front at a height not less than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands, and every such auxiliary driving light shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.

40-8-30. Standards for multiple-beam road lighting equipment.

Statute text
Except as hereinafter provided in this part, the headlights or the auxiliary driving light or the auxiliary passing light or combination thereof on motor vehicles other than motorcycles or motor driven cycles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations, and such lights may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:

(1) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading;
(2) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver;
(3) Every new motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or a motor driven cycle registered in this state which has multiple-beam road lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlights is in use and shall not otherwise be lighted. Such indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.

For PA inspection:
(x) The fog lamps operate with the high beams of the headlamps or are substituted for the low beams.
(xi) The auxiliary driving lamps operate with the low beam of standard headlamp system or alone. (as gene17847 stated)

If you consider the Scottsdale lights as fog lights, then as they were installed they follow item (x) above. Which IMHO makes no sense for the use of fog lights since having the high beams on causes a large amount of light to reflect back at you and makes it harder to see.

From Florida Highway Safety recommendations: DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.

If you consider the Scottsdale lights as driving lights, then as installed they were in violation of (xi).

So..., use common sense and mod at your own risk.