Annihilate

iTrader: (1)

So, I am making a little bezel for a couple of lights on my instrument panel. I need to convert the big fog light switch to a smaller one. Like the ones shown below. How can I do this without having any wires running to hot? Any help please. Thanks! Also, the best kind of switches suggested for this? I am running HIDs in the fogs if that makes a difference. I have to be able to fit 4 switches on there though. So they have to be pretty small. Thanks!

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

A switch is inline with the load. Wiring for a simple on/off switch is either:
+12 - load/light/etc - switch - ground
or
+12 - switch - load/light/etc - ground
with each "-" being a wire.

Or did you mean "too hot"? As in drawing too much current through the switch? In that case, you wire the switch to control a relay at low power, and the relay controls higher power to the light(s).
Check the power rating on the new switches you want to use. A good rule of thumb is the fuse supplying power to the switch is less than the switch rating.

Annihilate

iTrader: (1)

Do you know the stock power rating of the stock switch?
Also, I was mainly confused because the stock switch has 4 little prongs. Why does it need so many? Shown here. How can I convert the wires from the 4 prong to a 2 or 3 prong?

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

AustinThirdGen shows a 5 wire connection, middle right side of image.

You need two at a minimum:
Brown = +12V when the lights are on.
Brown/White = this supplies low power to the relay.

The others are extra, IF these are the same on your car:
Grey = light that is lit with the other dash lights.
Black = ground
Purple = light that is lit when the foglights are turned on.

Annihilate

iTrader: (1)

[QUOTE=MoJoe;5741998]AustinThirdGen shows a 5 wire connection, middle right side of image.

You need two at a minimum:
Brown = +12V when the lights are on.
Brown/White = this supplies low power to the relay.

The others are extra, IF these are the same on your car:
Grey = light that is lit with the other dash lights.
Black = ground
Purple = light that is lit when the foglights are turned on.

/snip

So I don't need the ground hooked up? How many volts/amps should the switch be?

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

Ground - No. If you are replacing the lighted switch with a simple SPST (Single Pole, Single Throw = one circuit on/off switch) switch, then no. The circuit has the + side of the relay interrupted...
+12 to switch to relay to ground.

Switch should be a minimum of 12V, but could be rated up to hundreds. Amp will probably be in the 3A-5A range, with less than 1A being sufficient for this situation.

Annihilate

iTrader: (1)

Perfect thanks.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Amps dont really matter for a switch that just activates a relay. Relays dont take much current to operate.

Annihilate

iTrader: (1)

Okay, I don't have a brown/white wire. All I have is Grey, Brown, Purple, and Black.

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

I'd say just use the brown wire for the low + supply to the relay. IIRC this is how/why the fog lights only work once you've turned the parking lights on (as well as with the headlights).