[ontheebrink]

I have some wiring hanging behind the front wheel well access panel that looks like it should plug into something. My fog lights don't work so I am guessing this might be part of the problem. Any Idea where this connection goes? It's coming down from behind the right headlight.

 

[ontheebrink]

OK this looks like it's the daytime running light connector. The socket is not there. Either the previous owner pulled it out and threw it away or it did not come with one. The only replacements I see available are for 2015, 2016, and 2018, not 2017. Did they not include these in 2017? Can I use a 2018 socket in it's place? This is kind of an odd thing to do as both are missing.

2015-2018 Mopar Lamp Socket 68285062AA | MoparPart

2015-2018 Mopar Lamp Socket 68285062AA

www.moparpart.com

 

[Marek K]

Welcome!

Weren't the DRLs in your Renegade integrated into the turn-signal housings -- circled in red here?

Yeah, it's not unlikely that the previous owner didn't like DRLs, and just unplugged them -- I don't have a wiring diagram, so I can't confirm.

What do you meant "[t]he socket is not there"?

And any idea why your fog lights aren't working?

 

[ontheebrink]

Yes, there are two bulbs, one for the turn signal and one for the running lights. Each bulb has a socket to fit into that connects to a plug. The running light socket is missing on both sides, the turn signal socket and bulb is still there. Either the previous owner removed them or they were never installed.

I ordered a couple on ebay in the hope they work. They look like the right fit for the plug.

I haven't been able to trace down the fog light issue yet. Both bulbs are fine and the indicator on the dash shows up when turned on.

 

[Marek K]

Yes, there are two bulbs, one for the turn signal and one for the running lights. Each bulb has a socket to fit into that connects to a plug. The running light socket is missing on both sides, the turn signal socket and bulb is still there. Either the previous owner removed them or they were never installed.

Interesting that the sockets could be removed from the housings. Yeah, I'd bet the previous owner removed them -- though why he didn't just unplug the wiring is a mystery.

I haven't been able to trace down the fog light issue yet. Both bulbs are fine and the indicator on the dash shows up when turned on.

That's strange. Silly question, but are you sure the high beams aren't switched on? That would disable the fog lights -- they're only supposed to be used with low beams.

If there was something wrong with the circuits, you'd be getting a bulb-out warning...

 

[ontheebrink]

Interesting that the sockets could be removed from the housings. Yeah, I'd bet the previous owner removed them -- though why he didn't just unplug the wiring is a mystery.



That's strange. Silly question, but are you sure the high beams aren't switched on? That would disable the fog lights -- they're only supposed to be used with low beams.

If there was something wrong with the circuits, you'd be getting a bulb-out warning...
View attachment 2396356061

At least leave the socket in to keep water and dirt from going into the housing but, I digress.

I fixed the fog lights. Passenger side connector was dirty due to the wheel well panel missing. The bulb was missing and the plug was just sitting there getting road grime on it. I replaced the housing as it was messed up on the inside, cleaned the plug, and it worked. The other bulb was broken so I just replaced it. I thought it looked good but I was wrong. I have also manufactured a new panel out of aluminum which should help cut down on the dirt flying into the area. I guess I really didn't need to ask the original question but oh well. Now to find somebody to laser cut a new key for less than $160

 

[Marek K]

I fixed the fog lights.

Glad to hear that. But question still remains, why wasn't the bulb-out warning illuminated on your dashboard?

 

[ontheebrink]

Glad to hear that. But question still remains, why wasn't the bulb-out warning illuminated on your dashboard?

I couldn't tell you. One was an LED and the other wasn't lighting at all due to a dirty connection. Maybe the warning light only works with some resistance in the system. I haven't drove it since getting them working. Maybe it will come on then. I'm still missing the running lights until I get the replacement sockets. It could be that they removed the sockets due to a constant warning light. I'm not going to worry about it until I get everything back to normal.

 

[Marek K]

Maybe the warning light only works with some resistance in the system.

If the system is similar to VW's cold- and warm-diagnosis system for bulbs, the "cold" part works by sending tiny voltage signals through each light circuit upon start-up, whether the lights are switched on or not -- not enough voltage to light the bulbs, but just enough to tell if there's a circuit or not (i.e., burned-out bulb filament).

The "warm" part works by monitoring lights when they're on, to see if current is still running through them. In either case, if something's burned out, the bulb-out warning comes on.

That's with incandescent bulbs and, I think, OEM HID headlights if equipped. It doesn't it works with LEDs; in fact, I've got European LED tail lights on our two VW Mk5's, and I had to disable the diagnosis system on just the tail lights by re-coding so I wouldn't get false errors.

I'm not sure whether the Renegade's diagnosis system is similar; but I'd assume so.

If there were aftermarket LED bulbs in your fog lights, I have no idea how the system would have handled those. Cheap LEDs often cause false warnings.

Anyway, try putting normal halogen bulbs into your fog lights when you get everything back together and see how they work. Please let us know.

 

[ontheebrink]

I got the replacement sockets and now I have one daytime running light working. It looks like the passenger side connector is bad/corroded from being exposed to road grime. I am ordering a replacement. Still no warning light showing up. One more light to fix and hopefully I'm done with it.