5th Gen 4Runner Fog Light Bypass

Step by Step overview on the 4Runner Fog Light Bypass

Pictured above – Fog Lights and Running Lights

Would you like to know how to turn your fog lights on without turning on your headlights?

After doing some research, I did find a method that works for using your fog lights without having your headlights (low beams) on. The process that I found did lack some details on what to expect after the fog lights are bypassed.

I’m sharing my experience with everyone so to save you time and money on required tools and supplies.

As I said, this method does work. The process is fairly easy as well given you have a basic understanding of wiring.

Before you proceed, make sure you have these tools:

Tools Suggested for Install

• Panel removal tools or flat head
• Wire cutter, scissors or knife
• Crimper
• 10-mm socket wrench and six-inch extension
• Electrical wire
• Heat-shrink tubing
• One or two Mini fuse tap (if you connected a sPOD or Switch Pros at your P/outlet or FOG FR then you need 2)
• One or two Dorman T-tap (terminal wire) use for the white and gray wire
• Soldering Iron and lead or heat applied solder connectors
• 16-gauge wire (6″ black and brown)
• 16-gauge wire (12″ white wire)

Steps to bypass the 5th Gen 4Runner fog lights

Remove the panels from the dash

Take off the dash panels. You will want to remove both lower panels which includes one somewhat connected to the floor. You can see more details previously posted here. This also includes the steering wheel cover.

(Note: take the lower dash panel; silver for SR5 and black panel, if you have the trail or pro; it’s easy, just be careful.)

Look for a dark gray wire under the steering wheel

Once all the panels are off, look for a dark gray wire under the steering wheel.

The gray wire has a white connector at the end.

Disconnect the gray wire from the white connector.

You will see a black and brown wire, cut the connector, you don’t need it. You will need to cut the connector between the black and brown wires.

Locate the white and gray stripe wire

Now look for the main ECU located at the bottom left (foot brake).

Locate the white and gray stripe wire. This will connect to your relay (30 pin).

Mount the Relay

Use a 12 volt 30 or 40 Amp fuse relay. This relay has 4 pins 87/87a, 86, 85 and 30.

Look for a good spot to permanently attach your fuse relay (mine is located beside the turn signal relay).

You are now ready to connect all wires. I use heat-shrink tubing. But if you don’t have shrink tubing, you can use electrical tape to cover the exposed wires.

Add the 6-inch, 16-gauge wire to the black and brown wire coming out from the steering wheel.

The brown wire connects to the 86 pin fuse relay.

The black wire is ground make sure you have a good ground.

Next, locate the ECU and look for the white/gray wire connect that to the fuse relay use the 16-gauge twelve inches’ white wire and the T-tap. This wire connects to fuse 30 pin relay.

You’re almost done. Just two more wires to connect.

Locate the P/OUTLET & Fog FR on the Mini Fuse Box

Underneath your steering wheel, look for the fuse box. This fuse box is the mini fuses.

If you installed a Switch Pro or Spod, you will need aT-tap for the P/OUTLET.

If you haven’t installed anything in the P/OUTLET slot, you will use a mini fuse tap.

You need two of these. 

One wire will go to the P/OUTLET and the other will go to the Fog FR. For the Fog FR, you will more than likely use a mini fuse tap.

Finish the install

Connect the 85 pin using the mini fuse tap to the P/OUTLET with the right fuse which is 15 amps. You can use a 10 amp or 5 amps’ mini fuse.

Then connect the last pin which is 87 pin using the mini fuse tap and the FOG FR. Remember to use the 15-amp fuse here.

Time to test

Before re-connecting all the panels and cleaning all the extra wires, do a test run. Insert your key and turn the ignition on. Make sure that your fog light switch is on.

Remember that you connected the 85 pin to the P/OUTLET which is the ignition. Hence, the need to turn your keys.

Once you turn your key off, the fog lights will turn off. You can still use your fog light switch to turn it on or off while your keys are in the ignition.

No fog light icon on the dashboard?

Don’t go crazy if you don’t see your fog light icon on the dashboard. This will not turn on since you bypassed the wire coming from the steering wheel. Once everything lights up and you’ve cleared all the wires, and you can now return all the panels back into place.

Now you’re done! Now you have fog lights without having to turn on your headlights.

Just be sure your keys are turned in the ‘ignition on’ position for the lights to be on. To turn it off, just use your fog light switch located on your steering wheel.

I hope this method is as easy and effective as it was for me.