11 Astra J Fog Lights Turns Off Full Beam

[AndrewJG]

It's a bit of a stupid design. But generally not all that significant.
But today it was verging on dangerous.
In my Astra J, I cannot have my full beams on with either the front, or even just rear fog lights at the same time.
If i have my high beams on, then turn on front or rear fog lights, the full beams go off. And if I have my fog lights on, I can't turn on my full beams until I turn off the fog lights.
This morning it was a total monsoon of a torrential downpour, in the dark. So full beams were suitable for front visibility. But a vehicle approaching from behind would have a difficult time seeing me with all the spray. So I really wanted my rear fog light on. But I couldn't! Very annoying!

I need to know?

Is there any way of modifying something to allow me to have my full beams AND fog lights at the same time?

Thanks.

[Shnev91]

Generally speaking there shouldn't be an occasion when you need the fogs and full beam.

I'm guessing if it was spray you were concerned about that you were on a dual carriage way or motorway. On a motorway I would say there is very little need for full beams but yes much need for fogs.

If it was an A road and the weather was as bad as you say then most people would have been going fairly slow surely. In which case the fogs wouldn't be needed as much.

However being an owner of a J myself I fully understand the frustration of not being able to drive the way you want to so that you feel safe. I didn't even realise the rear alone stopped full beam until now.

[tr7v8]

If it is foggy then you don't need main beam, all that happens is the light bounces back. If that isn't the case then you don't need foglights end of....

[Cliftonite]

It is most unlikely that rear fogs are required at night in the rain. Ever.

I am delighted that at least some cars prevent this.

[AndrewJG]

Occasions when I would like both would be very rare of course.
The situation I was in was an A road at night. Absolutely pissin down. The worst rain I've ever been in to be honest. That turbo speed you get with your wipers when you click the stalk all the way up - That was only just cutting it!
So no problem with front visibility for me. High beams are on when nothing coming other way.
But the spray was so bad I couldn't see cars in the mirrors when they passed me. So I can only assume others would see me the same. Or not see me as the case would be. Hence I would like the rear fog light on.
Just to clarify. If it were actually foggy. I don't use the high beams.
And I wouldn't have any need for the front fog lights with high beams. Just the rear would be nice to work alongside.
It's maybe some kind of overload issue with the car? Maybe having so many lights on uses too much power? I don't know.

[heebeegeetee]

AndrewJG said:

Occasions when I would like both would be very rare of course.
The situation I was in was an A road at night. Absolutely pissin down. The worst rain I've ever been in to be honest. That turbo speed you get with your wipers when you click the stalk all the way up - That was only just cutting it!
So no problem with front visibility for me. High beams are on when nothing coming other way.
But the spray was so bad I couldn't see cars in the mirrors when they passed me. So I can only assume others would see me the same. Or not see me as the case would be. Hence I would like the rear fog light on.
Just to clarify. If it were actually foggy. I don't use the high beams.
And I wouldn't have any need for the front fog lights with high beams. Just the rear would be nice to work alongside.
It's maybe some kind of overload issue with the car? Maybe having so many lights on uses too much power? I don't know.

I'd say it's good design (and rare).

In visibility that poor, who is going to come stonking up behind you at a much greater rate of knots? I'd say nobody, because they can't see.

Also, fog lights in rain can cause some real glare, and can mask the effectiveness of brake lights.

So well done Vauxhall, I say.

[StevenB]

I'm sure all car used to be like this (70's) the rear fog light only worked on dip beam. *waits to be corrected ......

[AndrewJG]

Vauxhall have suggested I write a letter to headquarters with my request.
I'll take that as a "No" from them.
I think it is a major job anyway. Not worth it.
Probably involve a custom made, or at least modified circuit board.
Or rewiring to bypass whatever it is that prevents both.
I'll just strap a bike light to the back of the head rest.
(Joking)

[finishing touch]

I have just come in from the garage having just wired my rear fog to the dip beam circuit on my home build car.

This was to rectify one of the items that it failed IVA on.


Paul G

[finishing touch]

I have just come in from the garage having just wired my rear fog to the dip beam circuit on my home build car.

This was to rectify one of the items that it failed IVA on.


Paul G

[bearman68]

I would imagine it's a configuration of the UCH - not a big deal if you can be bothered.

[smileymikey]

tr7v8 said:

If it is foggy then you don't need main beam, all that happens is the light bounces back. If that isn't the case then you don't need foglights end of....

+1

Its illegal and a dangerous distraction. The only reason the plod don't nick more people for it, is that it would mean getting out of the car in the rain.

[finlo]

I think its a good feature, first saw it in the eightys on a Talbot/Chrysler Alpine his rear fogs kept going on and off then I twigged it was when dip/mains were selected.

[finlo]

I think its a good feature, first saw it in the eightys on a Talbot/Chrysler Alpine his rear fogs kept going on and off then I twigged it was when dip/mains were selected.

Edited by finlo on Saturday 28th February 20:39

[Shnev91]

heebeegeetee said:

I'd say it's good design (and rare).

In visibility that poor, who is going to come stonking up behind you at a much greater rate of knots? I'd say nobody, because they can't see.

Also, fog lights in rain can cause some real glare, and can mask the effectiveness of brake lights.

So well done Vauxhall, I say.

I have to agree with you.

[smileymikey]

If you have a motorcycle between you and the numpty with his fogs on in heavy rain. Guess what happens when you don't register the bikers brake lights have come on as quickly as you normally would. The idiot with the fog lights will of course be nowhere to be seen, while your explain to a couple of burly traffic cops why you have just driven over someone.

[AndrewJG]

smileymikey said:

If you have a motorcycle between you and the numpty with his fogs on in heavy rain. Guess what happens when you don't register the bikers brake lights have come on as quickly as you normally would. The idiot with the fog lights will of course be nowhere to be seen, while your explain to a couple of burly traffic cops why you have just driven over someone.

Obviously common sense and good judgement play a part in using fog lights when it's not actually fog.
Personally I only have my rear fog lights on in the rain when nobody is being me. When / if someone does catch up with me. I turn them off. Because at that point my presence is made known. No point in impairing their vision.

[AW10]

Am I the only one who struggles to understand how using main beams in heavy rain actually helps your visibility? I would have thought there's so much glare from the rain reflecting light back at you that you will actually see less of what you're approaching. Things might appear brighter but your real range is reduced. That's what dipped beams and front fogs are for - to prevent that glare that just blinds you.

[tr7v8]

AW10 said:

Am I the only one who struggles to understand how using main beams in heavy rain actually helps your visibility? I would have thought there's so much glare from the rain reflecting light back at you that you will actually see less of what you're approaching. Things might appear brighter but your real range is reduced. That's what dipped beams and front fogs are for - to prevent that glare that just blinds you.

If it is truly foggy then it is sidelights & fog lights. In 40 years of driving most of it around 35-40K a year I have experienced fog that bad probably less than 10 times.

[kambites]

As others have said, I assume the logic is that if visibility is so poor that you need rear foglights on at all, you aren't going fast enough that you can't easily stop in the distance you can see in your dipped beams.

So I think the answer is "use dipped beams and slow down a bit".



The thing which annoys me about modern fog-light design is that on many cars you can't turn on the rear fog-lights without the front ones. That just strikes me as bloody stupid.

Edited by kambites on Monday 2nd March 08:33