Im not a pro, but maybe you will know

[801coppertop]

So after installing a new guibo, csb, shift bushings, and fixing reverse wiring on my car the fog lights stopped working. The weird part is that they actual housing is still getting power. Only when i plug in the H3 bulb does it short out. Has anyone ever experienced this or am i the only one. The bulbs are new so i know they aren't the issue. Is there something i am overlooking. As said in the title im not a pro so any help would be appreciated.

[spdracrm3]

"the actual housing is still getting power" how do you know this .are you testing with a voltmeter or test light? should be 12v positive to bulb yellow/brn wire(left) and yellow/voilet (right) on my IX and a brown ground at at second pin of two pins of fog light connectors .make sure someone hasn't messed with wiring and wired them backwards!

"Only when i plug in the H3 bulb does it short out" what do you mean by short out ? does it blow the fuse ? or the bulb just doesnt light up if you have good voltage and bulb's wont light you might have a bad ground

if you understand wiring diagrams you can download your cars electronic troubleshooting manual here

http://www.wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

[801coppertop]

Yes im using a voltometer. I get a reading of about 13 volts with no light plugged in. The second I plug it an and test the same spots my voltometer reading goes to zero. Everything is wired correctly as they have worked in the past. That's what's blowing my mind.

[jrobie79]

maybe the bulb itself? or the socket the bulb plugs into?

[spdracrm3]

sounds like you have a voltage drop on the power side then (resistance in the circuit ) low enough that with no load you have voltage present but with load applied not enough current can flow to power the lights . fastest test would be to run a jumper wire from 12v power to the bulb power terminal if it lights ok you know your ground side is ok and focus on finding the problem in the power side of the circuit . you can try swaping the K8 fog relay with the K3 high beam relay to eliminate the relay as a problem.

[801coppertop]

sounds like you have a voltage drop on the power side then (resistance in the circuit ) low enough that with no load you have voltage present but with load applied not enough current can flow to power the lights . fastest test would be to run a jumper wire from 12v power to the bulb power terminal if it lights ok you know your ground side is ok and focus on finding the problem in the power side of the circuit . you can try swaping the K8 fog relay with the K3 high beam relay to eliminate the relay as a problem.

I was about to try switching the relays as you suggested but k8 and k3 have different prongs. Could i be looking at the wrong thing? I was in the fuse box.

[AndrewBird]

Buy a test light! Voltmeters are used to see how much voltage you are getting, not for seeing IF you are getting it. Many misleading things can happen when using a meter like it is a light.

[spdracrm3]

as long as it has the same outer 4 pins in the same orientation and pin numbers are the same (other relay might have extra pin in center ) your good.check that outer pins 85,86 ,30 and 87 are in same place/and are aligned the same the relay will work the same .

did you try powering the lamp directly?

if you have a voltage drop this is exactly why you use a voltmeter and not a test lamp as it wont tell you !!!! you can read the first few pages of all BMW ETMs on how to perform voltage and voltage drop testing (in the "how to use this manual") section. dont see any test lights being used! he's using the right tool...

[801coppertop]

Ok I will check that out. Btw I did also try a test light. Lol. I will test out switching the relays again... also if it is the relay where is the best place to get a new one.

[spdracrm3]

you can get used ones at local wrecking yard and maybe even out of an E30

or possibly a local parts store/dealer for new just be sure to match up pins