How To Install Fog Lights Honda Pilot

This video shows you how to install a factory style fog light kit in a 2003 Honda Pilot which involves cutting part of the front bumper out. I also show you how to adjust the fog lights after installation.
If you’re thinking about installing fog lights on your vehicle, this guide will give you an idea of what you might be looking at to get that done.
Thanks for watching!
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Tools (some are affiliate links)
Body Clip Tool: www.jbtools.com/gearwrench-41...
Work Stand with Padding: amzn.to/342nDmx
Pressure Washer: simpsoncleaning.com/products/...
Center Punch: www.jbtools.com/k-tool-70002-...
Drill: www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...
Drill Bits: www.ttp-hard-drills.net
UniBit: amzn.to/3HaERwx
Body Saw: amzn.to/3rYGwyL
Prep Spray: amzn.to/3p7eilq
Eastwood Chassis Black Paint: www.eastwood.com/ew-extreme-c...
Electrical Contact Cleaner: amzn.to/32DS4Ph
Parts (Some Are Affiliate Links)
Fog Light Kit 1 (For other type of bumper): www.carparts.com/details/Hond...
Fog Light Kit 2 (Just the lights that fit this bumper): shop.redline360.com/products/...
LED Fog Light Bulbs: amzn.to/3AEXsOI
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Stay Dirty
ETCG
0:00 Intro
1:00 Front Bumper Removal
3:11 Front Bumper Disassembly
4:57 Front Bumper Painting
7:19 Fog Light Install Start
10:13 Under hood Wiring
14:55 Under Dash Wiring
20:09 Cutting Front Bumper
25:01 Final Installation
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy®.

[@cheesemons]

That wiring harness from the first fog light kit is so well made. It's hard to find a fog lamp kit with plug and play wiring kit here in Malaysia that fits properly with the original wiring harness.

[@calholli]

You can usually buy the other side of that plug-- that will have 12" pigtails, so at least if you're harness doesn't have the plug, you won't have to cut your factory wiring harness. But that's something you would have to remember to order separately.

[@cheesemons]

Car accessories shop here will cut the original wiring harness in a heartbeat to wire up an aftermarket fog lamp. They did that with my head unit. I didn't realize that until I tore things up to diagnose a bad FM connection.

[@wiimaster2847]

I have to say, I'm not the biggest Pilot fan, but you've done some great work with this Pilot and I like seeing it.

[@calholli]

I have the 2002 Acrua MDX, which is basically the same vehicle; and I have to say that it has really grown on me after driving it a couple of years. Mine has 3 rows of folding heated leather seats; and it really has the utility of a mini van, that looks like a crossover, but drives like a little sports car feel. Especially like in the snow, Acura's AWD system really is useful. I didn't initially like the front end look of the car really, but like I said, it has really grown on me and I love this thing now. That's why I like Eric's vids, these little Honda's and also the Toyota's are really a dialed little package.

[@wiimaster2847]

@@calholli I get that. But I also am not big on SUVs. I prefer the minivans. I own an Odyssey, and I think Honda does a good job of still making it drive a little sporty. The J35 packs quite the punch.

[@calholli]

@@wiimaster2847 Yeah, the undercarriage is still very similar on the minivans' too. My MDX has the 3.5L Vtec.. This thing only has 160k miles and not a single thing is dripping or leaking oil anywhere on it-- absolutely everything works, moon roof, heated mirrors and heated leather seats, even has an Alpine or Clarion stereo *(I forget, at the moment lol).. And I snagged this thing from a young kid and his rich mom on craigslist for only $1700.. still has 90% tire tread all around. lol. So you can see why I LOVE this thing. I got it for such a steal. zero rust- we don't get rust here in Oklahoma.

[@wiimaster2847]

@@calholli yep, I'm in Texas, no rust here. Best part about your MDX and my 06 Odyssey is no VCM junk to kill the engine.

[@calholli]

@@wiimaster2847 Yeah..that's the worst

[@bsmith193]

Wow that was way more work than I imagined!

[@ericthecarguy]

Me too actually.

[@oldsranch]

Well done! Thank you for such an illuminating video showing how to navigate the darkness of this project. It was a shining star in the fog light installation world. Considering other people's videos, it was a nice switch! (I'll go sit down now)

[@edharry3984]

Eric ,a really good job ! Aftermarket Bumper covers are typically not an exact match, You must make them fit. I have over 40 years experience as a licensed Auto Damage Appraiser , The Insurance Companies made us write our appraisals with these aftermarket covers . We all knew their fit {aftermarket bumper covers} was poor . Many shops had to go the extra effort to make them work. Unfortunately Policy holders damaged bumper covers so often after a while it did not matter. On my own vehicles I repaired bumper covers when I could or bought used {OEM } ones first, Aftermarket was always , { A last Choice }.......EH.

[@ericthecarguy]

I completely understand. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2a1g32Qp82eeKs Thanks for the comment.

[@adelkheir]

By far my favorite modifications to do on a car is to add options that the manufacturer has obviously prepped the car to accept it but was not installed as it was an option. Like fog lamps or rear electric windows installation. You'd think that it would be a hassle to add these to a car only to find out that the factory wiring harness is already prepped to work with what you're trying to install and even have the holes for the buttons already there ready to be installed.

[@frankmuschetto3385]

Nice job, Eric. Showing all that you went through is really helpful. Final job looks just fine.

[@Erik_Swiger]

I love the fact that Eric, with all his years of experience, gets parts in a kit and says, "What in the world is this"" Makes me feel better as a backyard mechanic. lol

[@WestYorkshireGuy1]

I agree with you Eric. I prefer yellow bulbs in the fog lights. They don't dazzle in the rain and the bounce back in fog and snow is much less. I also think they look different to other peoples lights.

[@agostinodibella9939]

Nice job Eric 👍 That bumper design sure made it a lot tougher than other vehicles. I put fog lights on a ‘07 & ‘09 RAV4. They both had the fog light blank panels which made the install much easier. The wiring is always fun!

[@Jedi_Luke]

Great job, now it's time to add a light bar in that rectangle opening on the bumper under the Honda logo.

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Nice install Eric. Seems no matter what you ADD to a vehicle, there is always a challenge that comes up that one needs to improvise and change on the run. Good job sir. The black paint really looks nice. Big Al.

[@calholli]

In the end, they do look awesome, your bumper looks great. My 2002 MDX already had fog lights when I bought it. lol. It must have been a super luxury package; it has everything--- even had a remote start-- but I ended up removing all that stuff.

[@dav8388]

Fitment issues are why I always buy the OE kit. Yes you pay more but it just works so much better.

[@ericthecarguy]

No longer available for this vehicle unfortunately.

[@southernautodiy2643]

Now it's a 2003 Honda Pilot EX 🤣, Love the video Eric!

[@ericthecarguy]

Actually, it always was because it's AWD. I believe the fog lights for these first generations were always a dealer option.

[@ziononmymind7569]

That bumper is no joke. I have a 2005 and I put Niilight pods in the space in front of the radiator (aimed to the left and right so I dont blind anyone.) They help alot.

[@jmaxim80]

Great job Eric the front end looks wonderful

[@Ram14250]

Looks really Good! Good work Eric... very professional looking job.

[@inspectorraycharles]

So, I installed a similar fog light kit into my 09 6-6 . I installed a relay with a heavy gage wire to my battery positive side with a fuse. I used xenon bulbs with high quality ballasts. I pointed them low and towards the ditch. Much better than led bulbs in the same kit on.my Crosstour. I bought the yellow bulbs which are much better in fog and rain than the blue color.

[@matteugenio]

Thanks for this video! Can’t wait to get the fog light kit for my 2004!

[@carlobelly9476]

Finally a proper fog light install! Thanks for the video!

[@Motorsportsgeek]

Ah great timing, just received my foglight kit for my yaris, thanks for the tips!

[@codycrawford2385]

Pull a part had the inside harness and switch thankfully, I got the under hood harness and god lights from eBay from a 2005 Pilot

[@jerryrounds8586]

Looks good Eric. Thanks for the video.

[@dadtype2339]

Thumbs up always, I'm sorry I'm so late to the party that the guests have left and gone! I've been fighting COVID since the 9th, my new year started off interesting. That's how it goes usually in my experience EC, anytime I go into make something better or improve upon, or fix, other mini side projects pop up along the way. Nice job, and we are also our biggest critics as we know where the mistakes are. Just don't tell, see if they see them, like a game of Eye Spy lol.

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Eric enjoy watching your wonderful videos very entertaining and educational videos I am watching from South Africa

[@tspbod260]

The pumper looks really good 👍.

[@calholli]

I'm actually shocked at how complicated this wiring is for something as simple as this could be. After seeing this, I think I would likely just run my own independent system from an aux power and just put in a simple switch to run a simple relay and wire that straight to the lights. That way they still turn off when you turn the key off, but you bypass all these 'system harnesses, and just keep it basically manual. and I would be tempted for it to just be a light bar mounted in the center. lol.

[@ericthecarguy]

I agree. It did seem like a lot of unnecessary circuitry.

[@caddyguy5369]

Thanks for the info about fog lights being on with the brights being illegal. I knew they generally turn off when the brights go on, but didn't realize it was a law. Looked up the statute for my state and sure enough. I just wired some up for my friend a couple weeks ago. I informed him, but he's not too worried. That said, if he decides he wants to, I will cover the cost of the additional relay to interrupt when the brights turn on as it was my ignorance of the law.

[@squirrelkilla7371]

All you need to do is check with the State Patrol in your state or check the driving manual you can get at the BMV.

[@caddyguy5369]

@@squirrelkilla7371 State revisor of statutes website doesn't require me to talk to anyone or go anywhere. ;-)

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

Notification squad, Have a nice weekend!🔥🔥🔥

[@arielatom03]

You too 🤘

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

@@arielatom03 Thank you so much!👍🏻

[@ericthecarguy]

You too!

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

@@ericthecarguy Thank you so much!🎉🎉🎉

[@PRO4XKEV]

Looks good, well done.

[@mds2465]

I had to replace the factory fog lights on my former 06 Pilot (same body style as yours with a few suttle differences), as well as my 2014 CR-V. What an abortion that was! I honestly should've just pulled the bumper like you did here because doing it blindly from underneath was such a cow! My 2011 Pilot, on the other hand, was so much easier to do because the fog light covers just pop out from the front and it takes 2 seconds to swap the bulbs out. I wish they had just done that from the beginning.

[@eladioflores3748]

Eric your videos are awesome I don’t have a 2003 pilot I do have a 2015 and love the information you give us. I wish you could turbo/supercharger my pilot. Thanks again for all this great info on the video’s. Eladio

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Eric the OG car guy

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

It always works out As should be a simple job and then Shiz gets real and becomes super complicated that's just the life for us Mechanics Eric @EricTheCarGuy

[@aticuss]

Thanks for sharing.

[@woodsontr]

I like that! Looks good. 😀👍

[@ronh1752]

I'm sorry Eric, but I've been watching your channel for a while, and both you and I started out looking handsome and dashing, but now we are wearing glasses and have more more gray hair than we did before, lol. (Well, the hair we have is more gray, anyway. . ) Thanks for making them!

[@ericthecarguy]

We're not dead yet. 😉

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

Looks great.

[@chrishudson3242]

I jus start watching I Love it

[@Erik_Swiger]

You talked about making sure you've got the right part, and it reminded me. My day job is at a glass shop, and we do automotive glass. Someone brought in a Kia, and it has become the bane of our existence. It needed a passenger-door glass, and a regulator. Turns out, the regulator is the entire plastic structural panel in the door. Okay, we go to source that, and give them the VIN, and they state that there are two possible regulators for that car. Uh, no. That VIN is unique to that car, so there should be zero argument about what equipment is in it. And then we get the regulator, and a part's missing. Then we have to get a new motor, on the NEW regulator, and I don't even know where the saga is now. The Lesson: Buy Honda and Toyota

[@caddyguy5369]

They probably just pulled the make and model from the VIN, not the specific build list for that particular car would be my guess. Resulting in two options.

[@ericthecarguy]

That sounds like your typical auto repair nightmare because of bad or wrong parts. Sorry you had to deal with that. Good hunting.

[@jdhern9078]

Good video

[@mdmcolt]

Enjoyed 👍👍

[@CrazyPetez]

Nice job, the front end of your Pilot looks great. Mr. Negative here wonders why anyone would want fog lights. I’ve had several vehicles factory equipped with them. Never use them as I think they are worthless. But that’s just me.

[@caddyguy5369]

Have you encountered heavy fog or snow? A river valley when conditions are just right? One thing that is underestimated in my opinion is cornering lights. I want to mod some of them into the truck I recently got. It's been so long that I had a vehicle without them that I forgot how nice it was having lights that turn on with the blinkers or when the wheel is turned so far.

[@caddyguy5369]

I imagine the particular fog lights in question would impact how well they seem to work though. What vehicles have you had with them?

[@CrazyPetez]

@@caddyguy5369 Tule Fog in the Sacramento velvet is about as thick as fog gets. To me fog lights are totally useless. But I know most folks like them.

[@caddyguy5369]

@@CrazyPetez Fair enough. Just curious.

[@saddiquemohammad8702]

Good job👍💞👍

[@cstar2839]

Nice job. I have a 2002 CR-V that I would like to do a complete wiring harness replacement. Do you have a tutorial on something like that?

[@Avrelivs_Gold]

It's hard to believe that Honda made it so elaborate for this SUV. Newer cars did this properly so clients could opt for more options as dealers could install expensive additional equipment fast and easy. Nowadays I don't see fog lights, as they use DRL for everything

[@ericthecarguy]

Actually, this isn't that difficult with the correct parts. At least in my view. Thanks for the comment.

[@kicknsystm]

With regards to the H emblem. I have a 94 Del-sol Si & I found a great deal on one on ebay.

[@theejoeylee]

Yeah I've bit off a pretty big chunk to chew when I decided to put fog lights in my 07 Civic EX. I had to cut the bumper apart and everything

[@timbrown9731]

Good job ETCG1 those are a pain in the butt to install I can only imagine just the other day I help my buddy install Timing belt on a late model J series Honda man that crank bolt was in there he was able to borrow a special socket that from his other buddy that is a Honda tech talk about a thick ass socket! Also Eric, I wonder how soda blasting would’ve done on that plastic Honda emblem versus sandblasting i’m assuming it’s probably plastic?

[@l1089624]

Aftermarket switches marked for the 2nd-gen CR-Vs also do not fit. For mine I sanded down the edges of the button itself, there was enough plastic material to do so and remain sturdy enough. It was tricky keeping the curvature of the rounded corners. Then I painted the exposed white plastic edges the sanding revealed with black paint, and it fit the opening just fine. I believe the button is just too tall for the opening but the width was just fine.

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Eric should try a nice cherry red on the Emblem

[@streetfighters805]

I would’ve wanted the fogs to turn independently from the headlights.. at least at DRL setting.. 😢👏👏nevertheless great job

[@shafi10a]

I have purchased this kit over a year ago and couldn’t figure it for the life of me even though I have installed several fog light kits on Toyotas. So thank you so so much for this video! I do want to ask why the first fog light bracket wouldn’t have worked? I seem to have the exact kit and am not sure why the original fog lights wouldn’t fit your bumper ?

[@gcfdxfzsd]

Good morning!

[@ericthecarguy]

Morning!

[@diegocabrera8307]

Hey man! Where can I buy just the wiring for the fog lamps ( the male connector with the plugs for the fog lights) thanks!

[@ganeshnarayan5505]

Great video Eric. do they make fog light wiring harness like this one for 06 Honda odyssey.

[@ericthecarguy]

Honestly I don't know, but I suspect they do.

[@basil30]

Maybe pick an original switch from salebay or scrap yard. Good job Eric loving the black Honda badge 👍

[@ericthecarguy]

That can work but you'll need to change the connector. The OE connector, and the switch connector for this kit are different.

[@basil30]

@@ericthecarguy typical 🙄

[@kgmechanic7356]

Good 💯

[@edwardkareem6446]

Hey Eric I just bought a gen2 Honda pilot 2013 with 90,000 miles what are some things I should look for or watch out for I'm trying to make this vehicle last a good while

[@mitchellyeaman5052]

Do they make a Break tool to install the break springs on shoes on a 97 yukon.one that install the springs without killing yourself. A tool with a lot of leverage. 97 4by4 yukon drum breaks

[@hasankhalid1204]

hello Eric, hope u r doing good i have an 2008 honda accord i have engine code its P0011 i dont know if its the VTC Actuator or VTC solenoid. if you can help me diagnose i would appreciate

[@Sam9wilson9]

Could you foresee any reason why my cruise control won’t work after doing this? Is there anything in the chain that could be related? Kind of random but thanks for any input!!

[@ericthecarguy]

Not sure, but the cruise control switch is right next to the fog light switch. Maybe check the connection.

[@zulubuilds5250]

KEEP IT ON

[@penguinseth]

Does a Honda Element from around the same year also have a factory harness for the fog light kit? That would be really awesome if it did so preferably I don't have to cut and splice any wires.

[@MusicBent]

Idk for sure about the element, but it be done this mod on the first two generations of CR-V and it’s basically the same process. The bumper has all the screw holes and the wiring harness is ready for adding fog lights. The dash should already have a place for an oem button to go for the fog lights.

[@ericthecarguy]

Video linked in the description for Honda Element fog light installation.

[@PirateMTH_ToddH]

Thanks Eric. Another well made and informative video including real world solutions to inevitable issues.

[@pachillidundungizmooo3815]

Hi Where are you buying parts for your Honda Pilot? I am from Europe, and I'm not sure where i should buy that things. Greetings

[@PhuocNguyen-qm9uh]

remember that was aftermarket bumper the markings on there is not accurate then oem and that why there was a gap under the foglight

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Those switches are a pain to remove on the Element 🥵

[@markjordan4994]

Excellent results, but a whole lot of work to get there.

[@alvinbaker8137]

not that I can't find one, but the link for the body clip tool no longer working

[@nighthawkj30A4]

Is there a way to make them stay on with the brights on

[@ericthecarguy]

Don't use the harness that comes with the kit and make your own bypassing the headlights.

[@ryang5441]

Looks like I’ll be getting the second kit and an aftermarket light bar wiring harness, not as clean as this install but especially with that button not working like OE It doesn’t make sense to me to spend the extra $200 for a car this old

[@henrylee2964]

How do we install fog lights for a 2005 Honda odyssey?

[@soldiersvejk2053]

10:33 I think this is the so called "pre-wired" fog lamps. It is really not a bad idea to check out if your car has that. Not everyone does (e.g. my Toyota Yaris).

[@calholli]

Worse case scenario, if that switch ends up failing you-- you could pop in your little gray plastic cover that was previously in the switch hole, and then you could drill through it for a more common round switch or even a toggle switch if you had to; doesn't look as integrated of course.

[@Audi197]

honda related but I have a 2011 honda crv with 74k on it and the steering wheel is extremely hard to turn no matter what way you turn the wheel. I'm wondering what's wrong and if anyone can help

[@michaelblacktree]

I have a soft spot for yellow / amber fog lights. Most of my vehicles end up with them.

[@2fast4all]

aka JDM yellow!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Came out great 👍 👌love how the bumper came out also @EricTheCarGuy

[@TheHellsing98]

What connector are the fog lights?

[@dadefope80]

@18:49 Whoa! Be careful, Eric.

[@MACISZCZ1]

Normally it's plug n play, however in real world it's rather -plug, pray , saw, measure , pray again , cut out adjust , modify, get angry , have lunch and then you ready 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@710pappy]

Congrats you Ohio’ens don’t need a pointless front plate anymore 🤙🏻 And yeah Florida law requires fog lights extinguish when high beams come on 🤓

[@jcbecker2800]

when did ohio get rid of that? My MIL still has hers on her suburban.

[@710pappy]

@@jcbecker2800 I saw 7/1/21 when I looked it up

[@ZayedGR]

while I'm in there

[@MACISZCZ1]

so step one- remove engine and transmision assembly

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes.

[@MACISZCZ1]

@@ericthecarguy I though so too 🤣 i would like to thank you fopr years of teaching and hard working. Greetings from Belgium

[@jamesg9936]

I remember changing these bulbs on a 2003 was a nightmare. It was horrible. I think honda ended up doing it instead it was worth whatever it cost to shove the job off on someone else

[@Zak6959]

Time to MacGyver. Make it work, etc.

[@squirrelkilla7371]

Nope. That's a CAPA or Platinum Plus bumper cover from LKQ

[@kgmechanic7356]

I'm india 🇮🇳

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Morning Sir

[@drewruf3178]

The switches in these kits are terrible, they don't fit and don't light up correctly. Thankfully the rest of it is pretty good. What I always do is track down an oem fog switch with pigtail and wire that in.

[@bertrandlussier8150]

Its unfair, you had no problem to find a fog light kit for your 2003 and i can't find a kit for my Element SC 2009! :(

[@ericthecarguy]

See the video linked in the description. It might be the same kit.

[@bertrandlussier8150]

@@ericthecarguy the link for the fog light kit for the Element does not work

[@ericthecarguy]

Try this one. www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/AC/7014-07521314.html

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Pretty nice plug and play harness @EricTheCarGuy

[@mr.heinsenberg2472]

this is the most complicated fog light installation , I have ever seen

[@themechanic6117]

I'm sure you've learned to never pressure spray a panel that been painted. There's a good chance the paint will come off just like yours did. I've seen paint come off in sheets with just compressed air. If it's not factory paint I'll just wash it by hand

[@fallnsaint7909]

Why you still use ASE bits? Metrics on metrics is so much easier. Stop hating life.

[@retroguardian4802]

No hate man but you need to set down and think what is and isn't working. The content has been awful.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

The second fog light kit is way better on the brackets then the first kit I think they gray looks good next to the black and silver bit nothing wrong with black matching fog housings @EricTheCarGuy