2000 Sable fog lamp probs!

[saeric]

I purchased this vehicle (LS) a few months back, and never even noticed until recently that the car has fog lamps. They don't work when I turn on the headlights, and there isn't a separate control for them. From what I've read, the LS should have a control inside the vehicle alongside the headlight switch. Is it possible that the previous owner replaced the switch with one from the basic Sable, thus disabling the fog lamps? It appears that at some point the vehicle had a front-end collision.

[umina]

Originally Posted by saeric

I purchased this vehicle (LS) a few months back, and never even noticed until recently that the car has fog lamps. They don't work when I turn on the headlights, and there isn't a separate control for them. From what I've read, the LS should have a control inside the vehicle alongside the headlight switch. Is it possible that the previous owner replaced the switch with one from the basic Sable, thus disabling the fog lamps? It appears that at some point the vehicle had a front-end collision.

To turn on the fog lights, you cannot use the automatic lamp position (nob turned to the left one click from center. Instead, turn the headlight nob all the way to the right (clockwise), and then PULL it out. This will turn on the fog lights, and you should see an orange fog lamp indicator on the dial. The fogs will turn off when the high beams are on as well, but turn back on when low beams are engaged again. Its too bad they cannot be used in conjunction with the automatic headlights, but oh well. Give it a try!

[saeric]

I tried your recommendation but the knob does not pull out, no matter what position it is in. All pulling did for me was remove the knob! =) If the LS light controls are supposed to function that way, is it possible then that the controls were replaced by one from the lower-end model? It's just wierd to me that there's no obvious way to turn them on, and the owner's manual shows that model's with fog lamps have a separate control.

[umina]

wierd....
I've got an '01, and the nob pulls out, but only in the manual headlights "on" position (two clicks to the right). I'm nearly positive the 2000 has the exact same switch. Its possible it was switched with a different one. If thats the case, grab the correct model from a junk yard and see how it works out.

[saeric]

It's definitely a weird situation. If I didn't clarify earlier, the car is an LS Premium (if it makes a difference). The car does NOT have automatic headlights, and the interior control is just a 3-position switch; OFF, Parking lights, and headlights. To the right of that switch is a wheel-type switch for dimming interior lights. Very basic control. From what I've researched, it seems to me that this model of the Sable should have auto-headlights AND foglight control. Does it sound then like the switch was just replaced??

[umina]

Originally Posted by saeric

It's definitely a weird situation. If I didn't clarify earlier, the car is an LS Premium (if it makes a difference). The car does NOT have automatic headlights, and the interior control is just a 3-position switch; OFF, Parking lights, and headlights. To the right of that switch is a wheel-type switch for dimming interior lights. Very basic control. From what I've researched, it seems to me that this model of the Sable should have auto-headlights AND foglight control. Does it sound then like the switch was just replaced??

Yah, i'd lean towards the wrong switch being installed. Mine's an LSP as well, and it has auto headlights which were standard on the "premium" LS model. You should have alittle black bubble in the center of your dash near the windshield if you do in fact have auto lights. This is the light sensor that determines when to turn on the auto lights. If you don't see this, than who knows, maybe in 2000 the standard equip for the LSP was different....

[saeric]

Hmmm....well, the sensor for the lights IS indeed there on the dash. I guess the only possibility then is that the wrong switch was installed. For what reason, it'd be hard to guess! Thanks for your help.