Fourth red tail light?

AdelaideTJ

AdelaideTJ

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Joined
Jan 6, 2023
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Location
Adelaide, Australia
I was looking at my TJ the other day and wondered about the fourth red light on the back end and what it is for. It appears to be a factory accessory but I haven't seen it on a lot on other TJs, though many have custom rear bars and mine is still stock. I have an export TJ (Australia), so wondering if this is standard to TJs or something unusual. Is it related to towing?
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Must be an export thing because I have never seen a tj with that light. Maybe aftermarket as you said?
 
It seems to be on a factory wire harness, at least the loom is the same as found elsewhere all over the TJ, unless it was matched really well. It also doesn't seem to light up with brakes, lights etc. I will take a closer look at the wire path tomorrow but I'm wondering if it only works when there is a trailer hitched, as the wiring loom seems to run back toward the middle along the stock rear bumper where the tow plug is. Always just thought it was a little odd.
 
ColoJeep said:
It's a rear " fog " lamp.
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I agree with @ColoJeep that it's a "rear" fog light. I bet if you turn the front fog lights on it will come on with them.

Here is the States we see it on the BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, Volvo, ect. Many of the import cars have the feature turned off since it is not a DOT requirement here but it can be enabled if you know how.
 
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Yeah that is intriguing, especially given I don't have front fog lights or a switch as far as I can see. I wonder if they were removed by the PO, or otherwise if the car was shipped with the rear one attached but it's not connected to anything. I seem to recall there being a fuse in the fuse box for a rear fog light. I will have a closer peek tomorrow and see if it's connected to anything.
 
AdelaideTJ said:
Yeah that is intriguing, especially given I don't have front fog lights or a switch as far as I can see. I wonder if they were removed by the PO, or otherwise if the car was shipped with the rear one attached but it's not connected to anything. I seem to recall there being a fuse in the fuse box for a rear fog light. I will have a closer peek tomorrow and see if it's connected to anything.
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It would be interesting to get your build sheet and see if it's listed on there.
 
I vaguely remember it being on there but that was when I was trying to understand why my rear windshield defogger didn't work and seem to remember the fuse for that being called "rear fog" too, just to add to the confusion. Will check soon and report back. Curious to see if I had front fogs originally, but I doubt it
 
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A rear fog is required in Europe. My guess is that since Jeep is a North American brand, they put it on all exports regardless of what country they were going to.

As for the rear window defroster, usually they call it a defogger and that may be why you're thinking of it being a rear fog fuse.

To turn on fogs, the headlights must be on. Turning fogs on is done by pulling outward on the turn signal stalk. Try that if you haven't, and of course turn the low beam on to see if the rear fog works. It has a loom running to it, I'm sure it probably worked when it left the factory floor.
 
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machoheadgames said:
A rear fog is required in Europe. My guess is that since Jeep is a North American brand, they put it on all exports regardless of what country they were going to.

As for the rear window defroster, usually they call it a defogger and that may be why you're thinking of it being a rear fog fuse.

To turn on fogs, the headlights must be on. Turning fogs on is done by pulling outward on the turn signal stalk. Try that if you haven't, and of course turn the low beam on to see if the rear fog works. It has a loom running to it, I'm sure it probably worked when it left the factory floor.
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You lil' ripper! Cheers!
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If I install front fog lights on the front bumper, will they get activated with this switch also? Is there likely to be an existing loom under the bonnet I can tap into? Mine doesn't have front fogs as standard as far as I know.
 
Sorry, late to the party - yes, that’s exactly like my UK spec 2001 TJ. Turn on headlights then pull the stalk. Required to pass annual MOT inspection here. You probably got one as it became part of standard LHD export spec.
 
European Eu-117 Regulation Roadside Motorist Safety Marker Assembly.

First tested on the autobahn in 1992

Passed in 1995 by the EuroMotorVlag

In 1999 many export vehicles to Australia , New Zealand and Iceland had the option

Auxiliary switch locations vary per vehicle.
 
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