Inspection Issue at the Dealer

[aircooledTOM]

Anyone have any experience or advice on wiring auxiliary lights in order to pass inspection?

My local ford store refused to issue me a PA Safety Inspection sticker because of my aux drive lights. I have a BD S8 behind my grille, and a BD Sportsmen amber fog/driving/cornering lights. The explanation given was that the lights were wired to the battery and could be activated independent of the headlights. Also, the fogs don't turn off when the high beams are activated.

My first step is 1) attempting to find a more lenient inspector, probably a smaller more local shop (I have a couple who've worked with me in the past on emissions issues with my Subie) or, 2) if that fails, I'll need to either uninstall the stuff, or figure out a wiring solution.

I'm extremely unlikely to return to the dealer for any service. They've been nothing but a pain to work with. The sales experience was wonderful, but I've got nothing but complaints about their service dept. That seems to be par for the course around here. I'll be honest, I haven't tried any other dealers in the area, so I may be overreacting, but where I bought the truck, they've been terrible.

 

[Oldfart]

Go to another inspection station.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

I'm with @Oldfart , screw those guys, that's nick picking. Find another shop, jeeeesh!

 

[smurfslayer]

You need to know your vehicle inspection code (better than the inspector) and keep copies with you.

Virginia had similar requirements.
you can only have 4 forward facing lights on at any one time - in other words either low beams and fogs OR low + high beams. Fogs have to be SAE or DOT approved and labeled, and have to deactivate with high beams, UNLESS the fogs or any other forward facing are covered completely.

For the S8, I made 2 leather covers that attached to the grille and for the other lights I got light covers. Mounted the light covers before inspection, took them off after while I was filling up with fuel.

 

[aircooledTOM]

@smurfslayer would you mind sending along a photo of the covers you built? That might be what I have to do. Also, yeah, more research is required on my part and I may have to have a bit of wiring done to make sure I can't have my SAE fogs+highs, etc...

Obviously, I'll try another inspection station, like I said, I've used a couple of independent guys in the past and they were great, but I appreciate a backup plan.

 

[KAJRIP]

Like others have said go to another station.

I have BD pocket fogs and reverse lights all wired to aux switches and had no trouble from the dealer I took it too. I’m in PA as well.

Just keep in mind even if the station passes it you will probably get a ticket from an officer if he pulls you over for a violation.

 

[Maranello055]

You would think a Ford dealership would have a little leeway since they design their Raptors with switches that control LIGHTS! That's silly. I always get my inspections done by my local shop, just go somewhere else.

 

[smurfslayer]

The inspections usually don’t net any money, but do bring customers in for other work. Part of state control is they periodically send undercovers in with obvious violations to see if the station is dutifully enforcing the vehicle code. They can be fined or lose their inspection license if they pass one that’s in there from an undercover.

I had a bike for 16 years and the headlight had a rock chip in it - on the INSIDE of the lens and it was water tight. Something like year 13, my local guy fails me for the rock chip. The SAME guy who’s passed me for 10+ YEARS.

Like Tony Soprano said, ‘waddayagonnado’?

I took the bike to a bike shop and got passed in 5 minutes.

Some of the vehicle code is just stupid. I get you need to have some rules but some states clearly have had too much time to legislate on their hands.

 

[aircooledTOM]

Like others have said go to another station.

I have BD pocket fogs and reverse lights all wired to aux switches and had no trouble from the dealer I took it too. I’m in PA as well.

Just keep in mind even if the station passes it you will probably get a ticket from an officer if he pulls you over for a violation.

I run a vacation rental in the Poconos and I'm up there regularly for projects and to coordinate with contractors, etc. Where in NEPA is your dealer? I might be able to justify a special trip.

 

[KAJRIP]

I run a vacation rental in the Poconos and I'm up there regularly for projects and to coordinate with contractors, etc. Where in NEPA is your dealer? I might be able to justify a special trip.

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