Dumb rear fog lights

There was fog a couple of weeks ago. So I thought I'd use my fog lights front and rear. One of the rears appeared to be broken. So today I got round to fix it.

Symptoms: left rear fog not working



Ahhh, maybe bulb was blown.



WTF. two bulbs on the right. But only one on the left ???!!!



It's now obvious that was how the rear fogs were supposed to be, and nothing was broken. Feeling a bit sheepish, I looked around to see what else I could do. I found lots of cabling on the trunk lid that could be source of rattles, and the bump-stop for the lid wasn't optimal. So I taped up everything and adjusted everything. Now I am absolute sure there could be no noises from the trunk lid. This wasn't what I set out to do. But it was satisfying fixing up the very last place on the rear of my car that could squeak or rattle.

We don't have rear fogs here in the states, but I had a SAAB with a rear fog light (only one), but it was only on the left, not the right. Perhaps, if there are two fog lights it could be confused with brake lights, especially if someone cannot see you well in the fog?

Does any one know where I can get the part number for the switch to activate a rear fog. Or is this something I need a more then just a swich for?

Audis have 2, BMW has 1 rear fog on the drivers side by design, as you well know now. =]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy330

Does any one know where I can get the part number for the switch to activate a rear fog. Or is this something I need a more then just a swich for?

If you want the OEM switch, and the discrete cluster illumination, you need to get a euro faceplate. Faceplate only. If you have a Sedan, and are in the US, you are SOL (BMWNA sucks) on activating the rear fog if you have adaptive brake lights.

Jason at Tischer (getbmwparts.com) set me up with my new LCM, I did the OEM LED retrofit so I bought the whole assembly. You can, just buy the faceplate though.

You also need a sedan bulb carrier, it has two light sockets. Left for side for LHD, right side like original poster for RHD, or you can dremmel out your coupe one. Carrier was <$15 bucks so I didnt bother to f with the dremmel.

Oh, and depending on the year, you may have to run a wire from your deck lid to pin 49 on your LCM (for coupes).


LCM assembly 61-31-9-133-021 (part is superseded and you only need the faceplate)
Bulb carrier 63 21 7 165 743

I have xenons

I think the original European idea of OEM rear fog is to have ONE REAR FOG LAMP not two. That is simply what you have there or some lazy SOB never finished the complete rear fog DIY. The DIY Rear Fog Light modification that we have here in the USA usually incorporates putting in two rear fog lamp brackets so you get both rear fogs going for the effect.

yes it it only one on most cars such as porsche, bmw, and mercedes

Originally Posted by delmarco

I think the original European idea of OEM rear fog is to have ONE REAR FOG LAMP not two. That is simply what you have there or some lazy SOB never finished the complete rear fog DIY. The DIY Rear Fog Light modification that we have here in the USA usually incorporates putting in two rear fog lamp brackets so you get both rear fogs going for the effect.

Nope, BMW vision was one rear lamp not two. Europe's vision, ECE 38, called for ONE OR TWO rear lamps, required. ECE R48 specifies that the rear fogs must be apart from the brake lights.

Obviously, two lights are better than one for visibility because your brain needs two light sources to triangulate the distance. This is also why cars have two headlights, two tail lights.
In North America, rear fogs are not required but permitted.

Uhm...what is BMW vision and Europe's vision?


EDIT: I'm guessing you mean "version".

Originally Posted by GoingNuts

There was fog a couple of weeks ago. So I thought I'd use my fog lights front and rear. One of the rears appeared to be broken. So today I got round to fix it.

Symptoms: left rear fog not working



Ahhh, maybe bulb was blown.



WTF. two bulbs on the right. But only one on the left ???!!!



It's now obvious that was how the rear fogs were supposed to be, and nothing was broken. Feeling a bit sheepish, I looked around to see what else I could do. I found lots of cabling on the trunk lid that could be source of rattles, and the bump-stop for the lid wasn't optimal. So I taped up everything and adjusted everything. Now I am absolute sure there could be no noises from the trunk lid. This wasn't what I set out to do. But it was satisfying fixing up the very last place on the rear of my car that could squeak or rattle.

Your car will only have one. BMW use this to identify on what side to overtake the car. With you being in London,thats why it is on the right hand side. There are only a few exception car manufactures who put in two.

is there a way to get two back fog lights, a part or anything ,i reckon it looks hot with both on

Originally Posted by M3_GTR

is there a way to get two back fog lights, a part or anything ,i reckon it looks hot with both on

its oem

90% of the time cars only have one rear fog lol..


I really do wish I had a rear fog, that'd be sick.

yeah i know, but isnt there a part to change it?

Originally Posted by M3_GTR

yeah i know, but isnt there a part to change it?

uhm....

Its mad easy!

There is like 3 or 4 DIYs in the DIY section for adding rear fogs to E46 BMWs.
You just need a long wire and the brackets which go for like $10 at the stealership.

SEARCH and ye shall find!

Originally Posted by delmarco

Uhm...what is BMW vision and Europe's vision?


EDIT: I'm guessing you mean "version".

No I meant vision: an experience in which a personage, thing, or event appears vividly or credibly to the mind, although not actually present, often under the influence of a divine or other agency

Prior to forming the EU code, they had some idea of what they wanted. Sry I cant write it in crayons.

maybe im just a retared but im almost positive i have 2 rear fogs on my 03 330i.. ill post a pic tomarrow.

i don't have a rear fog light switch either, they just come on when i urn on my running lights.

Those aren't fog lights.

oh, my bad ill shut up now

I hate rear fog lights. All it does is to cause glare and anoy other drivers.