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11-13-2011, 12:28 PM | #1 |
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Cheap alternative to fog lamp lego mod or buying a euro switch
This is very cheap DIY for accessing the fog lamp feature on anyone's US specification 1series that has the adaptive braking light feature where the brakes light up brighter when jamming on the brakes. This so happens to also be the fog lamp bulb so this DIY will enable you to have fog lamps whenever you need them without buying anything new.
To get the switch off and into your hands, follow AndyM's great tutorial at: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209558 So wanna know what I did? First the backstory...I bought a euro headlight switch for my 135 so I could use the fog lamps if needed. I had it installed for over a year. When I bought my 1M, I started transferring mods to it from the 135. When I got to my expensive fog lamp switch, I went ahead and tore apart both switches and built a euro switch for my US spec 1M. See other thread on 1M conversion. As I was doing all this, I noticed that 95% of the parts were the same...the only real difference is the euro switch actually had depress-able switches and the US spec switch was locked...meaning I couldn't depress anything. Internally everything looked identical...so what was locking it I thought... Look at the photos and you'll see some plastic tangs, kind of like what you'd find on a sheet of plastic car model parts....so I cut these plastic tangs off and now I have fog lamps on both my cars. There is also one tang hidden between the top switch and bottom switch that I pried off with a small screwdriver...that's it! So this is an alternative to purchasing a euro headlamp switch for $75-130. Questions just PM me. Rikx1M Last edited by Rikx1M; 02-07-2012 at 05:49 AM.. |
11-13-2011, 04:14 PM | #2 |
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nice.... now you got me thinking of my 128i has the same thing. I got it with the M-Package and I have been wanted to do this for a while. I am going to have to check it out
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11-13-2011, 07:38 PM | #4 |
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My understanding is that earlier US spec switches did not have the white portion that makes contact to activate the fogs, which is why people fabricated them out of legos and other pieces.
In addition to your 1M, 2011 E9x owners are also reporting that their US switches already have the white pieces in the switch, which makes this mod even easier. So this is not really an "alternative" per se to the lego mod, if you have an older switch without the white pieces, you still need something to press the contacts. But if you have a 2011 or later car, it's possible you already have these pieces in the switch. |
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11-13-2011, 07:45 PM | #5 |
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so you just cut the plastic and then have the fog lights essentially? also not to sound new, but why would you want the fog lights on the rear?
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11-13-2011, 08:04 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automot...Rear_fog_lamps |
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11-13-2011, 08:27 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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11-13-2011, 11:28 PM | #8 | |
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11-14-2011, 07:27 PM | #9 |
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Wow, that worked great on my 128 conv.
Must push a bit harder than the front fogs, but ok it cost zero. Thanks rikx1m |
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11-15-2011, 08:42 AM | #11 |
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11-15-2011, 08:43 AM | #12 |
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Good find!
Any idea when the white pieces were introduced? I have a 2011 135i and wanted to know if I even have the white pieces before I pry it out. Thanks, B |
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11-15-2011, 08:44 AM | #13 |
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11-15-2011, 09:32 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...39/Video51-SD/ |
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11-15-2011, 10:45 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209558 |
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11-15-2011, 10:47 AM | #16 |
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no... on our cars the AC vent actually pops up and than exposes couple of screws. You un-screw them and the unit pops out. I think I am missing couple of steps but that is the gist of it.
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11-15-2011, 09:52 PM | #17 |
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I had some oem pieces and took them to a machine shop and had copies made. I have a few extras since the early cars don't have the white pieces. Much cheaper than a new switch and better than a Lego...
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11-16-2011, 10:52 AM | #18 |
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With all the fog we've had in Wiesbaden I was ready to order a new switch.
You just saved me €65. |
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11-28-2011, 12:42 AM | #21 |
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will this work on my 2009?
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11-28-2011, 04:37 PM | #22 |
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Look at the realoem.com breakout of the switch or take your switch apart....15 minutes and you will know. Look for the white Lego looking piece inside your switch.
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