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      11-13-2011, 12:28 PM   #1
Rikx1M
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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.

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Last edited by Rikx1M; 02-07-2012 at 05:49 AM..
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      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, 05:24 PM   #3
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Nice find!
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      11-13-2011, 07:38 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikx1M View Post
Internally everything looked identical...
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:
Originally Posted by crbalch View Post
also not to sound new, but why would you want the fog lights on the rear?

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:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
thanks man, makes sense now
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      11-13-2011, 11:28 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
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.
I stand corrected...thanks.
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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, 08:20 AM   #10
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Did this last night! Just be careful removing the vent, as discussed.
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      11-15-2011, 08:42 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gkmunch View Post
Did this last night! Just be careful removing the vent, as discussed.
Must you push also a bit harder than the other switch.
Let me know.
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Duttch View Post
Must you push also a bit harder than the other switch.
Let me know.
The other switch isn't active, as I don't have front fogs on my 135. But the push is firm and crisp, feels like OEM-type tactile feedback.
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      11-15-2011, 09:32 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gkmunch View Post
Did this last night! Just be careful removing the vent, as discussed.
I've yet to remove the switch. So I assume this installation video from ECS (which clearly shows an E9x interior) is not valid for our E82 (despite the URL):

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:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
I've yet to remove the switch. So I assume this installation video from ECS (which clearly shows an E9x interior) is not valid for our E82 (despite the URL):

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...39/Video51-SD/
To get the switch off and into your hands, follow AndyM's great tutorial at:

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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      11-27-2011, 11:59 AM   #19
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Great find! The rear fog is the bottom button, correct? Anyone found a use for the front fog light switch on a 1M?
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      11-27-2011, 01:34 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZCP M3 View Post
Great find! The rear fog is the bottom button, correct? Anyone found a use for the front fog light switch on a 1M?
Thanks....bottom for rear lights.

The other switch I have wired/rigged to flip my license plates before I speed through the traffic cameras
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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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