Cheap alternative to fog lamp lego mod or buying a euro switch

DarthColin · 02-09-2012, 07:39 PM

Once you access the back of the buttons, you will see two small, black plastic tabs. The are just like the bigger ones that you have to release to open up the switch.
I got it open by spreading the tab away from the button using a flat head jeweler screwdriver. Then held the button "out" with a thumbnail while I used the screwdriver on the opposite tab.
This is one of those situations where a picture is worth a thousand words.

JDUni1 · 02-09-2012, 09:07 PM

Thank you for this POST! Just did this, didn't read the whole thread so I had to figure out how to get the switch out and clip the 4th tab off. Guess I should read all of the posts before I try something next time!

GuamX1 · 02-10-2012, 04:43 PM

I got the tabs out but the bottons are now just loosely in place and vibrate a lot when driving and the sad part is it does not work

I am not sure why but my car is an 08 135i coupe. I was going to post pictures but I could not find the cable. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

int2str · 02-10-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by int2str

Did this mod, but doesn't work. The white piece fits perfectly, and the button is actuating well. But no fogs, no light in the dash, no reaction from the car....
2008 135i

Update: I just didn't press the button far enough - works like a charm actually. Thanks!

Papethova · 02-10-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guam135i

I got the tabs out but the bottons are now just loosely in place and vibrate a lot when driving and the sad part is it does not work

I am not sure why but my car is an 08 135i coupe. I was going to post pictures but I could not find the cable. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

Did you unassemble the switch or did you just cut the tabs? I dont see how they could be loose since each one has two snaps to hold it in place. They could be loose from lack of tension which the lego-like pieces provide.

My 2011 works perfectly by just cutting the tabs. The 2008 may need the white lego-like inserts to work properly. Only way to know is to unassemble the switch itself and look inside.

If you had opened it and the pieces were missing then it would be obvious the switch wouldnt work. How would it make contact?

DarthColin · 02-10-2012, 07:30 PM

Agreed. Your switch must not have the Lego pieces. That is the only conceivable way I can see this problem happening. My modded switch feels like it came from the factory that way. Perfect tactile feel.
CM

GuamX1 · 02-10-2012, 08:53 PM

Yup the white piece is missing inside. I built a piece but the lights wont come on. I disassembled the switch connected it into the car and tried to press the tabs but still no reaction. Maybe it does not work for all cars

Papethova · 02-10-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guam135i

Yup the white piece is missing inside. I built a piece but the lights wont come on. I disassembled the switch connected it into the car and tried to press the tabs but still no reaction. Maybe it does not work for all cars

You should be pressing down two of the spring loaded buttons at a time to activate a switch. Think the lego block thats a cube with 4 dots on it

Rikx1M · 02-11-2012, 09:36 AM

Do a search of the DIY thread about Lego mod...that DIY helps you build the missing part which looks like a Lego. This post is actually was miss-labelled as an alternative to the Lego mod which it is not...it's an alternative to buy a euro switch to enable the rear fog lights...

GuamX1 · 02-11-2012, 11:35 AM

yeah pressed both tabs simultaneously but no lights on the dash came on. I'll try to do it again next time, thanks guys

EINSER M · 02-12-2012, 02:03 PM

got inspired and just did mine last night, great free mod!!!!

Rikx1M · 02-12-2012, 02:08 PM

Glad to hear...your German graphic is my standard for a cool visually-modded car so glad I could assist you with a DIY.

JDUni1 · 02-12-2012, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guam135i

I got the tabs out but the bottons are now just loosely in place and vibrate a lot when driving and the sad part is it does not work

I am not sure why but my car is an 08 135i coupe. I was going to post pictures but I could not find the cable. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

My switch was are to get snapped back in, you might want to take it apart and make sure it snaps together in 4 places.

HACKULO · 02-24-2012, 04:19 AM

dont do it, u gonna replace ur tail lights later~

HACKULO · 02-24-2012, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EINSER M

got inspired and just did mine last night, great free mod!!!!

free mod~~(with a pimple)

lol

MPBK · 02-24-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hackuloh

dont do it, u gonna replace ur tail lights later~

What you talking about, Mr. Scrooge?

EINSER M · 02-24-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikx1M

Glad to hear...your German graphic is my standard for a cool visually-modded car so glad I could assist you with a DIY.

Thank you! I much appreciated that DIY!!!!

godmans · 03-10-2012, 06:41 AM

thanks bud, great mod. gotta try to see if the MY2012 switch has the white piece inside already

christopherkriens · 03-18-2012, 03:25 PM

This works great. I was able to snap off the fourth tab with a small pry tool.

Rikx1M · 03-18-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hackuloh

dont do it, u gonna replace ur tail lights later~

Have you ever explained why this is a bad mod or did I miss it? I think we're all waiting..

andrey_gta · 03-26-2012, 08:44 PM

Instead of the Lego piece I used a cut off from a pen which i glued to a piece of an old credit card. Works okay.
I opened up the switch to discover I only had one white piece, hence why I used a pen.

e82m_van · 04-07-2012, 11:03 PM

I did this mod on my 1m. I had to take out the button out of its socket to cut off the fourth tab. Made a nice "fog" label using a label maker and stuck it on there. Thanks for the info op.

02-09-2012, 07:39 PM	#45
DarthColin First Lieutenant 44 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grenfell, SK iTrader: (0)	Once you access the back of the buttons, you will see two small, black plastic tabs. The are just like the bigger ones that you have to release to open up the switch. I got it open by spreading the tab away from the button using a flat head jeweler screwdriver. Then held the button "out" with a thumbnail while I used the screwdriver on the opposite tab. This is one of those situations where a picture is worth a thousand words. __________________ ‘If it even looks like rain and you pretend to be Michael Schumacher in a 599 GTO, you’ll end up in a tree’ -Clarkson
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2012, 09:07 PM	#46
JDUni1 Lieutenant 76 Rep 521 Posts Drives: '15 M3, '12 135i (Sold) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Thank you for this POST! Just did this, didn't read the whole thread so I had to figure out how to get the switch out and clip the 4th tab off. Guess I should read all of the posts before I try something next time!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 04:43 PM	#47
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	I got the tabs out but the bottons are now just loosely in place and vibrate a lot when driving and the sad part is it does not work I am not sure why but my car is an 08 135i coupe. I was going to post pictures but I could not find the cable. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPP! __________________ 2013 BMW X1 * 1973 Clubman GT * 2016 Mazda MX5 * 2000 Honda S2000 2004 BMW 325i Touring * 2009 BMW X5 3.0xdrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 07:30 PM	#50
DarthColin First Lieutenant 44 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grenfell, SK iTrader: (0)	Agreed. Your switch must not have the Lego pieces. That is the only conceivable way I can see this problem happening. My modded switch feels like it came from the factory that way. Perfect tactile feel. CM __________________ ‘If it even looks like rain and you pretend to be Michael Schumacher in a 599 GTO, you’ll end up in a tree’ -Clarkson
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 08:53 PM	#51
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	Yup the white piece is missing inside. I built a piece but the lights wont come on. I disassembled the switch connected it into the car and tried to press the tabs but still no reaction. Maybe it does not work for all cars __________________ 2013 BMW X1 * 1973 Clubman GT * 2016 Mazda MX5 * 2000 Honda S2000 2004 BMW 325i Touring * 2009 BMW X5 3.0xdrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2012, 09:36 AM	#53
Rikx1M MSgt (ret) 561 Rep 2,116 Posts Drives: VO 1M #739/740 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Where the car was born iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 series M ... [10.00]	Do a search of the DIY thread about Lego mod...that DIY helps you build the missing part which looks like a Lego. This post is actually was miss-labelled as an alternative to the Lego mod which it is not...it's an alternative to buy a euro switch to enable the rear fog lights... __________________ Last edited by Rikx1M; 02-11-2012 at 10:07 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2012, 11:35 AM	#54
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	yeah pressed both tabs simultaneously but no lights on the dash came on. I'll try to do it again next time, thanks guys __________________ 2013 BMW X1 * 1973 Clubman GT * 2016 Mazda MX5 * 2000 Honda S2000 2004 BMW 325i Touring * 2009 BMW X5 3.0xdrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-12-2012, 02:03 PM	#55
EINSER M Major General 377 Rep 5,730 Posts Drives: BMW i3 rex Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (44) Garage List 2018 I01 i3s \| CURRENT [0.00] 2018 G01 X3 \| CURRENT [0.00] 2017 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F48 X1 \| SOLD ... [0.00] 2016 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F22 M240 \| SOLD [8.00] 2016 F25 X3 diesel ... [0.00] 2006 E60 550 \| SOLD [6.00] 2011 E90 335 \| SOLD [8.66] 2012 E82 135 \| SOLD [5.50] 2011 E82 1M \| SOLD [7.94] 2007 E85 Z4M\| SOLD [4.50] 2003 E53 X5 4.6is S ... [9.00] 2008 E92 328 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E82 135 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E90 335 \| SOLD [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 \| SOLD [7.50] 2006 E90 330 \| SOLD [10.00] 2003 E46 330ZHP \| SOLD [0.00]	got inspired and just did mine last night, great free mod!!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-12-2012, 02:08 PM	#56
Rikx1M MSgt (ret) 561 Rep 2,116 Posts Drives: VO 1M #739/740 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Where the car was born iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 series M ... [10.00]	Glad to hear...your German graphic is my standard for a cool visually-modded car so glad I could assist you with a DIY. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-24-2012, 04:19 AM	#58
HACKULO Captain 57 Rep 639 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (10) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i coupe [0.00] 2008 135i [6.00]	dont do it, u gonna replace ur tail lights later~ __________________ cheap fast cars arent reliable reliable cheap cars arent fast and fast reliable cars ARENT CHEAP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2012, 06:41 AM	#62
godmans First Lieutenant 17 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 135i / 335i / X6M Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: 6ix iTrader: (6)	thanks bud, great mod. gotta try to see if the MY2012 switch has the white piece inside already
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2012, 03:25 PM	#63
christopherkriens . 18 Rep 260 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i Coupé Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [8.62]	This works great. I was able to snap off the fourth tab with a small pry tool. __________________ 2011 135i Black Sapphire Metallic / Coral Red
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-26-2012, 08:44 PM	#65
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	Instead of the Lego piece I used a cut off from a pen which i glued to a piece of an old credit card. Works okay. I opened up the switch to discover I only had one white piece, hence why I used a pen. __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2012, 11:03 PM	#66
e82m_van First Lieutenant 100 Rep 339 Posts Drives: AW 1m Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3)	I did this mod on my 1m. I had to take out the button out of its socket to cut off the fourth tab. Made a nice "fog" label using a label maker and stuck it on there. Thanks for the info op.
	Appreciate 0 Quote