(DIY) One little piece needed to enable our USA rear fog lights

Infidel · 01-07-2013, 05:19 PM

I did this mod the other day on a 2006 330xi, production 12/05(dec 2005).

Removing the trim was much easier than I anticipated, although due to what I assume was the very low temperature (20c) one of the blue trim plugs with the oval metal capture rings broke in half releasing the metal ring still attached to the post on the trim that plugs into the dash. That is a complicated and probably incorrect explanation but the point is to be extra careful if it is quite cold and take your time. For me the breakage was not a problem I was able to put it back together and it is held flush and proper.

Another note was difficulty I had separating the switch from its housing. This caused huge frustration to me until I grew so angry I manhandled it with herculean strength, to which it responded by cleaning disconnecting. Just make sure to press the tabs in while pulling, it will come apart with enough force.

Most notably, I did NOT have to fabricate a switch (although I already had before starting) as the white plastic connector was already there, all I had to do was release the face of the button, cut the little tabs off of it and put it back in. No extra parts required. Removing the button face was not so bad, just use a small jewelers flathead and be judicious with force given its size.

One last important note I am surprised is not mentioned here more. Once you have completed cutting the tabs (+ installing a homemade connector if applicable) and are reassembling, pay particular attention when you put the entire switch back into its housing. When you put the switch into its housing you may hear a click, but in my case the clips HAD NOT actually clipped in place and required substantial force to get them to snap back in place one by one. I almost did not notice this, and if I hadn't then the entire switch face would have pushed into the housing if I pushed on it to activate the lights once I re installed it into the car.

I haven't used the fog lights but they are there and it was a very easy mod.

blackbeast06 · 02-09-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFChoslap

blackbeast06 ill take it i live like 2 hours from you

i pm 'd you but just in case you cannot write back post on here. let me know if you got my email

Vizina560 · 02-14-2013, 09:32 AM

Done! Nice and easy first mod

Clammy · 11-14-2013, 09:09 PM

I bought a Euro switch off Ebay, but when it got to me, it was just the front face! All the electronics, and guts were missing. I was PISSED OFF!

I took the rear fog button off the Euro faceplate, fabbed up a piece per this DIY (thanks for the tips!

), installed the button onto my stock switch, and now have the rear fogs working.

Because I had to use my stock switch, I don't have the LED to light the rear fog switch (the LED isn't installed on the board).

Here's a pic:

Cheers!

Opo · 11-23-2013, 01:09 PM

2007 e92 335i

I just tried to do this on my car, fabricated my own switch piece, reassembled everything and its not working.... I took it back apart and swapped the special pieces and tried again, rear fogs still won't work, light on the dash doesn't come on, nothing. I did the swap to make sure it wasn't my fabricated piece that was causing the issue.

Any idea why mine aren't working at all?

ShaverZBT · 11-27-2013, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otruba_843

Just did mine last night! Super easy!

I'll be doing this over the weekend.

M3AN ZCP · 05-02-2018, 03:52 AM

I was lucky enough to have those two "lego" type pieces so breaking the tabs around the buttons was easy. I did have to slightly pry the air vent panel out to slip the light switch back in because of the lip on top. Smooth and easy to do.

ska///235i · 05-02-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3AN ZCP

I was lucky enough to have those two "lego" type pieces so breaking the tabs around the buttons was easy. I did have to slightly pry the air vent panel out to slip the light switch back in because of the lip on top. Smooth and easy to do.

Holyshit, I wrote this 11 years ago...Im glad its still helping others here

desertman123 · 05-03-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Holyshit, I wrote this 11 years ago...Im glad its still helping others here

Enabled the rear fogs on my 1 with this!

blau iii · 05-09-2018, 09:57 AM

Doing this on my car this weekend..

Anyone know if it can be done on a 2014 F15 X5?

grzes · 05-09-2018, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Holyshit, I wrote this 11 years ago...Im glad its still helping others here

and thanks to you OP few years ago I read this post and found the Euro switch and since then I am very happy with this mode (opted for the entire switch as they were not that much). Living in the climate where I am they do make tones of difference during the winter snow storms or fog days / nights considering how much driving I do, makes me feel safer and keeps the idiots away from my butt as they are great safety but drivers don't like to stay close anymore as they are pretty bright

JUMAS · 05-13-2018, 06:55 PM

Did this on my e90, I didn't need any additonal things, I removed the assembly, took it apart, removed the black "dead/fake" button. trimmed the stops on it on the edged, put it back, clicks like a button. works 100.

Boorda · 07-17-2018, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska///235i

ok...
the USA switch has one (white piece)...the Germany switch has two (white piece)
each piece is the extension from the button to the main board

so for those that already bought the german switch (part # 61316932796), they can give away their piece from the old USA switch

The chrome version of the switch is part number 61319169404.
https://www.google.com/search?q=6131...hrome&ie=UTF-8

bluewater328 · 10-16-2018, 01:22 PM

FYSA on this. I did this awhile ago and on LCI models (or at least my 2011 328i) had all the right height pieces in there already (no need for lego block).

NoGuru · 10-16-2018, 02:22 PM

I keep meaning to do this but always forget.

eugenecp · 10-06-2019, 07:21 PM

Tried doing this today on a 2009 e93 328i but did not work, what else should I look for? I used Legos and it pushes the switch in well.

colorado.e9x · 10-06-2019, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenecp

Tried doing this today on a 2009 e93 328i but did not work, what else should I look for? I used Legos and it pushes the switch in well.

Turn the front fog lights on then try turning the rear fog lights on

eugenecp · 10-06-2019, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Turn the front fog lights on then try turning the rear fog lights on

Thanks, did that but still does not work. Did it while engine is running...

Can it be a coding issue?

colorado.e9x · 10-06-2019, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenecp

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Turn the front fog lights on then try turning the rear fog lights on

Thanks, did that but still does not work. Did it while engine is running...

Can it be a coding issue?

That's odd, and you're getting a button click that feels like the front fogs? It shouldn't be a coding issue. When I did mine it worked right away

eugenecp · 10-06-2019, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

That's odd, and you're getting a button click that feels like the front fogs? It shouldn't be a coding issue. When I did mine it worked right away

Will review what I did and see if there's just something I missed out.

Thanks.

colorado.e9x · 10-06-2019, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenecp

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

That's odd, and you're getting a button click that feels like the front fogs? It shouldn't be a coding issue. When I did mine it worked right away

Will review what I did and see if there's just something I missed out.

Thanks.

Sure thing. Mine feels exactly the same as the other fog button if that helps your troubleshooting

01-07-2013, 05:19 PM	#375
Infidel Enlisted Member 0 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330xi MT s/p/c Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New Hampshire, USA iTrader: (1)	It works. I did this mod the other day on a 2006 330xi, production 12/05(dec 2005). Removing the trim was much easier than I anticipated, although due to what I assume was the very low temperature (20c) one of the blue trim plugs with the oval metal capture rings broke in half releasing the metal ring still attached to the post on the trim that plugs into the dash. That is a complicated and probably incorrect explanation but the point is to be extra careful if it is quite cold and take your time. For me the breakage was not a problem I was able to put it back together and it is held flush and proper. Another note was difficulty I had separating the switch from its housing. This caused huge frustration to me until I grew so angry I manhandled it with herculean strength, to which it responded by cleaning disconnecting. Just make sure to press the tabs in while pulling, it will come apart with enough force. Most notably, I did NOT have to fabricate a switch (although I already had before starting) as the white plastic connector was already there, all I had to do was release the face of the button, cut the little tabs off of it and put it back in. No extra parts required. Removing the button face was not so bad, just use a small jewelers flathead and be judicious with force given its size. One last important note I am surprised is not mentioned here more. Once you have completed cutting the tabs (+ installing a homemade connector if applicable) and are reassembling, pay particular attention when you put the entire switch back into its housing. When you put the switch into its housing you may hear a click, but in my case the clips HAD NOT actually clipped in place and required substantial force to get them to snap back in place one by one. I almost did not notice this, and if I hadn't then the entire switch face would have pushed into the housing if I pushed on it to activate the lights once I re installed it into the car. I haven't used the fog lights but they are there and it was a very easy mod.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-14-2013, 09:32 AM	#377
Vizina560 TheVizness 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 15 328ix M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	Done! Nice and easy first mod
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11-14-2013, 09:09 PM	#378
Clammy Captain 322 Rep 624 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	I bought a Euro switch off Ebay, but when it got to me, it was just the front face! All the electronics, and guts were missing. I was PISSED OFF! I took the rear fog button off the Euro faceplate, fabbed up a piece per this DIY (thanks for the tips! ), installed the button onto my stock switch, and now have the rear fogs working. Because I had to use my stock switch, I don't have the LED to light the rear fog switch (the LED isn't installed on the board). Here's a pic: Cheers!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-23-2013, 01:09 PM	#379
Opo Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 07 335i E92 6MT (12/06 build) Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	2007 e92 335i I just tried to do this on my car, fabricated my own switch piece, reassembled everything and its not working.... I took it back apart and swapped the special pieces and tried again, rear fogs still won't work, light on the dash doesn't come on, nothing. I did the swap to make sure it wasn't my fabricated piece that was causing the issue. Any idea why mine aren't working at all?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2018, 03:52 AM	#381
M3AN ZCP New Member 16 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Comp Package Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (1)	Thanks I was lucky enough to have those two "lego" type pieces so breaking the tabs around the buttons was easy. I did have to slightly pry the air vent panel out to slip the light switch back in because of the lip on top. Smooth and easy to do.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2018, 09:57 AM	#384
blau iii Lieutenant 128 Rep 451 Posts Drives: 2008 335i schwartz on scwartz Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Doing this on my car this weekend.. Anyone know if it can be done on a 2014 F15 X5?
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05-13-2018, 06:55 PM	#386
JUMAS Private First Class 39 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	Did this on my e90, I didn't need any additonal things, I removed the assembly, took it apart, removed the black "dead/fake" button. trimmed the stops on it on the edged, put it back, clicks like a button. works 100.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2018, 01:22 PM	#388
bluewater328 Colonel 626 Rep 2,100 Posts Drives: 2011 bluewater 328i LCI sedan Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (0)	FYSA on this. I did this awhile ago and on LCI models (or at least my 2011 328i) had all the right height pieces in there already (no need for lego block).
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10-16-2018, 02:22 PM	#389
NoGuru Major 772 Rep 1,418 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Chevy Silverad ... [0.00] 2002 Jeep Cherokee [0.00] 2014 CTS [0.00] 2011 335is [0.00]	I keep meaning to do this but always forget. __________________ 2011 335is DCT BQ Tuning / BMS CAI / VRSF kittyless DP's / Synapse BOV and charge pipe / 7" VRSF Race FMIC / Walbro 535 and 450 on BMP4 / E90 tune / Diff Brace / PR Coils / Relocation Inlets / DAW Stage3+ Turbos / MMP port injection / xHP Stage 3 / FPR and -6 fuel lines
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10-06-2019, 07:21 PM	#390
eugenecp Private 19 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Convertible Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Toyota Sienna [0.00] 2004 VW Touareg V8 [0.00]	Tried doing this today on a 2009 e93 328i but did not work, what else should I look for? I used Legos and it pushes the switch in well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote