[dmack003]

Thank you for the tutorial brianlay!

So I just did mine today using the existing switch hardware as a template. I took a pen half and affixed it to a *2x thick credit card square with marine epoxy (a slot was cut for the anti-rotation rail/tab as well - simple). It works and feels no different than the front fog button. The hardest part for me was getting the dead button out for tab removal...I thought for certain I was doing it wrong until, plink, it popped out!

Be cautioned, for reasons unknown the running lights came on, and stayed on, though there was no fob in the ignition. And yes, the switch was set to off prior to disconnection from the harness (I apologize if this issue has already been mentioned).

I'm now free to piss off douche bag Audi drivers who run rear fogs like daytime running lights.

*used epoxy to bond

[Wosby]

Is it the exact same part number for coupe or sedan?

[Hazard83190]

Damn, sick DIY, deff going to do this when I find the part. Is it through bmw>?

[Berber]

Did the mod this weekend on my '10 328Xi (LCI). When I opened the switch, found that I had both 'little white things' in the switch. Mod was easy and no additional parts needed!

Berber

[woodpecka]

Just did the mod on an e91 325XI and all his working fine. Cost me .30$ and 1hr. The hardest step is to remove the button.

[woodpecka]

Originally Posted by raf555

ive just put alink from real oem showing the light leveller.

so will ones with a light level controller fit US cars?

I have only seen this leveller in the UK..and has to use it to avoid being flashed by the other cars.

I don't know if this would activate the levelling function on an American car. When I start my e91, I see the light moving so the hardware is there..

[carbidetech]

I finished mine the other day on my E90 Sedan. I robbed my kids lego collection for the parts. Basically following the instructions, I dis-assembled the switch, shaved off the tabs, and put it back together with the legos. No gluing or robbing the pen drawer.
For those of us who are "Lego Savvy" and like me, haven't quite grown up yet, I used two single button blocks, stacked them together and inserted them into the bottom center hole in a 4 button block. The four button block is what presses the on the contacts on the circuit board. You will have to cant the block slightly out of square with the single stack blocks so it stays aligned with the contacts.

This is a great mod for backing into my driveway/garage at night.

For those of you who are psychology oriented, this next one is a bit passive aggressive but at least I'm taking responsibility for it (and I didn't read all the threads so if someone already made the observation...)
I had some dirtbag riding my ass the other night and would not get into the left lane of I-75 to go around me (three lanes, no traffic, major interstate) so I got the idea to turn on the rear fogs and presto! One blind idiot behind me. Took him about 5 seconds to decide he didn't like staring into the back of my car! He flipped me off when he was pissed enough to go around me. I just smiled and turned my lights off.

My close friend is a lieutenant on a local PD and he had no idea what I was talking about in regards to rear euro fogs in the tail lights of my car. I asked him if I could get into any trouble if they were accidentally left on....he said that most officers would assume you were riding the brakes and wouldn't say a thing unless they were stuck behind me in traffic and got tired of looking into the bright lights.

Great Mod....Thanks OP!

[Hotwheelz]

So...which # for the non Xenon owners? I have a 06 325xi sedan.

Thanx!

[orangedawg]

I tried this mod, but for the life of me, I couldn't get all the "tabs" (I believe there are three) all the way cut-off. Have a real problem with the tab in between the two buttoons. Any help?

[woodpecka]

You have to remove the button first. It is hard but possible.

[tmaung]

I did this last night but used an epoxy that hardened itself within 5 mins. I just got one of those blue sticks with white stuff in the middle, mix them for about a minute, mold it into a shape like a Hershey kiss and then slice off the sides to make it like a rectangle. Forgot to cut the rotation slot but not required.

[mr.kobayashi]

But does the leveler switch (which includes the rear foglight) work on the e90s in NA? That is huge and it is standard on non NA machines. I have run into the situation where four people in the car makes the lights too low on the road. The leveler is key.

[Ch3ss]

great guide

[YellowMellow]

I have a U.S. 2011 328xi sports wagon.
By chance does anyone have the part number for the euro switch with the chrome?
Is the part number the same for U.S. And Euro??

Where can I get the part for a part for a decent price??

[B-737]

I just completed this DIY on my 2011 E92. Total time was 30 minutes and i work at a snails pace...
theres good news guys, no more making stuff out of legos and pencils!! the white 'pusher' is already in there!! i was so stoked when i found that!

the hardest part is definitely taking off that upper vent. i used two credit cards and a very wide flat head and it finally popped...

if youve read up to this point you know how to get to the innards, once you get the circuit board out of the way, remove both of your plungers. then you need to GENTLY pry up on the two little tabs that hold the button in, these tabs stop the button from falling out forward. i included another members photo of these tabs circled in red. i used a little pick and a watch screw driver to push them up while pushing the back of the button with my finger towards the front of the light switch. The blank button will come out the front.

once thats done just remove the tabs on the button with a sharp blade. you're done! put everything back together. On my car I can freely use any combination of front and rear fogs as long as the headlights are on in any mode.

I cross posted this to the other forum where its a bit less buried. Also some helpful tips there too: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...88#post5542388

Photos key
1- vent removal
2- circuit board out, two plungers there already!
3- 'blank' button removed shown with tabs, push it out towards the front
4- blank button shown after i cut the tabs off
5- obligatory rear fog lamp photo
6- circled in red are the tabs you need to gently push away to allow the button to move fwd and out.

[YellowMellow]

THANK YOU to B-737 for this great update on the DIY. Pic attached!

He saved me $$$ and its totally simple and no additional parts are required!!!

Thanks again B-737!!

[dailydrifter]

Thanks OP! I got my 328 a couple of weeks ago. After reading the newer models had the white part, I decided to try it today during lunch. BINGO it's there. It took me longer to pull the vent and the actual button out.

I used nail clippers to cut the tabs off, worked like a charm. Filed down a little area with the nail clipper. Looks factory. I'm putting it all back together as I type.

[utfenix335i]

I just did it last night. I used a golf tee glued to a piece of an old credit card. I saw someone else do it with a piece of styrofoam which in my opinion looks and works better.

I am wondering it its possible to replace the dead button with a real button. Has anyone done it without spending the money for a completely new euro spec part?

[B-737]

they dont sell the button by itself. youd have to get it from the euro assembly. also, our US circuit boards are not back lit for that button.

[ebmiller88]

Originally Posted by bryanwxup

more of the related pictures..

Apparently there are two swithes that will work with the E9x, one with the bright trim work as pictured above and the other switch used is plain black. I'd prefer the switch with the trim but I ran the PN on the box as shown above and it didn't come up. Anyone know the differences in the switches?

Ed

EDIT: Post #549 has this info:

('09 switch) Part Number/Description
61 31 9 169 410 :Control elem

Post #550 has this:

410 is the U.S. switch, therefore no rear foglight button. The correct part number for the 09 with the rear foglight button should be 61 31 9 169 416. Tischer said they cannot order this part yet.

[tracerit]

what's the purpose of enabling this light? does it stay on when you push the button? or does it enable it to only light up wehn you put the car in reverse?

[96GS#007]

Was bored and can't sleep, so I did this mod tonight. Took about 30 minutes. I went the Lego route...I've spent enough money on them for the kids that I figured I'm entitled to a few pieces