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05-16-2011, 09:22 PM | #1 |
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Rear fog lights in US Z4s
Does anyone know if the Z4, like the E9X cars sold in the US, is equipped with rear fog lights but needs a Euro switch to allow them to be used?
I installed a Euro switch in both of my E93 verts and would like to be able to use the rear fog lights in my Z4 as we often have very foggy mornings here in western MD. If anyone knows a source to order the switch please post. I have emailed a potential source in Europe and am waiting for a reply. I understand US dealers can no longer sell the Euro switches. Thanks.
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05-17-2011, 06:03 AM | #2 | |
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Quote:
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E8...element_light/
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05-17-2011, 04:40 PM | #4 |
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Did you find if the connector exists where the switch would go?
If so is there power going to the switch? If so shunt it and see if the light comes on, before ordering the switch.
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05-17-2011, 05:00 PM | #5 |
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At the risk of sounding stupid- what actually lights up in the back when the rear fog light is activated? I know on the Mini I drove in the UK there was a separate lamp on the rear, but what does the switch activate on the Z4?
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05-17-2011, 05:12 PM | #6 | |
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05-17-2011, 07:45 PM | #7 | |
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Here is what I found out so far: I got this part number and need help confirming that it will work. 61 31 9 184 275 Any help would be appreciated. Found a source in Europe (Denmark) but part is not returnable so I want to make sure it will work. Vendor says they aren't sure and the car may have to be "coded" by a dealer. What does this mean?
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05-17-2011, 07:47 PM | #8 | |
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I would like to confirm that the wiring and bulbs are in place to make the Euro switch useable as in the E9X cars.
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05-20-2011, 02:45 PM | #9 |
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Anyone have a suggestion as to how to confirm that a Euro switch will work in our cars? Thanks.
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05-20-2011, 08:40 PM | #11 |
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Negative. The rear fog lights in the E9X cars work perfectly after either installing the Euro switch or modifying the US switch so that it will work. The light switch in the E9X cars have a "blank" button that controls the rear fog lights, all that needs to be done is remove a couple tabs on the back of the button and it works perfectly. With the Z4 you have to replace the switch. I am trying to confirm if the Euro switch can be installed in US cars. The source I found to supply the switch says that he does not know if US cars have the rear fog lights installed and he says the car might have to be coded. The switch is just under $100 plus $20 shipping. It is not returnable so I want to try and confirm it will work before I order it.
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05-21-2011, 08:52 AM | #13 |
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Me too. How about one of your folks living in Europe? Can you give us some help? Can you post a close up picture of your light switch and also one of the car with the rear fog lights turned on?
If you have any knowledge of how to remove and replace the switch please post. Thanks.
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05-22-2011, 12:19 PM | #14 | |
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The lower left side of the cluster is lit up when the fog lights are turned on. Otherwise it would be just as dark as the lower right side in the photo. The light bulb is right there in the middle of the lower left section, but it's too dark in my garage to take a photo of it. The light switch looks exactly like the CAD image you linked to, so I don't think a photo of it would help you. |
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05-22-2011, 02:13 PM | #15 | |
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05-23-2011, 12:13 AM | #17 | |
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05-23-2011, 08:35 PM | #18 | |
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Thanks very much. One more request, can one of you in Europe take a close up photo of your light switch? I want to see if it is the same size and shape as the US switch. If it is, I am pretty confident I can buy a Euro switch and it should work. I really appreciate your help. It's a shame that the US cars don't have a switch that can use these fog lights. I often experience heavy fog driving in the early morning and could use them to ensure I don't get rear ended.
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05-23-2011, 09:55 PM | #19 |
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Very interested too. We don't even front fogs on the e89... Maybe because the car is already low?
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05-23-2011, 11:21 PM | #20 |
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EU pictured - PN 61319184275 for EU Switch (left hand drive). 61319184277 US Switch. Both switch PN's w/rain sensors. From OEM parts diagram they appear to be the same with the exception of the "Rear Fog" switch in the upper right corner of switch module on EU units (blank for US). For the EU switch its $95 US dollars at www. schmiedmann.com (from from BMWCCA Roundel) don't know if they deliver to US. Sounds like a prettry good price for a BMW electrical part. Anyway it appears that either switch layout is compatible, as i would expect it to be - now for the wiring? It appears they use the outer brake light for the fog light. Is the US harness compatible? Seems as if you had some prior experience. Is it a simple plug and play?
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05-24-2011, 01:34 PM | #22 |
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The entire Switch panel is held in place by 3 clips, 1 in the upper left, 2 on the right side, pull the upper left one out first and then wiggle the right side out. The swtich is held to the trim plate by a few clips you can unclip with a small screwdriver. All the wires are on a single loom.
Picture 1 - shows the Rear Fog indicator on the Dash to the right of the seatbelt warning light. On my US spec 318ti the wires were in place, but the bulb was missing, not sure how the Z4 is configured but only wanted to dig so far. Picture 2 - Normal rear lights [No Brakes] Picture 3 - Rear Fogs turned on, which simply turns on the outside brake lights on both rear lights. Picture 4 - shows the European Switch Panel on a Left Hand drive car, looks to be the same as the Right Hand Drive car. Picture E - [the Money Shot] shows the back of the switch and the 3 retaining clips. There should be 7 wires coming out of the connector as follows: Purple [Thin Wire] Black [Thin Wire] Yellow w/Black Stripe [Thin Wire] Yellow Green Brown w/Black Stripe Green w/Yellow Stripe, or maybe Yellow w/Green Stripe |
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