Help w/ fog light install.

[1991318is]

Ya, I took my headlights out, and right below the headlights clumped into the wires which run across the front, you'll se them when you take the headlights out, the wires should be in there, and mine were run so that the plugins were in facing towards the kidneys in that direction.

[wrx2m42]

Hey everyone,
I just attempted to install my fog lights and had the worst time ever. I don't even want to go into every single detail. Although after many hours I finally had everything plugged in and ready to go. Sure enough, NO light from my fogs.

I have come to the following conclusions running certain tests, first the switch is fine, the relay is fine, but something is wrong with the 'switch' for the foglights itself. Therefore my question is this, is one of the wires for the switch (of the 2) powering the switch? Because it seems as though the switch isn't working properly when installed. The relay itself isn't clicking over although I know that the switch is operational and so is the relay from the various tests my friend helped me due.

He said that the switch needs to be powered and that we should create a wire from the battery and wire it up to the fog switch enabling the switch to have power. Is there an easier solution besides wiring power from the battery? I don't like the idea of tearing my car apart just to install the fogs.

Please shoot any idea's you guys might have out and I will answer them to the best of my knowledge. I really cannot believe how many problems I have had with this install.

Justin

[jajou318]

Did you install the two fuses needed?

[ak96ss]

You did remember to turn on your headlights first, right?  The factory fogs are wired such that the fog lights don't come on unless the headlights are on.

Good call on the fuses, and check the wire that the switch plugs in to; one of them (I can't remember which) should have +12V when your headlights are on.

[wrx2m42]

Did you install the two fuses needed?

Yes, they were actually already in there.

[wrx2m42]

You did remember to turn on your headlights first, right?  The factory fogs are wired such that the fog lights don't come on unless the headlights are on.

Good call on the fuses, and check the wire that the switch plugs in to; one of them (I can't remember which) should have +12V when your headlights are on.

Thanks for the response, yes I did have the headlights on. I think the problem lies in one of the wires going into the switch plug. For some reason I don't think it is getting power at all, or not the +12V needed.

My friend mentioned tapping into the battery source for a +12V power to the switch. Is there another source where I could get the necessary power for the switch besides tapping into the battery?

[ak96ss]

Sure, there is a big ol' connector under the dash that has +12V in several of the cavities, or you can pull it off the fuse box under the hood, or you can use the auxiliary fuse box under the hood if you have one.

I would find out where the problem is first - the multimeter is your friend!  

[Febi Guibo]

is it me, or does it seem odd that some of us can throw fogs in, no problem... and others it's like... asspain of the year?

is it possible* there are two versions of the headlight switch itself throwing a wrench into the process?



*possible, or more likely, already mentioned in a post i missed.

[wrx2m42]

is it me, or does it seem odd that some of us can throw fogs in, no problem... and others it's like... asspain of the year?

is it possible* there are two versions of the headlight switch itself throwing a wrench into the process?



*possible, or more likely, already mentioned in a post i missed.

I think this is a very good idea,
I have read posts, like mine, where it seems like a nightmare to install. I've never had such a hard time installing something on a car. And others it seems to be plug and play. I'm gonna get a multi-meter and check that wire I referred to in a earlier post.

If my assumptions are right, and it is the wire thats the problem. What's the Big ol' connector under the dash that I can tap into for power?

I don't want to wire to my battery, as my friend is suggesting. And I'd like to not create the hassle of tapping into the fuse box under the hood.

[M42Technik]

Oddly enough I found a headlight switch that had a part number on it ending in 311.

When I ran it through RealOEM and BMWFans, it did not come up at all. It is not an old number either. Its very odd. Anyways, to avoid headaches I am buying the correctly numbered switch...wish me luck.

[jajou318]

is it me, or does it seem odd that some of us can throw fogs in, no problem... and others it's like... asspain of the year?

Well mine went smooth after I found my harness after looking for it 3 times lol

[melloh]

I'm curious how this goes, too.  I started a thread months ago b/c I too had problems w/ the fogs... everything was in place and oddly, the fogs ended up working but without even having the (2-button) switch installed no matter what relay I used (as long as I used one)!  So, the fogs turn on when the headlights are turned on, but  I cannot switch them off independently cuz somehow it's bypassing the switch completely.  Odd.....

[Froos]

Sorry to revive this old threat budda, did you check you cluster to see if the little indicator light bulb is present? I think light might not work without a closed loop?