Fog light install (91 318is) help, please

[melloh]

Forgive my laziness... but I will just be copy and pasting a message I posted on the bmwe30.net and roadfly forums.  Someone from roadfly redirected me here.. and I'm glad he did b/c I never knew this site existed!  Here goes:

Aloha, all. My adventures w/ installing the oem-style fogs into the bumper, I have reached an impasse. Apologies ahead of time for the length. You probably only need to read the end.

What I've done:

1) Bought used fogs w/ lights supposedly installed
2) bought used 2-button fog switch
3) bought clips from dealer for installing the fog BLANKS
4) located wiring for fogs
5) MAYBE? located wiring for switch (the only thing I found under/behind the dash that was even close to fitting the fog switch required that I break off a plastic nub w/ a painted blue dot on the tip so that it wouls fit)
6) from dealer, installed generic? 5-prong relay - had to break off the middle.
7) put in 7.5 fusein #29 an 30 (there was a 30 in both before. why? I dont know)

RESULTS:
When I turn on headlights - the driver-side fog turns on w/ it (in the end, i think the passenger fog bulb must be out.. will check soon to confirm)

The switch seems to do NOTHING!. Flipped it over - nothing. Took it out.. and the (driver) fog would still turn on w/ the headlights. I'm confused!!! It seems I cannot control the fog lights. I even swapped relays around - same thing.

FINALLY - the clips I got will NOT hold the fog lights. Any tips on where to find the right clips? Part #? I thought I was sneaky-smart getting the clips for the blanks b/c the dealer told me "we wont carry them b/c the fog lights were an aftermarket item"--- bastards.

ANY and all help is appreciated. Thanks much for your time and patience!!!!

[Febi Guibo]

this may help you:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157&highlight=foglight

(paging shellback!)

the relay you want is: 61.31-1374631
(I have one brand new if you need it, $15 shipped)

the foglight body screws and expanding plastic nuts are
( #07119916941, and #63171367868

I recommend talking to
vaheh at crevierbmw.com
or patrick at BMAparts.com

(not affiliated, just two titans of dealer parts who have helped me in the past)

in general, I'm not sure about your steps #5 and #6 ...I've never had to really do anything like that, and I'm a convicted fiddler with stuff like this...


Let us know where you are at and how you are doing...

[melloh]

Thanks.  The p/n will help.  I'm still wondering why my fog would turn on regardless of the switch, though.  Must be the wrong relay.  I'll have to check my pn/  I wonder if  they'll let me return it (i doubt it, though....)

[melloh]

Ok, so I followed the links and have it all installed.  One problem persists...

Here's the dilly:

61 31 1 380 013 (updated relay) installed: NO LIGHT!  Switch will not turn on the fogs.  

Using the 'generic' relay (or even using the relay from the headlights):  Fog lights ON, but I cannot turn them off!?!?  Unplugging the switch has NO effect.

So what's going on here?  My best guess is that the headlight/generic relay is bypassing the switch.  The 'correct' relay is not.  So if this is true, then the switch is not working (or maybe I installed it wrong?)?  

In reading the links, I couldn't find any topics like this mentioned.  Hopefully someone here knows what I'm talking about.  Thanks much in advance.

[Vladi]

I installed my fogs yesterday.
All i needed were the fogs, the connectors were already there, so plug and play.
Installed the foglight relay (i have a 4 pin one and it works) and changed my rear foglight switch with the double one wich controls both front and rear foglights. That's all, just plug and play.

[melloh]

Thanks for the reply.  But, everything is in.  I know the lights will work, but I cannot toggle them w/ the switch.  Anyone in the Bay Area (California) have one I can borrow just to try to see if it is indeed my switch?  Specifically, I'm in San Jose.  Not sure I can explain the situation any better...  Thanks in advance.

Henry

[m42 fan]

OK, here's how you can test the switch.  

First, get a digital multi-meter.  Borrow one from a friend, or you can pick one up at Sears or Radio Shack or somewhere like that for fairly cheap.  If you can't get access to one, just take the switch into your local parts store.  Someone in there should have one they will let you use for the 30 seconds this test will take.

Unhook the switch from the wires.  This makes sure you are only reading the resistance of the switch, not components in the car.

Measure the resistance between the contacts with the switch "off".  The reading should be infinate (or at least really high).  

Next, place the switch in the "on" position.  Your reading should drop to zero, or nearly zero.

if your switch behaved as I described, it is fine, look elsewhere for your problem.  The two types of problems you might encounter with the switch are: 1)  always infinate resisatance or 2) always no resistance.  If I am understanding your symptoms right, it sounds like you would have no resistance, which would effectively turn the switch into s straight wire.

hth

Brian

[melloh]

Unfortunately, the switch passed.  Off ('up') postition - infinite, on (pressed) - flat 0.00.

I'm not sure where else to look or how.

Fuse:  if it were the fuse, I imagine the lights wouldnt even turn on at all

Relay:  not sure how to test this.

Wrong plug:  Is it possible I'm plugging the switch in the wrong place?  I have tried to flip-flop the switch, no effect.  Yes - have tried both switches (2-button switch).  Being a 2-button, does it have to have a rear fog installed?  I imagine it doesnt.  I'm lost!

Thanks again for any advice/help.

Henry

[m42 fan]

OK, you know your switch is good.  We just saved you $25 right there, that's the good news.

I'm a little confused about your symptoms.  Do the fog lights stay on all the time?  Only with the low beams?  Does the switch have any effect at all?

Let me know.  We'll have this problem solved, I promise.

Brian

[melloh]

Ha ha... thanks!  

Here it is.

With regular relay (same as headlights):

turn headlights on - fog goes on.
Re: switch... fogs will turn on regardless of switch position.  it will stay on even when i pull the switch out!!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With 'correct' relay (as mentioned above):
turn lights on - NO fog.
Toggling switch - NO effect (fog stays off)
FYI: headlights unaffected - stay on


It seems funny, that's why I'm confused.  I will try to confirm this again tomorrow night and go through it more 'scientifically' just to be sure I didn't make a mistake.  Oh, and just for kicks, I will see what happens when I toggle the high beams, too.  So I guess... more to come!

[dude8383]

so you're saying when the headlights are off...you can turn the fogs on separately?

Thats pretty damn cool if ya ask me..

[melloh]

Sorry for the confusion... but no.  I wish!  Fog will ONLY turn on IF:

1) headlights on
2) using generic relay OR relay same as one for headlights

note: in this situation... fog light is NOT dependent on fog switch.  In fact, this will work even if the switch is NOT plugged in!!  (As a consequence, I cannot toggle the fogs OFF independently.)

(Caps not meant to be rude... just for emphasis)

Does this clear it up any?

Just got back from class... will test it tonight after i get back from reading/study session.

[ak96ss]

Sorry for the confusion... but no.  I wish!  Fog will ONLY turn on IF:

1) headlights on
2) using generic relay OR relay same as one for headlights

note: in this situation... fog light is NOT dependent on fog switch.  In fact, this will work even if the switch is NOT plugged in!!  (As a consequence, I cannot toggle the fogs OFF independently.)

(Caps not meant to be rude... just for emphasis)

Does this clear it up any?

Just got back from class... will test it tonight after i get back from reading/study session.

Can you please confirm the color of the wires that you are connecting to the fog light switch? I did not have to break anything off to install mine...

Also, the two-button switch is not a direct plug-n-play, as the US harness is not configured correctly for it.

Pictures would be marvelous.

[melloh]

Sorry I haven't gotten back to y'all (3 tests this week).  Well, I only had a little time to confirm the results.  I can tell you this:  the switch is sitting next to me yet the fogs will turn on w/ the lights (using the same relay as the headlights).  Basically... everything I posted earlier remains true.

Regarding pictures... good idea!  I will have to source a digital camera.  Unfortunately, the earliest I can do that is next week (going to LA to pick up my e21 this weekend).

[melloh]

Ok.  Got the pictures finally.  Let me know if I need more, please!







Thess are the images of where I have been plugging in the switch.  It was behind the oragne box... had to coax it out.  Couldnt find anything else that the fog switch might fit into.




The red circle is where i pulled off a small plastic nub (w/ blue paint on the tip).  This is a 2-button switch.  Clearly only wiring for one.  Should I just get a 1-button switch?