Fog lights switch?

Philippe db

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Hi Guys,

If I were to install fog lights on the front bumper I was wondering if there ever existed an original switch for these lights. If so where would it be positioned?

Many thanks in advance.
 
Yes that is how they do it in the manual:

http://www.e9-driven.com/Public/Library/BMW-E9-Manual/pages/en/63171550.html#refertoc

17155025_z.jpg
 
Thanks Steve, makes sense.

I was offered a set of fog lights like the ones in the picture below. Still wondering though if these improve the general look with their rectangular shape? Not that I would ever need them so I would just add them for style/esthetical reasons.
 

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Go with round fogs, much more aesthetically pleasing.

Check ebay for the green button switch, they appear every so often for $50+, can also use a hazard light switch in the interim until you can source a green button, they unscrew in case the lighting bulb burns out.
 

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Thanks Steve, makes sense.

I was offered a set of fog lights like the ones in the picture below. Still wondering though if these improve the general look with their rectangular shape? Not that I would ever need them so I would just add them for style/esthetical reasons.

those are very period correct, but i agree on round ones, and yellow too,...



btw, these are not fog, but driving lights
 
Ditto! Mine are also driving lights with yellow bulbs. If you are going with rectangle, I'd mount them under the bumper.

IMG_1147.JPG



those are very period correct, but i agree on round ones, and yellow too,...

btw, these are not fog, but driving lights
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the input and the additional pictures. Gives me something to think about.

Just one more question because you mention that these are extra driving lights not fog lights.

How are these operated? I assume there was no stock switch to operate such a set.
 
Fog and driving lights can be controlled by green button or yellow button switches located under the dash on the left side of the steering column, pictured in previous post, or to the right of the defroster switch on the left.

As I posted before, these can be found on ebay from time to time.
 
Fog and driving lights can be controlled by green button or yellow button switches located under the dash on the left side of the steering column, pictured in previous post, or to the right of the defroster switch on the left.

As I posted before, these can be found on ebay from time to time.

Thanks Andrew,

I have all these buttons in place but don't see how one and the same button could control the rear fog light and front driving lights. I understand that the green button could control both head and rear fog lights.

The ones on the right control hazard lights and rear window defroster, how would you add front driving lights to these?
 
You wouldn't use these, the instructions in the manual link I posted shows how to connect to the green switch.

Fog lights typically are supposed to be on with the low beams and off with the high beams depending on laws, plus you don't want high beams on in fog. This is why they are wired to the back fog light, same conditions for their use.

Driving lights (in my case) come on when the high beams are on in order to light up the road far away. I have a separate switch to turn them off when I don't need them on with the high beams. So my driving lights are triggered by the high beam feed in the wiring harness not the green button. They get dimmed with the high beams for on coming traffic so you don't want to keep pushing the button and flipping the stalk switch for traffic.

Therefore different wiring for different lights for different uses (and different lenses). If you are actually going to be driving in fog then typically you want lights mounted as low as possible to avoid reflection, if you want the deserted road lit up far away then driving lights mounted above bumper are approriate.

If you don't drive in either of those conditions, then just install what you think looks the coolest :-)

The ones on the right control hazard lights and rear window defroster, how would you add front driving lights to these?
 
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My hazard switch is on the dash face to the right of the steering wheel, I assume all E9s hazard switches are in this location. :confused:

Whether driving or fogs on the front, the green button switch should be wired to power them. If one is running both driving and fogs, two switches will be needed unless, the driving lights are powered by the headlight switch and turn on with the high beams. This is how my 2002Tii driving lights are wired.

Please post a pic of your switch locations.
 

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Hey Steve - have you ever had a problem with the US DOT "two sets of front lights" rule?
 
No, they're legal in LA as long as they are dimmed along with the high beams and not mounted too high, the only time I ever use them is when the road is deserted at night or early am, and that is very rare. Honestly, I like the eye candy aspect.

I will say the yellow light, although it's effectiveness vs. white is debateable especially as a driving light, is very pleasing to the eye. I wish I could have all yellow lights, high and low. But that would get me pulled over by Junior and Billy-Bob. 8-)


Hey Steve - have you ever had a problem with the US DOT "two sets of front lights" rule?
 
Hi guys,

Decided to go for a pair of yellow round Fog lights for the Csi.

Here is what I managed to pick up yesterday. NOS Marchal 14cm round Fogs in mint condition.

Do you guys think this is a period correct pair to use on an E9?
 

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