My 2022 Countryman JCW has the blanks where what I assume a factory fog light switch would go…
being a JCW car, mine wasn’t optioned either the factory fogs.
does anyone know if the harness is in place even if the lamps are not optioned?
it would be awfully nice to be able to plug in a factory switch, relay and then add a top shelf set of aftermarket lights.

thoughts?

 

Hi Dave,
Unlike in the days of old, the blank is not just open space behind and the switch is not an independent button- it’s a complete light control module that is spec’d for the fog option. The euro models come with both buttons for front and rear fog (wiring and even bulb in the rear should be in place, just need the euro module and recoding). Assuming the complete module is the same for earlier F60’s, you could just get the lighting control on eBay (from a wrecker) with the fog button and it should plug right in- and the wiring under the bumper is most likely there and tucked away(you would need to verify). You would need to figure out how to get that wiring up to the bumper if there is enough slack, and it would theoretically function as the factory valance mounted fogs do which is only on when the button is depressed and with the low beams only.
My ‘17 came with factory fogs but I wanted to run aftermarket lights on the bumper. I explored the factory “driving lights” kit which uses a separate switch that is mounted on the right side of the steering column,



but these only operate when the high beams are on (for night rural driving that’s fine but not a “fog” option). Getting it done from the dealer is the easiest option but will run you north of $1k+ installed and you are limited to the factory 5” LED kit and high beam coupling only.
Since I wanted to actually run my fogs in foul weather (funny that), I opted to go outside the factory design and went with the Hella 500 fog kit (different beam pattern than the driving lights). And yellow bulbs (can also use yellow gels). I used the Cravenspeed brackets and followed their install instructions,


I opted to use a 12v switch mounted in the center console above the 12v plug (cigarette lighter plug). The stock Hella switch is 120v (why I don’t know) so will work but won’t illuminate- you either need to replace the led inside with a 12v (which it’s not meant to be taken apart) or just get a 12v switch.


I used an add-a-circuit (CS shows this in their instructions) in the fuse box to tap into a switched circuit so it cuts the fogs when the ignition is off.
I can operate the bumper fogs independently of the factory lighting system which allows me to turn off the white headlights completely and run only the yellow in foul weather if I want, and without fear of accidentally leaving them on when I get out of the car.


The nice thing about going this route it that it’s completely reversible (I would just need to replace the center panel I drilled for the switch- which are abundant on eBay cheaply) and there would be no trace of it.
PM me if you have an questions about going this route for install, there were a few quirks that required improv- but it’s no harder than wiring in an aftermarket stereo back in the day.

 

Hi there. Did you have any luck finding the fog light switches that go in those blanks. I have a 2022 US spec with the front fog light switch installed already in the top one and a blank in the bottom one. I'm in the UK and it requires the rear fog light switch. My googlefu for car parts is apparently not great and I cannot find this switch module. Hoping you had luck when looking?