I would also be interested to know how much they charged. I have an email out to my Service Advisor at prestige mini.

 

One hour of labor at $120 @ Prestige.

 

Just got back from Flow Mini in Raleigh and have the same programming issue with my wife's 2008 MCS. The dealer told me they could do it before I ordered the parts so I took the car in. The shop foreman "reprogrammed" the car which took over an hour but updated all the software modules that were currently in the car. This did not activate the rear fog-lights.

He then "encoded" and "reprogrammed" the car, which took 1 hour 20 minutes, but could not specifically add the rear-fog lights. He said that big-ticket additions such as Satellite Radio and Alarms will have their own software modules that he can grab and reprogram...the rear-fog lights do not. So they still do not work. We verified that the installation was correct as well.

So he has put in a call to Mini USA for the new software module for my car and will get back to me next week on whether Mini will send me one.

BTW, they did not charge me for today's work (2+ hours) but their normal charge is about $100/hour.

Cheers

 

Bad news...

My car aparently falls into the year group where the FM module does not contain all the encoding for all of the available accessories and cannot simply be reprogrammed. The new module (hardware) is $400. :(

 

What is the trick to get the rear fog lamps to activate on a 2010 Clubman? My local dealer had the car for a week trying to activate them and finally gave up and told me to get my car out of the dealership. They told me that Mini Technical Services told them that there is no way to retro fit rear fog lights on R55-R56-R57 vehicles (BS?). After a week of a rental car, I figured I would be better off going somewhre else and took my car back.

 

Now I'm being told that it is impossible to retrofit the fog lights on ANY American R56 models. I know this is false as has been proven here however MiniUSA will not help. I was doing the retrofit so I could take my car to Europe where rear fog-lights were required but they will still not help.

Their only solution was to contact MiniEurope and see if they can modify the car once I arrive.

Sorry for less than stellar news.

 

Hello,

I am in France now and I brought my Mini to a Mini dealer to have him activate the rear fog light. He thought it was a no problem task, but after trying he found out that the fog light option is not in the computer software. He contacted BMW France who told him that they would not support any hardware/software change to permit activation of the light on a USA bought car.

One thing is sure: I will never buy BMW again.

The only option left to me now is to add a switch, an indicator light, a logic and wiring to activate the rear fog light.

 

Thank you Jimbou. That's unfortunate.

 

I think the easiest thing to do is just to wire them up to your brake lights... It will definitely add to the already blinding brake lights on these cars!

 

In Europe, the rear fog light is mandatory as a rear fog light, controlled by a switch on the instrument panel when the headlights are on. It is forbidden to use it as an additional brake light.

I think California has similar requirements.

 

I just picked up my new 2011 Cooper S on Sunday. No rear fog light but in the new 2011 models, the only difference between one with a fog light and one without is the toggle switch on the inside toggle switch pannel...

From what I am reading here, the 2011 cannot support the retrofit. Is this correct?

 

 

was looking at the how to on removing the center and thought, can it just be removed by taking off the lower side panels by the foot wells and the screws behind it and just rmove it like that without having to take the whole dash apart?

 

See post 82
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...04-post82.html

 

I wish there were some pics. I am trying to visualize it lol

 

^^^yes please. I was looking at a console from a 08-09. Took it apart and can see that that peice is held on by 5 clips moulded into the switch assembly but cant see how something can be slid between the two to pop it off. Flyinace2000 if you have any pics it would really help. thanks.

 

No pics yet. Haven't attempted.

 

Please take some if/when you do :D

 

Hate to revive this thread but I just put the toggle switch for the rear lights. Was at my friends house that had a little metal pick set. Looks like the thing the dentist uses for your teeth. I stick the pick under the toggle switch area where it meets the dash. Like under the two window toggles and gently but with force pulled forward and pop the left side came out then moved to the right side and did the same. Then I just popped a switch into the panel and popped the black plug off the toggle panel I just took off. Now the hassle of finding someone to reprogram the rear fog feature. Anyone on here that can do it? Id rather pay a fellow member than the dealership.

 

I can confirm that the 2011 MCs has the required wiring in place for the rear fogs.

Also, removal of the entire center portion of the dash does not have to be done to access the control levers. The trim covering the switches can carefully be pulled directly out.

Adding a new switch and reprogramming the appropriate modules will activate the rear fog functionality.

If anyone is interested, using NCS Expert, you must add the rear fog code ($5AA) to the VO, which is stored in the CAS and FRM module, and default the car to get the rear fogs to work. I can elaborate on this procedure if anyone is interested.

 

Do you happen to have the PART NUMBER for the switch?

 

I have the 2009, all the wiring is there and I installed all the parts. The dealer attempted the program and the computer recognizes the rear fog light, but will not turn it on. I get a "light out" warning, when the rear fog is connected, but the switch will not work. Do you have any ideas?

Jim

 

In speaking with the parts specialist at my MINI Dealer...

They could activate the REAR FOG on the FRONT FOG switch. Meaning up for FRONT, down for REAR. He stated that you would have to replace the WHOLE AUTO A/C unit if you want the switch to work in the rear fog spot. But, if you wanted to fill the spot, you could order the toggle switch and a new cover but the switch would be dormant - looks only. I asked for pricing of the dummy switch and cover to see if it's worth the FINISHED LOOK. I'll let you know more details as I get them... and what I decided to do.

DonOnCapeCod

 

I finally got NCS updated after about a week of reading message boards. Can you provide directions on how to add this code using NCS-Expert? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Alex

 

Using NCS-Expert I was able to activate the rear foglight in my 2009 R56 by activating "NEBEL_SCHLUSSLEUCHTE" in the IHKS module. :-)