Thanks for the replies. I will give this a try.

Jim

 

If the rear fog lights are installed but not programmed do they still work in conjunction with the third (middle) brake light?

 

Is the wiring for the fogs already wired at the lamps or do we have to look for them? I already have the toggle in place but want to be sure there isn't any more wiring to do at the rear fog unit. I only see the wires going into the reverse side of the housing.

 

Oh figured it out, just saw the 3 wires back there one positive for reverse one for the fog and a ground for both. I got an appt for inspection for next month and really want this feature added.

 

I read through all 129 posts so far, but am vexed at the notion of dismantling the dash to get the the toggle socket. A few people have mentioned that the switch plate can simply be pulled off, toggle inserted, and new switch plate replaced. If I'm replacing the switch cover, why do I even care if the old one is ruined in the process?

I fear taking about 149 separate dash pieces to get to the toggle and getting it all back together without a lifetime of rattles just isn't worth the trouble.

 

I have a 2009 R56 Mini (not the Sport model), and I didn't waste my time with taking the entire dash apart (I don't know if other models/years are different). All you need is a small flat head screw driver. I worked the top out ( there are three places where it clips in, on the sides and one in the middle) by prying carefully, and then was able to pull the trim piece out without damage.

I then placed the plastic toggle piece in place and put the trim piece back into place, it took less than five minutes!

Good luck!

 

I'm still confused after reading multiple threads here about the reprogramming. I've heard three basic themes:

1) Dealer cannot add rear-fog option without reflashing the entire car. Many won't or can't figure out how to do it. If they rebuild the car's software from scratch, it should work.

2) Some people report getting the light working by activating NEBEL_SCHLUSSLEUCHTE using NCS Expert and/or adding $5AA to the VO. Not sure if this is year-specific information.

3) Some people say it just cannot be done :(

So, sorry to be only concerned with my own situation, but I have a 2008 with no fogs (front or rear). I just had a reflash done for the alarm retrofit by the dealer, so my software should be current. Assuming I have the pre-wiring and plug in the light fixture, toggle, and faceplate...can I in fact get the rear fog working and how?

If it's a fool's errand, I'll just go with the brake light mod. Thanks!

 

As I understand it, the problem with reprogramming started with the 2009 car. Seems like they started leaving out the necessary code at the factory that year. You should be fine with a 2008.

Jim

Jim

 

Thanks, I'm going to go for it. The weather where I live is often neblig oder schneebedeckt im Winter, so I would actually prefer having a working Nebelschlussleuchte .

My suggestion to BMW/Mini would be to pre-code for these options and automatically activate them when the circuit is complete (e.g., a toggle is plugged in). After looking at the parts I realized that the toggles aren't switches at all -- just plastic "handles" that push into an existing micro-switch.

User-customization is getting better each year, but I don't think I'll live to see the day when everything is configurable by the end user. The technology is certainly there, just not the motivation to empower the owner.

 

Just finished installing my rear fog light. Took perhaps 10 minutes in sub-freezing weather. To remove the switch cover, I was planning on using a small ratchet-type tie-down strap looped through the toggle separators and running behind the armrest to keep outward tension on the faceplate as I tried to free up the tabs. Never had to go that far. After looping the strap through the toggle separators, and giving the strap a tug, the faceplate just popped off. No prying, no dismantling of the dash. And no broken tabs.

Speaking of broken tabs, I unwrapped my new faceplate that I ordered from Mini of South Atlanta and I see that it is missing (as in broken off), the three retaining tabs at the top! Some son-of-a-byotch probably broke them off and then had the ***** to return the part. See photo...



I'll call Mini of SA tomorrow. I think I found a way to install the OEM front fogs, so I'll be buying a new switch plate (again) for that upgrade.

The rest of the installation was a piece of cake. Pop the light blank out from behind the bumper. Reach up behind the bumper and pull down the styrofoam to feel for the connector. Give it a tug (the tape will come loose and the wire and connector drop down). There's a small cutout in the styrofoam where the wire will pass through when you're done. Plug in the socket, push in the light fixture and then CODE. I'm still waiting for my K+DCAN cable and NCSExpert, SSS, INPA, DIS DVD. Once I sort all that out, I'll have a WORKING rear fog, not just an ornamental one.

 

Definitely doable, the hardest part is getting NCS Expert working. I wasted two weeks trying to get a working version of BMW SSS, but finally gave up when I realized the NCSExpert would do the same job. There are some good guides for installing it. I have a new computer on order, and will try to repeat the install so I can do other mods in the future, so I hope to write a inclusive how-to article for Minis! It probably won't be until the spring though looking at my work travel schedule

 

The convertible combines the front fog light and rear fog light in one switch. Up once for front fogs on - repeat for off. Down for rear fogs.

Is there any chance I can get the rear fogs working on a 2010 convertible given that the switch is already there?

Thanks,

Larry

 

I just found this thread after buying the rear fog light kit from OutMotoring , used the June discount code too ! ( nam612 )
Looking over this thread at break time went out to my car and using dental picks as suggested in previous post popped of the switch cover plate as pictured in D@G post #135 . Took all of 5 minutes. No need to pull whole dash apart ... Yippieee!!!!
Now just have to wait for the mail man to bring the fog lights and little fog light toggle for dash.

So is the consensus that a 2007 , 2008 can be programed by dealer and only the 2009 has a problem ?

 

guys, I used the rear fog light to operate the after market front fogs I added. Here's what's important: After buying the toggle panel, I flipped the rear fog toggle and it lit up the dash icon! I thot it just mite be possible that from the factory, the car was already programmed. Today I ran the appropriate wire and voila! It worked. now my rear fog toggle works the two front huge fog lights complete with the lighted icon in the dash. BEFORE having Mini program your computer, CHECK!!

 

Ok , fog lights arrived Saturday at 11 am , by 11:20 am had them installed and connected , had toggle switch in dash and plate back on . Tried switch and no luck with mine being pre-programed. So looks like I will be buying
http://www.ecutool.com/productshow.asp?id=1939&sortsid=&sorts=&
source=linkshare&siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-wjS7J3eN3zQroMfanwg9lg

I am hoping this is the correct cable to use with NcsExpert and my 2007 MCS. I will hopefully be following the DIY threads found on this forum.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3266984

If anyone wants to chime in and tell me something like wrong cable or no use this guide to program rear fog lights . I am all ears .

 

Read through the thread, and I didn't see mention of a 2012 at all. I've got a recently-purchased 2012 MCS that, while it didn't have the rear fog option from the factory, has the lights installed and wired (See pic), but no toggle inside.



Were the 2009 model-year issues overcome? Anybody know if I stick a toggle in there, will I be able to (either by reflash or rebuild) get the fogs to work? I'd like to know what to ask my SA for.

 

Jalvani , you can buy just the toggle switch from many places about $8 to $ 10 .
Here is one place to get your switch http://www.waymotorworks.com/rear-fo...7-r58-r59.html

I installed mine , by looking at the picture of switch plate cover post # 135 , and slipping some curved dental picks in appropriate places and pulling firmly being careful not to scratch the cover plate. Popped right off , installed switch in less than 10 minutes . No need to pull whole dash apart .
I ordered my cable to program the rear fog lights for my 2007 MCS using NcsExpert , but have not tried yet because cable has not arrived.

 

Hubs, yeah, I guess that's the question. I saw your post, and physically getting a toggle in there doesn't look difficult. With the troubles that the 2009 models had, I'm wondering if it'll be possible at all to program the car to have the switch working.

 

I have seen on the NCSExpert spread sheet people were successful programing a 2011 . Looking at your signature looks like you have a 2012 . Why ask about a 2009?

 

I'm asking if the issue seen in the '09 models was resolved in subsequent years. Since mine is a '12, if I need to ask my SA to rebuild the car's ECU, I'd like to know that when I call him. Planning a project, no matter how small, makes the project go much smoother.

 

Installed the lights and toggle in about 15 minutes. The longest part was getting the blank toggle out of the switch panel. Car had to go to the dealer for a coolant leak around the thermostat housing so i'm having them program the lights ($150.00). Hoping everything works. We'll see tomorrow.

 

I brought my 2010 MCS Convertible in to the dealer today for an oil change and asked about the Rear Fog Light retrofit. After some research he got back to me that it was a huge job that I didn't want to get into. He said I needed a new switch, ,a new ECU (or some other module) and major reprogramming. Since the Convertible manual says you push the switch up to control the front fogs and push the switch down to control the rear fogs, I'm not sure how accurate that was.

 

Just picked up my car from the dealer. They said it is not possible to activate the rear fog lights. I have a 2008 MCS. I'm thinking that the dealer didn't want to spend the time trouble shooting this issue.
I live in central Connecticut. Can anyone help me out?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...install-2.html

Thanks to following this thread and the tread link above, i was able to do the rear fog retrofit. Took 10 minutes to pull the toggle cover out by grabbing the rings evenly. Put the toggle in. Then add rear fog to VO with NCS Expert to FRM and CAS and default the modules.

this is done to a 2011 Canadian spec Mini Cooper Classic

 

I finally removed the switch cover using a very small flat screwdriver sandwiched in between business cards as to not to scratch the console.

I activated NEBEL_SCHLUSSLEUCHTE in IHKS and added $5AA to the VO in CAS and FRM modules, but only the left lights turns on.
I switched the right fog light to the left side see if it was the right light or socket, but it worked fine when connected to the left side cable.

Is it possible I have a bad wire or do I need to add someting else in NCSExpert?