Does anyone have any advice about installing the rear fog light into a 2005 MCS?

I understand that wiring is already in place. How hard is it to install the switch and mount the light? [On a scale of 1-10 (1 = can be done by a 7 year old without tools to 10 = an electrical engineer Zen master).]

Thanks

PKMINI

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05 MCS JB/W, Chrome ext, Prem, Sport, Cold, Red Tartan, HK.

 

i would say about a 3.. will need torq driver for the side pillars (bit more strenght than a 7 year old to remove) besides that its two other small tors screws and one plug in for the wires.. then reassemble.. will also need your dealer to acitvate the pin for them to work. Total time 5 mins' not including dealer to activate pin

 

Are there instructions anywhere to do this, ie install rear fog?

 

The wiring is not there for some early USA '05 MINIs.

Also, you need the dealership to activate the function, even if you install the new toggle switch panel and light yourself.

 

... and if you do it yourself, you run the risk of the dealer later invalidating your warranty for electricals...

 

Installation is very easy and if you purchase the toggle panel from the dealer it comes with instructions. As far as the warranty goes it should not void your warranty. It really bugs when someone posts in every thread that something you do may void your warranty. (it reminds of the crying wolf story). You can tell the dealer it was installed by your mechanic, I changed my panel took it my dealer and they activiated the light. Never had any issues. They sell you the part you can have it installed by means available to you, even if the mechanic is you.

 

yeah, screw the warranty. I'd fight it if it came down to an electrical part. I'm using Mini oem parts this is no 3rd party stuff. This is easy and I even need to run the harness too, just ordered it $17.50. Michael

Another question follows about removal of rear bumper cover in the new post?

 

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those of us who experienced (prolonged and unresolved) issues with our minis, particularly involving the cpu/electricals, will vouch for bmw's very adamant stance on installation of accessories (regarless of whom/where they are purchased from!), and the strong likelyhood that the company may void the warranty as a result. my mini was eventually bought back from the company over performance with the central computer which they could not correct. had i, for example, installed (even factory) driving lights myself instead of utilizing the dealer, they would have siezed on that. NO WAY would i ever consider an even minor change/addition to electricals on my own, (nor with assistance of a "mechanic," that will NOT suffice). bmw is very harsh in this regard, and warns buyers, both in the manual, and-- you probably peeled off the sticker that they used as a final warning on your windscreen...

 

Well, I guess your dealer sucks, I have many mods on my MCSC and have never been denied any warranty work. I have added extra power outlets, electrical gauges, brake light mod, hardwired my Passport 8500 and added hardwired video camera also. No issue, no problems and great service. I have upgraded my brakes and I know they are not covered and I would not want them to touch and I make that clear to them, I can however take the brakes to stock and they have told that I would not have any issues if I did that. I have heard of people saying they got denied warranty work, but I take that with a grain of salt. If installing the switch panel worries you and you are worried about making any mods with the dealer doing them, I say leave it stock or pay the dealer the big bucks that they holding over your head with logic of voiding the warranty.

 

i bought the kit from MyMini and it could not have been easier to install. 20 minutes total. an easy DIY. the instructions were spot-on.

 

Did you have to purchase the switch pack from the dealership? Or did you just purchase the MINI rear brake light kit from MyMini?

 

i got my unit from MyMini. their service is awesome. they sell both the brake and the back-up light versions. i got the back-up light kit. no switch kit was necessary. it took less than 30 minutes to install. very easy with great instructions.

 

No Switch Kit? Did you already have the toggle switch pack, or does the kit from MyMini just work without it? I also read the dealer would have to do some programming.

 

I think we are talking about different things here. The MyMini kits put either a brake or a back-up light where the factory fog would go. No toggle switch needed.

Actually putting in the rear fog requires a toggle switch and activation of the feature.

 

I believe it's July 04 thru Sept 04 builds.

 

All 05's built prior to 10/04/2004 do not have the harness for for the light. IF you are unsure pop out the black cover, if you have the harness it will be taped to the frame directly inside the cover. You need to look up at the cross frame, it is with a hands reach.

 

That is true. My dealer wants mininum 2 hours labor to put the wiring in provided the wiring is available. I'm a bit miffed that my car came with the toggle but rear foglight was not available for N. American cars at the time. Now I have a functioning toggle (the orange light on the toggle comes one) but no rear foglight or wiring.

I'll probably bite the bullet and install the rear fog later in the fall. I believe the light unit itself is much less expensive if I bought it from myMINI. It was over $50CDN just for the light.

 

I had the rear fog light installed on my July 05 build MCC by the dealer yesterday. It required these parts: universal socket, contact, switch toggle bank, rear fog light. Total for parts was $126.63 and labor was 1 hour. They did not have to install the wiring.

I have the OEM part numbers/prices if anyone wants or needs them.

 

I swapped my Red rear fog housing for a clear housing (from a 02-04 reverse housing) and put a red bulb in it and it is not nearly as bright, strangely the housing shape is different. The Red fog housing is designed for a more spot light beam pattern, whereas the clear reverse housing is designed for a wider spread light beam pattern. I may put the red one back on at some point in the future.

BTW i have swapped almost all of my exterior lighting (OEM clear 3rd brake light, clear fog light, and OEM European taillights) and my dealer not only didnt have issues as far as warranty but loved the way it looked and the Service Advisor wants to do the same (his car already has intake, pulley, and springs) so if he can do it without worrying about warranty i think i will be fine too.

 

PM sent

 

PM sent

Looking for the OEM part numbers. I too am looking forward to installing this.

 

How much does the dealer charce for only activation of the switch?

 

Most charge a 1/2 hour minimum, so in LA it will be a few hundred dollars.
Seriously though, in Mt. View, the rate is $140, so it cost me $70 to get my alarm 'recognized'.

 

Gotta love LA