Hello there,

I am trying to get some things squared away on my Mini before having it shipped up to Alaska. One of the things I'd like to have done is the addition of rear fog lights and the corresponding switch panel.

Have any of you with '04 models added the rear fog lights? The dealer I talked to in the Bay Area (Mini of Mountain View) said they could not add the switches or rear fog lights because this would be considered an "unauthorized modification" to the car's original configuration, and hinted that it would void my warranty.

All I wanted was for the switch panel to be installed, and the BCM reprogrammed to recognize the switch. I'm also going to have other preferences/features programmed in while the car is in the shop.

My search on the forums suggested that the '04 (11/03 build) MCS just needs the switch panel and programming in order to make use of the rear fog lights.

Can anyone on here w/ an '04 chime in about how they got rear fogs working on their cars?

Much appreciated!!

 

mine is an 09-04 build. no fog light, no wiring harness. Put in wiring harness, put in fog lamp, paid dealer to program, it works.

 

Did you wire it up using a factory retrofit kit or something? If you've got part numbers, that'd be great too. Thanks!

 

But 09-04 build means it is an '05 model year MINI with the new style taillights (integrated backup light, turn signal bulb on top, fog light in bumper). AKIndiMini has an '04 with the older style tail lights (fog light on top, turn signal in the middle, and backup light in the bumper).

Ian Cull (GBMINI) wrote about activating the older style fog light, and it was done by his dealer: http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...rear_fog.shtml

The other thing you can do is a complete retrofit to the 05/06 style rear lights. MINI does offer a kit but I'm sure it is expensive because all of the rear lights are replaced: http://www.motoringfile.com/files/2005_taillights.pdf

 

I wonder if my car is prewired like GBMINI's... If not, I'll just get the switch panel just so I don't have that blank spot on my dash.

Hopefully adding the full switch bank won't hurt anything... Would like to get the rear fogs working though.

 

Definitely a neat idea, using up the blank spot on the switch panel would be good or just getting the rr fogs activated with fronts ,too. As far as the reprogram, its too bad I have to go to a dealer (4hr drive)and pay $$$ for something to be activated ,I aready own!

 

AKIndiMini - You can DEFINITELY get this done. I had the exact same thing done on my 10/03 build MINI when I bought it used from a dealer in VA. Like you, they said it "couldn't be done", until I said I'd walk if it wasn't done. In my case, I had them program the computer, and just give me the full switch panel, which I installed later. They said they couldn't program the BC1 without the switch in place, until I countered that the existance of an elastomeric pad would do nothing to/for the BC1.

I'm near MMV, and know one of the SAs. Let me know if you need a personal visit to get things done. If need be, I can install the toggle rack on the car, if that's their issue.
I'll be out of town until Monday, but drop me a PM or email and we'll get you taken care of.

 

Reading off the instructions, if you have a production built vehicle prior to 7/2004. All it says is to proceed to retrofit coding procedure for rear fog lights to activate fog light switch.

Purchase switch panel, install switch panel, have dealer code and you're set.

I wish I remember where the link was to post the full instructions. Another NAM member has it on their Yahoo.

 

That was me. I now have the instructions in my gallery. Get it here.

 

Sweet, this appears to be exactly what I needed. Good to see that an official document states that vehicles prior to 7/04 can simply be recoded (after installation of switch panel). Thanks a bunch everyone!