I just bought a used r52 and it has a full toggle bank including the switch for a rear fog light but...
it has no rear fog light!
Not sure if previous owner got rear ended and didn't bother replacing or if replaced toggle bank with a full set...

In any event. When I toggle the switch nothing happens obviously but including the led on the tip of the toggle doesn't light up either.

Anyone know if the toggle.doesnt light when the rear bulb is burnt or missing or is my car not programmed for it?

I am actually considering using the switch for something else like activating a rear camera on demand but not sure how to test of it is even doing anything
Thanks

 

If the PO is like me, bought the fog light retrofit kit but only to find out you need to pay the dealer to program it, it is possible he never bother after putting in the switch bank. I only got around to enable mine after 11 years.

The switches are not your convention toggle switches. They are all momentary to signal to the body control module which actually do the switching electronically. Hence a bit complicated if you try to repurpose them.

 

Moving this to Stock Problems/Issues as the toggle bank/fog light is shared by all the Gen1.

 

It's not clear as to what you have except the switch panel.

Is there a oblong black cover where rear fog would be center of rear bumper or do you have a red fog light there ?

Could be something as simple as burnt bulb.

 

Thanks,
In the rear bumper I just have the black cover plate. I removed it and there is a factory wiring harness behind it which I imagine is for the missing rear light...

I tested it with a multimeter to see if the harness would go +12 when I hit the toggle but nothing happened, including the light on the toggle did not illuminate either.

Not sure if that is expected when the bulb is missing (e.g. can the ecu detect a missing bulb and leaves the light off to show an error), or if this does indicate lack of programming?

Anyone feel like unplugging their rear fog light to test?

 

Thank you,
Could be, unfortunately I don't have a way to contact the PO.
My plan was actually to reuse the wiring harness at the rear fog light location (not that actual toggle itself) so re-purposing should work ok assuming it will still go +12v without a bulb hooked up...

 

The face lift cars were usually pre-wired for the rear foglight. Many people who didn't have the option would buy a full toggle panel to fill in the blank spot for aesthetics. You probably just need the rear fog light option activated in the BCM to get the wiring working on your car. If you activate this option, figure out what other programmable options you want since you'll already be in there.

 

what year?

that center light was repurposed a couple of times in the life of the GEN1 MINI

recall that 'in the beginning' the rear fogs were not offered in the US and the center light was the backup light. US owners balked about the hole in the toggle bank. First rendition of the rear fog went in this center location, with a wiring change of course.

Do you have backup lights functioning in the tail lights???? You might want to see if you get juice in the center with tranny in reverse ....

As mentioned there were folks who just changed the switch bank to eliminate the 'hole' .... I went similar with my 7 (GEN2) ... I didn't like the plugs in the rear facia where the fogs would go but didn't really care about the function or the lack of the toggle. So I bought the lens (cheap) and put them in the bumper (about 1 minute each side) and had the look for a fraction of the cost of the actual option.

 

2005 Convertible S, actually single owner (until me) which is surprising.

Don't really peg the PO for doing much cosmetic upgrades, I believe it was a daily driver for a teacher for 12 years.

I assume my back up lights are working but I never actually checked...
Good point though, I will see if reverse gives me 12v on the harness. Actually dropping it off with dealer tonight for the power steering recall. Anyone know what they typically charge for programming? Anything else I should consider if they go in there? Are ECU OEM software version upgrades usually worth looking into?

 

Had an 05 R52 when I plugged in the retrofit fog light and hit the toggle it just worked. In our 06 R53 I used a jumper to make it a third brake light. 05 & 06 had the back up lights within the tails.

 

Most dealers charge 1 hour of labor for programming. Options were limited for the 1st gen, but here are most of the ones the dealer will change:

- Door lock mode (one press unlocks all, auto locking at 10mph)

- Auto unlocking to get rid of the double pull

- Daytime running lights on/off

- Wiper speed options

- Pathway lighting to activate the foglights when exiting the car (might also light up when unlocking with the remote)

- Opening windows and sunroof if unlock is held down (not sure if it will put the top down on an R52)

- Rolling up windows and close sunroof if lock is held down (not sure if available in the US)

- Alarm on/off

- Rear fog light on/off

- Low fuel warning chime on/off

Look for this symbol in your owner's manual for programmable options (page 49 has an index of dealer progammable convenience options):

 

So. Mini dealer in Raleigh says they can't even program my car any more because it's too old and they don't do it. WTF.
is this a dealer only fix or do any mechanics have a magic tool to change my settings?

 

I was going to mention that possibility since that's what happened at my dealer a couple of years ago.

Independent MINI shops usually can program the cars and many will also change settings the dealer wouldn't touch. Hopefully someone can recommend a shop in your area if you don't know of one yourself.

 

Take it to its ultimate conclusion by making the same light operate as brake, fog AND reverse.

Off


Reverse


Brake


Rear fog (running lights also on — required to turn on fogs)


I did this way back in 2005 by mounting a red LED panel into a backup light:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/g/album/3735047
Since then, "switchback" LED bulbs have become available that can light up either red or white, making the mod simpler.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3878509

 

Sweet. It's like the ultimate zener diode. I think there is actually a mini specialist nearby. I will give them a ring. Thanks again. While I'm at it I hope I can also grab from your list unlocking all doors with single remote press and when I stop car. Double pull is getting on my nerves! Plus in a convertible there is really no safety add only unlocking the driver's side

I'm in mini heaven again. Sold our r53 when we had kids and foolishly tried to get a rear facing baby seat back there. Kids finally in boosters and loving it!

 

That's ridiculous....it's just a matter of changing a line of code. Obviously they have no idea what they are doing there so probably would even be better off going to jiffy lube for oil changes too.... Should be shamed in FB.

Call Way at Way Motorworks. I believe he has capability to program it.

 

As others have pointed out, it depends very much on the year & spec (US/UK etc) of the car how the rear fog light works.
Keep in mind they should only work in conjunction with the headlights &/or front fogs, so if you just want to see if there's 12V back there, try it with the headlights on & the engine running.

Edited to add: Video of my '02 R53 here. Note that the top bulb is a brake light. On some cars, like the white convertible above, this is used for the rear fog light option, otherwise it isn't used at all.

 

Thanks,
I have just brake lights on the sides. I tried to test the fog harness above the exhaust again with headlights on, still no voltage and no indicator light on the switch toggle.

I think i found a local mechanic who programs BMWs who thinks he can change the option for me.
-ted

 

Back to basics!!

Exactly what is the year & model - US/UK spec?

Is there a reversing light back there somewhere? This is a legal requirement & cannot optionally be activated or not. Try the voltage test again with the ignition on, not running, & the car in reverse.

A picture of your rear lights might help.

Google "R52 rear lights" to see the many variations.

Mike

 

The R52 only comes in one configuration, no variations.

 

Is there a list of MINI specialists/mechanics on this forum anywhere?
Specifically by city or region?
Looking for someone in Raleigh/Cary, NC area that can program my factory options....

 

There are a lot of Mini owners in NC on this forum. Someone might be kind enough to help you using NCS Expert to program. It is really easy once you get thru the initial growing pain.

 

many local MINI groups (most) have shifted to Facebook for routine activity (this is one of the FEW websites hangin' in there)

I recommend trying to find a FB Group ... search possible names like MINI OF RALEIGH or NORTH CAROLINA MINI .... once you find a group, toss the question there

a quick search found Fb Group NC MINI COOPERS

Hey everyone! Welcome to North Carolina's newest MINI group! NCMC (North Carolina's Mini Coopers) is a group for all MINIacs in the NC and surrounding areas!

 

^^
In addition to this car being prewired for fog, this particular year the MINI's also have bulbs in the housings as made that way from the factory.

Just need to add the toggle bank that has rear fog switch ( OP already had )
AND
Programming....

Should be good to go after that.

 

​​​​​​What is "Facebook"? is that like Myspace?
I am still off that grid!