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      10-26-2020, 03:34 AM   #9
Ninefourteener
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Drives: 2020 X5 M50i, 2020 Alfa 4C
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: American in Belgium

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Quote:
Originally Posted by jad03060 View Post
On my last two BMWs (US), the rear fog lamps were actually already installed in the panel (a GT and an i3). On the GT, just changing the switch made them work. On the i3, while I never bought the switch, what I have heard from others that did, it required a software coding to enable them.

If you look at the switch assembly itself, none of the switches in there are actually running power to anything...the small wires power a small circuit board, backlighting, and a serial CANBUS signal comes out of the switch board that then tells a module back near the rear to turn the lamps on. On the GT, there were only three wires, power, ground, and a signal line that controlled all of the lights back there. Not sure on the X5 how that has evolved. On both the GT and the i3, rear fog lights came on both sides symmetrically. that might be able to be changed with software.
I've done rear fogs on my 2016 3 series, which required a switch and coding..... and my co-workers 2012 3-series, which only required a switch.

On those cars, the foglights are incorporated into the taillights. US versions are just "deactivated".

On the new X5... rear foglights are a completely different housing. US spec comes with reflectors, which must be removed, and replaced with bulb housings.

My new euro switch.... my car recognizes it. When I push the rear foglight button, my screen says "rear foglights not available right now".

I really need to see the relay board from someone who has rear foglights. Can someone please open their relay board (right side of trunk) and snap a picture?

Local BMW dealer can't figure it out..... of course.... local BMW dealer is a bunch of incompetent clowns as well. It took 3 different technicians, with my new brake caliper IN THEIR HANDS for over an hour.... top finally tell me "There's nothing we can do because the X5M isn't sold in Belgium".

Absolute dumbasses. That's why I have to figure this out on my own.
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2020 X5 M50i, Alpine, B&W, Air Susp, anthracite, coffee, **CD player**:
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