Still Working on Rear Fogs...
 

I'm still looking into the rear fog light option for our E70.
I have the needed switch installed, and have been looking at the FRM module for the needed coding.
There is a bunch of stuff about the Brake Force, and the NSL (rear fogs) and Ive tweaked most of them without any luck as of today.
Can someone from Europe or Canada, with working Rear Fogs send me a copy of the FRM module contents?

UPDATE: NO CODING NEEDED!
Here is a DIY...

Thanks,
John

^^ Don't have working rear fogs in Canada. Can you send me a list of the FRM values that you have modified? I think that youw ould have to disable the brake force stuff, because currently we use those for brake force instead of fogs

Maybe that has something to do with it, although I'm not sure. Similar to the E90, the brake lights are slightly different depending on the region: For the rest of the world, there is a single brake light, then the "bi-level" lights under hard braking. The "Bi-level" acts as the standard braking for North American models, and the rear foglights work under hard braking.

^^ Exactly. It would be great if someone from Europe could send us a trace file

Lots of unknowns...
 

Thanks for the posts guys...

:iagree:
I have the vehicle schematics and have verifided that all of the wiring is in place, but there are a number of entries in the FRM module that are related to the rear fogs (NSL) and also the Brake force (BREMSL) function. As you can see in this NCS Dummy file (I have noted defaults and changes that I have made) there are several options, and it gets pretty complex trying to figure out what is related.

I suspect there may be a missing line to enable the fog function, so it would be good to see a file from someone who has this function working.


Thanks again,
John

Subscribed. I love all of this coding stuff. I am going to begin playing with mine soon.

Getting Started with Coding
 

If you haven't found this resource for coding, give it a look...
BMW Coding Forum
They have some great info!

This is slightly off-topic, but I guess somewhat relevant. It's the wiring diagram.

WDS BMW Wiring Diagram System - X5 E70

The sad thing is: the more I know about these cars, the more disillusioned at how many differences there are between the US and rest of the world versions. There's a number of differences in the cornering lights, for example. And in the rest of the world, one can order the Active Seat (massage) for both driver and passenger. In the US/Canada due to the passenger occupancy sensor, this is not possible for the passenger. Grrr!

E70 Rear Fogs WORK!
 

Finally got my rear fogs working last night... And FYI, there is NO coding needed.

On my 2008 4.8i, there was no wire installed from the connector (Pin 9) on the back of the light switch to the connector (pin 14) on the left side of Floor Well module behind the hood acess handle. It shows the wire on all of the wiring diagrams that I have seen, but it was not there.

Buy the correct switch, install the wire, and you too will have Rear Fogs on your E70.

Took me about 45 minutes to figure out what to do and to get it done.

I bought my switch here, be sure to order the correct one, for your vehicle options:
EuroActive.com - Buy Genuine BMW & Land Rover Parts and Accessories Online

Enjoy,
95wildtt

^^ Great news indeed!

I hope you won't become one of those a..holes that drive with rear fog lights on all the time.

No way...
 

Only wanted them for rainy, foggy or snowy days.
I hate the a**holes that run with them on all of the time.

But that said, I may use them as a brake check for those people who can't stay more than 3 feet from my rear bumper on the highway... :thumbup:

Very cool. ...adding it to my to-do list!

Speaking of which, has anyone figured out how to change the sensitivity of the sensor in the passenger seat? Mine is all too often set off by a sixpack of beer which causes the passenger seat belt warning to be displayed in addition to that annoying chime.

Great work. Will the switch work on a 2007 e70?

Should...
 

The switch should work on a 2007 E70, again be sure to order the one that covers your options for HUD, Xenons and Rain Sensor...

Here is the URL to the European Parts page which lists all E70s:
Control element light BMW X5 E70, X5 4.8i (N62N)

Enjoy.

Pretty much the identical situation on my E61. Position 9 on the headlight switch wiring harness is empty. Can't activate my rear fogs with the switch but was able to code for them to operate with the other welcome lights! Want to wire up the switch to the LCM for full functionality but not sure what type of connectors I need. Is there a BMW part number?

Need a Femal Connector on each end...
 

I used some parts that I had laying around, but I think you could buy a pair of these (#1), put them on each end of a wire and push them into the empty spot on your connectors. You would need to measure which ones you needed.

Various parts, wiring harness repair BMW X5 E70, X5 4.8i (N62N)

Look at the other holes that have a wire in them, you want to duplicate that with the correct size part #1.

You could proabbly also buy something at Radio Shack and do the same thing.

Hope this helps.

Great, thanks for the info.

Awesome work!

Could you clarify a little which connectors were missing and where to connect them. Im looking to do this with my 2011 X5. It was so easy with my E92.

Edit:Just seen you updated thanks for the info!

95wildtt, do you have pics? You have become the guru on this topic! I modified my E92 for euro fogs, but haven't done my E70 yet! I think they are an essential safety feature, particulary since tailgating is like a way of life here, even in low visibility.

And, forgive me if I'm being dense, but I didn't understand what cable I need. Is it a standard one I could pick up at my local auto parts store? You mentioned using the #1 connector from the diagram in the link, but that didn't make sense to me as did not look like a connector. Thx!

I may pick up the part in Europe (I hope I have the right P/N) to save a few bucks. $160+ is a little steep.

DIY for Rear Fogs...
 

Here is a DIY document.
Let me know if I can clarify anyting for you...

Again, this worked for my 2008 X5, so It should work for your also.

Best of Luck,
95wildtt

95wildtt, great work! And fast too! You should post it in the DIY section for all to see. Thanks!

95wildtt, great write up! Thanks for doing this and I expect that I'll be doing this mod to my 11 E70 very soon!

Great post! Ordered up my parts. Going to give this a a go when they come in.
Wish there was DIY area for this.

Parts?
 

Were you able to get the parts, and did you try the modification?

Thanks,
5wildtt

I ordered all my required parts from Euroactive as outlined in the DIY with exception to the 20 gauge wire and heat shrink tubing to protect the connectors. I got those items locally. The parts have arrived in my city but seemed to be lost in the Christmas rush. I hoped to do this as my Christmas break little project. Ill keep posted.

So I decided to tackle the rear fog lights and was able to get them to work. I followed the DIY and took a few pictures through the install.

Also ill add a few photos to show a little more clarification on some parts of the DIY such as the connector ends.

Removal of the vent, trim and light switch was pretty straight forward. I did take a photo to indicate where these 3 tabs were so you don't break them. ( Photo 1 )

Getting the switch out was a little tight. I did end up using a tool to pull it out.

The DIY did confused me a little until I was looking at the connector to the switch and the FRM module. Once you actually look at it does make sense. To remove the latching mechanism there is a small tab which must be released before you can slide the latch off the connector. ( Photo 2, 3 and 4 )

When making my jumper wire I used stranded #20 AWG and used shrink tube with solder built in to make the electrical jumper. I am sure you could use a mechanical crimp style butt splice but the solder one would be pretty much bulletproof. (Photo 5 and 6)

Accessing the FRM module removing and reinstalling the bottom trim I thought was the most difficult part. When removing the trim covering the FRM you must first remove the the first few clips which hold the trim that runs along side of the seat before you can remove the FRM trim. You will have to pull up the trim to release it from the clips. Sometimes these clips may come out and stay attached to the trim and sometimes they separate from the trim. You must free the clip and place it back in the trim before reinstallation. (Photo 7)

Before putting everything back together I did a quick test to make sure everything worked. (Photo 8 and 9 )


I did end up with some extra parts that maybe someone here might need it if they want to try this. I have the following left.

2-Bushing Contacts BMW Part Number : 61130006663 ( I bought 4 only used 2 in the install )
10 ft - #20 AWG Black wire
2 - Heat Shrink/Solder Butt Splices ( Just need a lighter or a torch to solder. No need for a solder gun )

Glad to see it worked...
 

Hi Orientexpress,

Glad to see this worked for you, and the DIY wasn't too bad to follow.
Thanks for adding the photos, I should have taken some when I was doing mine.

Enjoy,
95wildtt

Ordered everything, goingvtobtry this next week.

Ordered the switch from ebay and the wire from ECS tuning. The entite job took me about 45 minutes and it worked perfectly. The hardest part was trying to snake the wire down from the switch to the FRM module. The Instructions posted here were perfect if anyone is thinking of doing it. Merrt Christmas.

Do you have a link to the switch on epray and a cat# from ECS?

Thanks

See the link below for the switch. The rest of the info you need is in the DIY PDF that is posted earlier in the thread (2nd post).


BMW E60 E61 E70 x5 E71 x6 Euro Light Control Switch for Rear Foglamps | eBay

Thanks. Didn't see the cat# for the wire in the DIY, but I'll look again.

I just picked up this switch

Headlight Light Control Module 913472702 LCM LKM for BMW E70 X5 | eBay

I needed one with controls for hud, we'll see if I can get it working over the winter :)

I need one with HUD as well. The listing that Marshotel linked to gives you instructions to list your options "Xenon, HUD,and Night Vision" when you order.

Are they Left Hand/Right Hand Drive specific? Probably pretty easy to take out of the trim.

^^ Got the switch, there are four screws holding the switch to the trim, so you can swap the switch into your existing trim quite easily if you get the switch from a RHD car. Going to tackle this tonight and post the results.

<edit> I now have rear fogs. Thanks to the OP for figuring this out.

John,

I am trying to add fog lights to my 13 X5M. I already got the headlight switch assembly which has the Front fog light button. Question is which pin on the switch correspond to the fr. fog light button, is it #6?. Also on the FRM, which pin # correspond to the fr. fog light signal trigger?

I am not sure if the X5M which does not have stock fr fog light actually have wiring harness for the fr. fog lights somewhere behind the bumper (hopefully it has) but at this time I am simply trying to figure out the pin# of the fog light switch and the FRM

Thanks,

Awdnut

The first post in this thread has a DIY document that shows you the pins for the connectors at each end of the cable behind the dash.

I got the DIY doc but it is for REAR fog light. I am trying to figure out which pin on the switch assembly is for the FRONT fog light. On my switch, pin #6 and #9 are empty (we know #9 is for the rear fog light) so I am guessing #6 is for the FRONT fog light activation??? But then I still need to figure out on the FRM, which pin is the FRONT fog light pin

Thanks

Awdnut

For my 2008, which is the only schematic that I have...

Pin #7 on the Switch goes to Pin #15 on the FRM.
(This is for the S_NSW Signal, which I believe is the Front Fog Lights)

Pin #6 on the switch goes to Pin #8 on the FRM.
(ONLY if you don't have Xenon Headlights, as this is the Vertical Adjustment Potentiometer.)

Good Luck.

Cool, thanks

Yes, NSW, I believe is short for NebelScheinWerfer or fog light

I might try to connect switch pin#7 with FRM pin #15 and then

to check if the fog light harness is present in my X5M ;-)


Thanks again

Awdnut

Sorry to bring the thread back from the dead, would it be possible to just wire the rear fog just to turn on using the front fog button without purchasing a new switch?

Just wondering...

Thanks
Mike

In theory, it should work.

I would definitely want a separate button though, there are times I use my front fogs without wanting my rear fogs on.

:iagree:
I agree with Blue Dragon...
Don't want them both on all of the time.
You could add another switch in line somewhere, I guess, but would be easier and cleaner to just buy a new switch.

Bringing an old thread back from the dead. I have seen this mod done on a bunch of older E70s, but I do not see anyone who has done it on the newer models. I have a 2011 LCI and have added the wire from pin 9 to pin 14 and installed the correct switch for my vehicle (rear fogs, front fogs, HUD). Everything on the switch works and I have continuity in my connection, but rear fogs are not working when the switch is activated (no symbol on dash and rear fogs do not turn on). Double checked the coding and everything for rear fogs seems to relate to brake force display. Any ideas?

Annnnnd never mind. Need to learn how to read a 6 and a 9. All working as described in this thread and instructions.