Foglights... - United Bimmer Community

**QcMarque** · 11-09-2006, 01:47 AM

After reading the other posts about the various foglight issues I have a question...

My foglights were blown (broken lenses, burnt filaments)... I already had some other fogs I want to install. So I mount them, wire 'em into the existing system, turn them on... nothing. The dash light for the fogs comes on, and there's a buzzing coming from the engine compartment (haven't tracked down where from). I just replaced the fusebox, as well as all the relays. My multimeter won't be here till monday so I can't check voltages/ampers. In another post somone had mentioned if your highbeams were out you lose your fogs... (both my highs are gone... replacing tomorrow), is that true? What of the buzzing?

Also... anyone know of a set of HIDs that'll work in an '86 E23 L7? I hate the old bulbs... would love some angel eyes, but I'm doubtful there's anything out there for my model.

Thanks everyone! You've all been most helpful!

witeshark · 11-09-2006, 10:24 PM

I have to wonder if the relays are bad

**QcMarque** · 11-09-2006, 10:33 PM

Not sure... I would assume not since they're brand new, but stranger things have happened before. Once I get my multimeter on Monday I'll be able to test the lines and relays.

I just replaced both highbeams and still no fogs... and still with the odd, high pitched 'buzzing' near the fusebox area when the fog switch is turned on.

**Numark318i** · 11-09-2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QcMarque

Not sure... I would assume not since they're brand new, but stranger things have happened before. Once I get my multimeter on Monday I'll be able to test the lines and relays.

I just replaced both highbeams and still no fogs... and still with the odd, high pitched 'buzzing' near the fusebox area when the fog switch is turned on.

the buzzing is probally the relays in your fuse box. I know mine make a noise when i switch my High beams on..maybe ur are supposed to when u switch your fogs on. Do you know which relay is for your fogs? Make sure its in securely?

Check the actuall fog light assembly, make sure all the wire looks right, and nothing is grounded out, or touching where its not supposed to.

**QcMarque** · 11-10-2006, 12:44 AM

Well... I just finished mounting the lights, and connecting them... and they work! Didn't change anything, but actually noticed the ground on the right light is disconnected (yet BOTH lights still come on... go figure) I was adjusting them and went to park the car... a friend came by and I went to show him and now just the left light works, the fuse didn't go out for it either.

The buzzing only comes about when I turn the fogs on w/o the headlights on... which when I do that the fogs don't come on, but the lowbeams do (and are VERY low). I'll have to go through the light wiring more in depth over the weekend and next week, especially after I get my multimeter on Mon.

But off the tops of your heads... anyone know why BOTH lights would first work when the driver's side light isn't grounded, then the passenger's would go out and the non-grounded light would still work? Seems backwords to me, but maybe that's just me. Lol!

**Update**
I decided to trace the wiring from the fogs to the fusebox... a previous owner had tapped the passenger's foglight into the lowbeam wirnig, and the hot wires for both fogs is black (instead of the original ywllow/brown ad yellow/violet). So I decided to go to the fuse box and tap directly into the lines there (fuses 29 & 30) so as to bypass the entire wiring after the fuse box and will go through and remove the old, now unnecessary wiring cleaning other issues up as I go along. Now both fogs work perfectly, as does the switch and indicator light in the cab.