I am working to enable rear fog lights on a 2021 F56 Cooper. This has been covered in the past elsewhere in the forum. I have replaced the panel light switch with the version having a rear fog light button (step 1). The next step is to add the rear fog light option (5AA) to the VO. Up to now I have only used Bimmercode to alter coding. It would appear that that app does not have the ability to change the VO. Is that right? If so, do I have to jump to E-SYS to do this? Or is there a different preferred coding app?

 

In bimmercode you can activate your fog lights by enabling this:

Head over to LCE Master
Then set NSL_Verbaut to Verbaut

This should be all that you have to do if you've already installed the physical panel with the button to turn on rear fogs.

 

Excellent. Very helpful. You pointed me in the right direction. In fact there are four more changes to make after the one you suggested. The whole list of required changes is:

Body Controller>Expert Mode>
LCEmaster changes
NSL_Verbaut to Verbaut
LCELampMapping3 changes
Mapping_Nebelschlussl_L_ouput to nsl_l
Mapping_Nebelschlussl_L_Function to nebelschlusslicht
Mapping_Nebelschlussl_R_output to nsl_r
Mapping_Nebelschlussl_L_Function to nebelschlusslicht

And then Voila! I have functioning rear fog lights.

Bloody marvellous. Many thx indeed

 

Whoops. Cut-and-paste error. The corrected code changes are:

Body Controller>Expert Mode>
LCEmaster changes
>> NSL_Verbaut to Verbaut
LCELampMapping3 changes
>> Mapping_Nebelschlussl_L_ouput to nsl_l
>> Mapping_Nebelschlussl_L_Function to nebelschlusslicht
>> Mapping_Nebelschlussl_R_output to nsl_r
>> Mapping_Nebelschlussl_R_Function to nebelschlusslicht

Still marvellous.

 

What is the part number for the light switch that works?

 

The switch assembly with the working second (rear) fog light button is Mini/BMW part number 61319865845 I bought mine from here: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/61319865845/ Quite expensive ($183) from there, but it is a new BMW part. As my Cooper is brand new I wanted to get a new, official part. If that is not for you, then you will find them cheaper on the web, particularly on ebay.

I should also note that on a 2021 model the switch snaps-in to its position on the dash knee panel. Look at the four wedge-shaped retainer lugs on the new part and you will see where to gently pry on the dash retaining clip to release the switch. No major surgery needed. Earlier versions of the part were held in with torx screws, which are now missing (they are always looking to save cost...). However, the part still has mounting holes for the torx screws, in case you are fitting to an older model

Good luck

 

It is illegal in the US to have two active rear fog lights. One light is legal. Up to you if you activate one or two lights. To have only one active light just don't make the code change listed above for the light (left or right) to leave it inactive.

 

It is NOT illegal to have 2, but if you have one it must be on the drivers side.

Here's California
A vehicle may be equipped with not more than two red fog tail lamps mounted on the rear which may be lighted, in addition to the required tail lamps, only when atmospheric conditions, such as fog, rain, snow, smoke, or dust, reduce the daytime or nighttime visibility of other vehicles to less than 500 feet.
When two lamps are installed, one shall be mounted at the left side and one at the right side at the same level and as close as practical to the sides. When one lamp is installed, it shall be mounted as close as practical to the left side or on the center of the vehicle
The lamps shall be mounted not lower than 12 inches nor higher than 60 inches
The edge of the lens of the lamp shall be no closer than four inches from the edge of the
lens of any stop lamp.

 

Thx for that info on legality. I can sleep straight again (I activated both of my rear fogs).

I wonder why the dealerships don’t offer activating the rear fogs as a (paid) option? Would be a high margin way to make money from new owners like me...

 

Me at service entrance:
"What?, you want me to pay to activate something that's already there??"

 

Sadly, that is now the way of the world. For some years now, if you buy a 30MHz oscilloscope from Tektronix you can, for a fee, turn it into a 60MHz scope (40% more expensive off-the-shelf than a 30MHz unit) with just a software upgrade. No hardware changes at all.