Z3 foglight switches

[Andyboy]

Here's something I've yet to work out! The Z3 double push button foglight switches shared with the E36.....I've got a few here where only one button works, i.e you press it in and it stays in until you press it again to release it. It's always the inward 'dimpled' one that works. The other one with is domed outwards slightly button doesn't stay engaged in position.
I've had them apart and tried to work out what's wrong and it's nothing obvious. Yet other switches I've had work fine.

Am I missing something bleeding obvious here?

 

[ChrisD]

Here's something I've yet to work out! The Z3 double push button foglight switches shared with the E36.....I've got a few here where only one button works, i.e you press it in and it stays in until you press it again to release it. It's always the inward 'dimpled' one that works. The other one with is domed outwards slightly button doesn't stay engaged in position.
I've had them apart and tried to work out what's wrong and it's nothing obvious. Yet other switches I've had work fine.

Am I missing something bleeding obvious here?

Yep. The front fog light switch latches on. You can press it and you will always be running with fog lights on when you have the headlights on.
The rear fog light switch is a momentary device where the fog lights are switched off on either ignition off or if you hit the switch again.

 

[Andyboy]

Thanks! So these switches are actually working? It’s just that some I’ve had have two ‘latching’ buttons.
Two of the presumed faulty switches are from very different year cars - 1997 and 2001.

 

[ChrisD]

Thanks! So these switches are actually working? It’s just that some I’ve had have two ‘latching’ buttons.
Two of the presumed faulty switches are from very different year cars - 1997 and 2001.

Yep that’s how it’s supposed to work on Z3. So there’s less chance of driving around with the rear fog lights permanently on, like… every single other vehicle around here, it seems. Can’t speak for other vehicles, they might be set up differently.

 

[ChrisD]

Err…

I’ll leave my original post just to prove how you can be so certain and so wrong.
I’ve just checked my fog light switches and both latch.

Sorry.,.

 

[Mint]

Mine is a 2002, 2.2 and only the front fog switch latches... Maybe it's what was in the parts bin as it came down the line

 

[ChrisD]

Mine is a 2002, 2.2 and only the front fog switch latches... Maybe it's what was in the parts bin as it came down the line

Do we need a poll?

 

[Smudgemanuk]

My 98 2.8 has two latching ones. I have had problems were they stuck on or wouldn't latch at all. I got a replacement from SpursFan and now both latch

 

[Synclare]

A poll it is. My 2002 has one latching switch and t'other just pops straight out again. Guess the non latching one simply operates a relay to energise the circuit and pressing again (or as ChrisD says "turning ignition off) will de-energise the relay.
My pre-facelift has both switches latching.
Guess the change is to comply with later legislation? i.e stop numpties dazzling drivers behind lest they forget to turn off.

 

[Andyboy]

The part number according to BMW goes back to 1991 and the first E36.
I’ve pulled two switches apart and both only have one locking lever so it looks like it’s how they are made.

 

[Andyboy]

I tell a lie - the switch from the 2001Z3 I broke up only locks on the front fogs and has a different part number - 61316901957. The older part number is 61311387054.

 

[Pond]

Front fog is a 'proper' switch (latches on). Rear is a 'momentary' switch (doesn't latch on). Simples.

 

[Synclare]

I have 2 twin button switches in my hand (single button also available)
Part No.6131-1-387 054 one button inward dimpled and the other domed - both latch on. Switch dated 0997
Part No. 6131 - 6 901 957 one button inward dimpled (does not latch) and the other button domed (does latch in).
switch dated 3001
Oh the joys of being an anorak

 

[RickyBobby]

Mine was produced in August 1999 and both switches latch - first photo is before they are engaged and the second is after.

According to RealOEM replacement part number was 61311387054 which has been superceded by 61316901957

 

[AlexGSi2000]

All the ones I have seen its only the fronts that latch.

Back when I was about 9 years old, my dad was fortunate enough to have a new e36 328 as a company car (P539 PLP).
I always thought the car looked "cooler" with the front fog lights on, so of course I pushed the button - my dad not really being a car person had no idea where the foglight switch was.
Fast forward about a week, we were on the motorway when a highways officer pulled infront of us and displayed "fog lights" on the matrix display in the back window.
This led my dad to believe he needed to put his foglights on, but had no idea where the switch was - fast forward 30 seconds later when he still hadnt found the switch after me explaining ended up in us getting pulled over - I remember explaining to the traffic officer that I had put them on weeks earlier
He told me off for playing with my dads car then let us off.

 

[Pond]

All the ones I have seen its only the fronts that latch.

Back when I was about 9 years old, my dad was fortunate enough to have a new e36 328 as a company car (P539 PLP).
I always thought the car looked "cooler" with the front fog lights on, so of course I pushed the button - my dad not really being a car person had no idea where the foglight switch was.
Fast forward about a week, we were on the motorway when a highways officer pulled infront of us and displayed "fog lights" on the matrix display in the back window.
This led my dad to believe he needed to put his foglights on, but had no idea where the switch was - fast forward 30 seconds later when he still hadnt found the switch after me explaining ended up in us getting pulled over - I remember explaining to the traffic officer that I had put them on weeks earlier
He told me off for playing with my dads car then let us off.

That is exactly the reason for the rears being on a momentary switch; so they don't come back on when the ignition is switched on.

 

[Ianmc]

Both of my fog light switches "latch" (April 1997 build). In other words, both require the driver to turn them on and off. If you leave switch on, turn off the lights/ignition they come on again when lights/ignition is turned on. The warning lights (green front/yellow rear) alert you to this effect.
The non latching rear is an early driver aid/ nanny state measure of the late 1990s for those who are too dim to turn off fog lights when not required.

 

[Pond]

Mine is a 2001 built car and has a momentary rear fog light switch.

When I changed all the switchgear, I put a standard on/off switch in by mistake. It went haywire! So had to bin that and change the switch.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Hmmm.....I'll have to take a look. My '01 definitely has front fog lights. I've never heard of rear fog lights. I have no clue where the switches are as I rarely use the headlights at all. I don't think the fog lights have ever been on...at least not by me. Given the fair weather nature of my Dad's use of it, I'm guessing he never turned them on either.

Also, @AlexGSi2000, do you guys in the UK have specific laws about when/how you use fog lights? Here in the US, most people who have them have them on whenever their headlights are on.

 

[Pond]

Hmmm.....I'll have to take a look. My '01 definitely has front fog lights. I've never heard of rear fog lights. I have no clue where the switches are as I rarely use the headlights at all. I don't think the fog lights have ever been on...at least not by me. Given the fair weather nature of my Dad's use of it, I'm guessing he never turned them on either.

Also, @AlexGSi2000, do you guys in the UK have specific laws about when/how you use fog lights? Here in the US, most people who have them have them on whenever their headlights are on.

US Z3s don't have rear fog lights. I know this because when I was re-wiring my car and went to my Bentley's manual (which is US market only) there was no mention whatsoever of them.

In the UK all cars must have at least one rear fog light, but not front (they are optional). Our laws are pretty ambiguous; rear fog lights should be used when it's 'foggy'.
Personally I hate rear fog lights. They should be banned. People put them on when it's not foggy enough and they are blinding when behind. Nowadays there is no need for them, as most newer cars have LED rear lights which can be seen through fog much better than any halogen bulb.