fog lights not working

---lee---

About 10 years ago, I imported a Subaru WRX from Japan and one of the changes that had to be made before it could be registered in the UK was to change the wiring on the front fog light switch so that the fog lights could only be switched on when the sidelights or headlights were on.

...and of course, I also had to add a rear fog light

I recently bought a nearly new Merc E Class. It's the first car I've owned in many years which does not come with front fog lights - apparently the new lights are so good they work well in all conditions, including fog. I doubt i will ever find out as it's very rare I deem fog to be thick enough to warrant front fog lights to be turned on. By the time you need them, you are probably in fog so thick that you should really be rethinking the driving thing all together.

Since getting the new car, I've noticed that, whatever the new light tech is, it really is excellent. New cars never dazzle and the quality of throw and how much they show up is so much better than before. Driving my old landy with it's yellow lights is a very different experience! I've also noticed that the cars which do dazzle are old cars that have had aftermarket lights fitted (incorrectly I presume). Very annoying and dangerous.

baza52

well I checked all the fuses and all are ok (including the front fogs) and the wiring is definitely present as is the bulbs.
Next step will be to remove the bulbs, I can get my hand in enough to touch the back wiring but cannot remove the bulb without taking some bolts out from the plastic under the front spoiler.
As it was late in the day and cold it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Thanks for all the ideas

reeac

---lee--- wrote: »

I recently bought a nearly new Merc E Class. It's the first car I've owned in many years which does not come with front fog lights - apparently the new lights are so good they work well in all conditions, including fog. I doubt i will ever find out as it's very rare I deem fog to be thick enough to warrant front fog lights to be turned on. By the time you need them, you are probably in fog so thick that you should really be rethinking the driving thing all together.

Since getting the new car, I've noticed that, whatever the new light tech is, it really is excellent. New cars never dazzle and the quality of throw and how much they show up is so much better than before. Driving my old landy with it's yellow lights is a very different experience! I've also noticed that the cars which do dazzle are old cars that have had aftermarket lights fitted (incorrectly I presume). Very annoying and dangerous.[/QUOTE

New cars never dazzle? That's not been my experience. The powers that be acknowledge the dazzle problem by restricting the wattage of headlamps used on the public highway but unfortunately they have yet to realise that HID lamps emit twice as much light (as measured in lumens) as do quartz halogen. The worst case that I've come across was when being followed by a Porsche Cayenne which, being an SUV had its HID lights mounted that much higher. I eventually stopped where it was safe to do so to let it pass. Wiki has a certain amount to say about the dazzle problem with HID lamps. One man's better visibility is another man's worse.

Iceweasel

reeac wrote: »

New cars never dazzle? That's not been my experience. The powers that be acknowledge the dazzle problem by restricting the wattage of headlamps used on the public highway but unfortunately they have yet to realise that HID lamps emit twice as much light (as measured in lumens) as do quartz halogen. The worst case that I've come across was when being followed by a Porsche Cayenne which, being an SUV had its HID lights mounted that much higher. I eventually stopped where it was safe to do so to let it pass. Wiki has a certain amount to say about the dazzle problem with HID lamps. One man's better visibility is another man's worse.

If by HID you mean Xenon lamps, they are old hat now - most manufacturers now offer LED headlights often with adaptive technology which splits the beam so as not to direct it towards an oncoming car or one in front.

Perhaps lee's M-Benz has those - he didn't say.

How do people find LED compared to Xenon for dazzle?

robbies_gal

whatever the new one are they blind me i cannot see a thing when they come towards me

Iceweasel

robbies_gal wrote: »

whatever the new one are they blind me i cannot see a thing when they come towards me

I predict an increase in the sales of Ray Bans.

reeac

Iceweasel wrote: »

If by HID you mean Xenon lamps, they are old hat now - most manufacturers now offer LED headlights often with adaptive technology which splits the beam so as not to direct it towards an oncoming car or one in front.

Perhaps lee's M-Benz has those - he didn't say.

How do people find LED compared to Xenon for dazzle?

I used the term HID (high intensity discharge) rather than xenon to avoid confusion with the filament bulbs which contained some xenon gas and which were barely distinguishable from ordinary quarz halogen. I don't know whether I could recognise LED headlamps ...I'm a great fan of LEDs for torches, have an LED anchor light on my boat for minimum battery drain overnight and will probably convert the cabin lighting for the same reason but that's all thread drift.

arcon5

Get a multimeter... see if they are getting a voltage...

If yes, change the bulbs...
If not, check the fuse, check the switch...

(note fuse ok, so check switch)
Although checking a switch isn't always possible/simple with a bundle of wiring and often them being wired to only come on if headlights are on.

[Deleted User]

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

I do expect a post then before long seeking a claim for an accident that was not your fault, Two wrongs do not make a right you know and as infuriating as it may be when other drivers do not have either common sense or the courtesy to drive safely it is part and parcel of todays very selfish nature I am afraid.

Thanks.

Perhaps you can help?

As my car has no front fogs I'm trying to wire-up my rear fogs to come on when turning left or right.

No joy yet