Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > ML, GL, G-Wagen, R-Class, Unimog, Sprinter

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-05-2009, 08:19 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Aux Front Fog Lights

I have a 1999 ML320 I just bought. It has the Aux Fog light swich for front and back, but it looks as though only the rear fog lights were actually installed.

Can after market fog lights be installed and hooked up to the same switch for the Aux Front Fog light position?

__________________
1999 Mercedes ML320
2002 Mercedes 230K
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-06-2009, 07:36 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,084
As was the case on my 99, the placement of the factory fogs did not meet the state code. Therefore the bulbs were removed and the function was programmed out (they would not work if the bulbs were installed). The dealer was adamant about doing it. I finally convinced their body shop that I was installing their brush bar and lights, and they hooked the computer up and activated the system.
There are two things to be activated, the swirch, and the indicator on the dash. If you want to install aux lights rather than putting in bulbs, there is a connector behind or around the washer tank with a cap on it, the MB harness plugs into it.
They did charge me $50, the later ML lamps are compliant, other states allowed the previous.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-07-2009, 06:08 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Thanks for the response. Could my local repair shop that specializes in Mercedes repairs activate this button? I am going to install after market fogs if I have too as they are so nice in crappy weather, like snow storms and fog.
__________________
1999 Mercedes ML320
2002 Mercedes 230K
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-16-2009, 08:23 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,084
MB uses their "body" computer, I dont know if your shop has it. I asked about it and the software comes from MB and they lease it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-19-2009, 08:52 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Well, I found that in deed the bulbs were removed so I installed new bulbs, but the switch didn't work. I will next ask the shop about the computer.

Thanks again for the help.
__________________
1999 Mercedes ML320
2002 Mercedes 230K
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-23-2009, 10:07 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lafayette, California
Posts: 63
I purchased my '99 ML 430 new and, as you described, it was equipped without fog bulbs and without associated programming. I live in Calif but regularly drive the Oregon Coast. I wanted fog lights and better hi beams. My Calif dealer said the fog light setup was illegal. I checked Oregon--fog lights are legal in Oregon.

To improve the hi beams I purchased PIAA XTRA hi beam bulbs rated at 55W with output equivalent to 100W. Installation was easy and the improvement was noticeable. PIAA also offered a brighter low beam, but I was satisfied with the installed bulbs.

For the fog lights I purchased PIAA 55W Ion Crystal fog bulbs which look white to on-coming traffic, but yellow to you, the driver. In my opinion they offer significantly enhanced bad weather visibility and definitely the same for the right shoulder of the road.

My good news--I accidentally learned that the girlfriend of the owner of my MB dealership had an ML 430 for which she wanted fog lights. I talked with her, with my Service Advisor, made her wishes and my own similar wishes known, and all became possible.

Had the above not occurred, I would have employed/paid an Oregon dealer or followed tips I had found on the internet to do my own fog light programming. The bulb installation is easy. But the vehicle must be programmed for the fog lights to work and for the dash to show that they are on. At the time (Nov '98) only a MBZ dealer was equipped to do the programming.

Good luck with your endeavor--I think you'll be pleased with any improvements.
__________________
Jim Herold--Current: 1987 190E 16V, 1999 ML 430--Past: 1971 280 SL, 1972 250
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-24-2009, 07:47 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,084
The MB body shop did mine since they were also doing brush bars on new vehicles, they did have to get the computer from service. I paid the body shop guy on the side. If they go with the "not legal" story tell them you are going to install driving lights on your bumper bar or in the lower vents. You are probably not aware but there ia a connector in the loom behind the washer tank that has a connector that plugged into the harness that came with the MB bumper mounted bar.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-24-2009, 07:59 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Could you share the programming instructions that you found on the Internet, if so thanks.


Peter, this wire loom for the bumper how is that operated off the same switch in dash for the Fwd Aux lights?
__________________
1999 Mercedes ML320
2002 Mercedes 230K
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-25-2009, 08:02 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,084
The pigtail, is in paralell to the headlamp fog socket. You can put the driving lamps on your bumper bar and remove the bulbs in the headlamps. Its a oval connector with a cap. I would be concerned about running both due to the current.
I went looking for the web link, and found nothing, it requires the body computer which allows all kinds of things, like auto lock.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-26-2009, 06:39 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
tx peter

__________________
1999 Mercedes ML320
2002 Mercedes 230K
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:22 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page