Fog Light Replacement

[supertack]

A few days ago (during a typical Chicago March snow storm), I noticed that my fog lights wouldn't go on. At first I thought it was just a burned out bulb, but when I realized both fogs were out, I figured there had to be more to it. When I looked at the lens of the fogs, I discovered that the drivers side had a pretty substantial crack 'spider webbing' across it. I checked the fuse, to find #15 was fried. When I put a new fuse in, both fogs came back on, but the crack lens created an unsightly issue.

The question is two fold. Is there a replacement lens for the oem fogs, or do I need to purchase the whole thing?
Also, how do I release the fog from the mounting bracket on a stock e36 bumper? I've seen a pic of releasing it on an M3 converted bumper (slot in air duct), but I can't seem to locate an opening through the lower grates on my stock bumper.

Thanks.

[michael42775]

I think pelican sells just the lenses for the fogs. Also, they might have a tech article on how to change them. I've always seen the lense popped out with a screwdriver from the outside. this seems to be efficient.

[SCOTITUDE]

i just changed mine out. The lenses are available on ebay for about $50 each. As far as changing them, I found getting under the car, removing the small plastic undertray on each side easier than trying to pry them out from the outside. you will see the lenses will pop out of the housing quite easily. there is a clip on one side of the housing and hinged on the other. Maybe a 20 minute job for both sides all together. A lot easier than I was expecting.

[supertack]

Yah, I found the slot to stick the screw driver through the lower grate today.

Originally posted by SCOTITUDE
i just changed mine out. The lenses are available on ebay for about $50 each.

$50?? That sounds expensive for one little piece of glass.

[dboyles]

$50 does sound extremely high for just a lens, especially considering you can get an entire one-side assembly for that much.

The Pelican link for the lenses is here, but the non-Euro lenses are out of stock, and probably too expensive anyway. Which is too bad, since my passenger fog light lens is cracked.

[supertack]

Yah, I contacted Pelican about those 'out of stock' replacements. They arn't even sure if they will continue to carry them. Kinda sucks cause they seemed like a nice alternative.

[blkongry]

Is this what you are looking for?? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7962912602&category=33710&sspagename=WDVW

[stupenal]

i find it actually easier to just unbolt the bumper. takes about 10 minutes, you get pretty good at it after awhile.

as for the replacement, you should buy stongard to prevent rock chips from damaging your new lense. It shouldnt be more than $20. I know some people put on yellow french fog film (www.lamin-x.com) to give it that Euro look. Personally I think it looks good only on black e36s with m3 front bumpers.

[dboyles]

Originally posted by blkongry
Is this what you are looking for?? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7962912602&category=33710&sspagename=WDVW

That is what I'm looking for. For $12.50, it's worth a shot.

Thanks!

[supertack]

Yah Boyles, I thought I had ya beat. I went to a max of $20, & some idiot paid $38 for those two lens'. I mean, it's a great alternative for broken glass, but $38??! With the $5 shipping, that's pretty pricey plasic. It's not like your gettin' the whole frickin' light. Some folks simply amaze.

[blkongry]

You ought to drop that seller a line and ask if he'll sell you a pair for... well, what ever you want to drop on some plastic lenses... where he had one pair, I'm sure he has another.

[dboyles]

Originally posted by supertack
Yah Boyles, I thought I had ya beat. I went to a max of $20, & some idiot paid $38 for those two lens'. I mean, it's a great alternative for broken glass, but $38??! With the $5 shipping, that's pretty pricey plasic. It's not like your gettin' the whole frickin' light. Some folks simply amaze.

Yep, after I first got outbid, I set up a snipe for like $21.52. I was amazed at the final selling price. I think I'll buy an entire new lamp assembly for $40, rather than a couple of replacement lenses for about the same price.

Originally posted by blkongry
You ought to drop that seller a line and ask if he'll sell you a pair for... well, what ever you want to drop on some plastic lenses... where he had one pair, I'm sure he has another.

If I was the seller and I had another pair, I'd be putting them up on eBay to let them sell for $40-ish rather than selling them to someone for $20-ish.

[blkongry]

Yeah, but something that goes for $40ish once, doesn't mean it will go for that again. I've seen a seller punt an item for half what it went for in the auction before... that's the beauty of Ebay. Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it at that time and place. If he's got a big stock of these lenses, it's in his best interest to make a solid sale. The next set may go for $2.00..... but not if you two are on there :-P

[supertack]

I use to get pissed when I went to bid on something that was currently low, but the high bidder had an idiotic max. Now I just keep bidding in small increments up to my max, just so the joker who bid the moon doesn't get it for cheap. I figure, if your gonna be an ass hole with your bids, you might as well have to fork out the cash.

[BMR MAN]

The cracking was probably due to the lamps being cold, then heating up, then being extremely cold again. You should only use fogs when you need them, despite them looking good. I would check around for better pricing. I've seen stock replacement assemblies range from 40-80. Thats per not pair. Good luck

Matt

[supertack]

Good call BMR. I use to leave the fogs engaged 24/7, so when I turned on my headlights the fogs would come on. The crack (and subsequent blown fuse) must have happened some time over the winter, but I didn't notice it until last month.
I even thought maybe the fog was impacted while driving by bulit up snow ruts during a winter storm. Im not sure if the impact shorted the fuse, or the crack led to the short. Either way, I leave them off now unless I need em.