Fog Light Assembly Replacement

[richardlmiller]

Both Fog Lights on my 2011 Cayenne have cracked or broken lenses. I have the replacement assemblies, but I have read several different ways to replace the assemblies -- some seem harder (remove bumper), somewhat hard (remover wheel and then wheel housing liner) and easier (remove lower plastic panel under the vehicle).

So what are your experiences and what is the best, fastest and easiest way to get to these assemblies (both left and right)? Thanks.

[jrbennett]

I don't know about the '11+ Cayennes but on the '10 and earlier you can remove the lower bumper valance or wheel/wheel liner to replace the lights, unless it's a turbo which requires the complete bumper off

[richardlmiller]

Thanks for your suggestions on how to replace the fog lights on the new model Cayennes.

First, the problem appears to be with the glass lenses cracking and mine cracked on BOTH sides. Interesting that there are NO stones chips on the front of my Cayenne, but bothe burst. I am guessing these overheated and rain burst the glass lenses. I cannot understand how BOTH would break with no apparent stone chips.



Getting to these lights is confusing and not clear.

To start, I jacked up the car and placed my safety jack stands.



There was NO need to remove the front wheel, but I did find it useful to turn the wheel lock to lock for easier access.

So I first removed the plastic covers under the engine and started to work on the black front spoiler cover. I then discovered that the wheel housing liners are connected to the front spoiler -- and when I started to remove the screws to the liners -- I was able to get access to the fog light assembly.





Removing the liner requires a few tools but you only need to remove 5 of the screws. The tools uses included these:



And you will need a Torx T-25:



Once you loosen the liner, access to the fog lights is relatively simple and easy to reach into with your arm.



If you are only changing the light, simply twist the connector counter-clockwise about a 1/4 turn and it should come out. Remember the rules about touching the bulb, and the light connector is easily pulled from the wire connector. (I did not need to do this as my light bulbs are still working just fine -- but if in fact, these are overheating and cause the lenses to break, perhaps LED bulb replacement may be appropriate.)



CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

[richardlmiller]

THIS IS THE CONTINUED POST

Taking out the assembly was relative easy -- it appears the factory put a dab of white paint on the 2 screws and with an LED flashlight, I could easily take the two screws out (note -- screws are located bottom left and top right on the driver side and opposite on the passenger side)

The new assembly was ordered from Porsche or is available here. To more easily see where the screws holes are, I painted around the holes and the top of the screws. This really helps to see where to hand tighten the screws and then to see where to put the Torx bit into the screws.





Once the light is in place and the 2 screws tightened (not too much as you are screwing into nylon), replace the light assembly and turn it clockwise about 1/4 turn.

Test the light to make sure all is working as expected.

Now, to put the wheel housing liner back into place takes a bit of twisting and inserting into the channels on the wheel cover wing and the body. I found that using the trim removal tools was helpful to get the liner in place.



If you removed one of the screws under the car, here is the correct reassembly. The factory may not have done this correctly or the dealer may have done this incorrectly.



I used an awl to assist moving the liner in place and to align the screws.



Replace all the screws, unjack the car and your task is complete!



And thanks for the help in getting started !! I hope other Cayenne owners find this useful