rear 'fog lamp' question

[Parrot of doom]

On the back of my E300 there are two fog lamps and two reverse lights.

Out of the factory apparently only one of the fogs is wired up (drivers side), even though both lamps accomodate bulbs, and seem to be wired. I've checked this on a Merc forum, and people suggest its because of EC regulations?

So if I wired the 'dud' foglamp up to the other foglamp so they both illuminated, would I be doing 'owt wrong? Seems daft to have two lamps, but only one light.

[pmanson]

I've got 2 rear fogs on the back of my Golf Mk3 both with bulbs in.

Passes the MOT without any problems.

[john57]

Two fog lamps working at the back is not a problem. I know someone who got an Audi A6 estate with exactly the same thing and had the second one wired up.

I personally think one fog light is better at the back as two tend to obscure the brake lights - one is enough in my view.

[mybrainhurts]

I can't think of any car I've had with only one rear fog....save for the one I've just acquired.

[pagan]

just a thought, but having a proper workable and not a "dummy" light that did not work would be against the construction and use regulations would it not, and as such illegal?

[gilbertd]

Rear fogs must be a symmetrical pair or, if a single one, on the offside of the vehicle. Manufacturers save the odd 10p or so during manufacture by not fitting a bublholder on the unnecessary side, cheapskates!

[ledfoot]

It would be better if fog lights were banned completely.

My Audi only has one rear foglight, which is the norm.

[Parrot of Doom]

Ah but then how could you deal with the nighttime tailgater 3 feet from your bumper on the SCL road

Nah I'll just connect it up from the other one tomorrow.

[GKP]

It's some obscure rule for when the vehicle is manufactured about how far apart the pair of fog lamps can be. They get round it by only connecting one of the lights up (lhd/rhd etc) and save money in production by not having to make more than one type of rear lens.

There wouldn't be an (MOT etc) issue if you decided to plug a bulb into the unused side.

[TripleS]

Parrot of doom said:

On the back of my E300 there are two fog lamps and two reverse lights. Out of the factory apparently only one of the fogs is wired up (drivers side), even though both lamps accomodate bulbs, and seem to be wired. I've checked this on a Merc forum, and people suggest its because of EC regulations? So if I wired the 'dud' foglamp up to the other foglamp so they both illuminated, would I be doing 'owt wrong? Seems daft to have two lamps, but only one light.

I was surprised and annoyed to find our Peugeot 406 just the same. The LH lamp cluster had no bulb and no wiring for the fog lamp at that side, so I had that remedied by a Peugeot dealer. It now has twin rear fog lamps just as it should have had from the start, and I'm not too bothered about what the regulations say.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[hanse cronje]

focus, mazdas fiesta quiet a few these days have just the one with a fasle one to balance the light cluster

[gilbertd]

hanse cronje said:

focus, mazdas fiesta quiet a few these days have just the one with a fasle one to balance the light cluster

Another of Fords ideas to try and make a profit.......

(or slightly less of a loss anyway)

[hedders]

This is an interesting thread...

I failed an MOT once because i had two fog lamps but the bulb was blown on one side!

The guy told me that you only need one rear fog, but if two are fitted they must both work!

[xxxxxxrich]

ledfoot said:

It would be better if fog lights were banned completely.

I agree. Never use mine.
I drive a Saab 9000 and it has only one fog lamp, the reverse lamp is in the same position on the near side.

[DollySprintV8]

The inspection of rear fog lamps is confined to the one rear fog lamp which is required to be fitted to the centre or offside of
vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1980.
Note: On some vehicles the front fog lamps need to be switched on before the rear fog lamp(s) will work
.
Note: A rear fog lamp is permitted to operate independently of headlamp, position lamp or ignition systems.
6. With dipped headlamps and the ignition switched on, operate the rear fog lamp switch and check that a rear fog lamp
. is fitted to the centre or offside of the vehicle

. is working, and

. does not flicker when tapped lightly by hand.

Check also that the drivers tell-tale works properly.

7. Check the presence, condition, security and operation of the switch.
6. A mandatory rear fog lamp
a. is missing, does not emit a steady red light or emits a light other than red
b. incomplete, not in good working order or not visible from a reasonable distance
c. is insecure, obscured or not facing to
the rear
d. flickers when tapped lightly by hand e. tell-tale does not work
f. adversely affected by the operation of
any other lamp.
7. A rear fog lamp switch
a. missing
b. faulty
c. insecure
d. not able to be operated from the normal driving position.

A nearside Fog lamp is NOT A TESTABLE ITEM.

[trax]

I thought we had just one rear fog light in new cars as it was deemed safer???

I doubt in the big scheme of things it saves anything worthwhile for the manufacturers by not fitting one.

[hedders]

DollySprintV8 said:

The inspection of rear fog lamps is confined to the one rear fog lamp which is required to be fitted to the centre or offside of vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1980. Note: On some vehicles the front fog lamps need to be switched on before the rear fog lamp(s) will work . Note: A rear fog lamp is permitted to operate independently of headlamp, position lamp or ignition systems. 6. With dipped headlamps and the ignition switched on, operate the rear fog lamp switch and check that a rear fog lamp . is fitted to the centre or offside of the vehicle . is working, and . does not flicker when tapped lightly by hand. Check also that the drivers tell-tale works properly. 7. Check the presence, condition, security and operation of the switch. 6. A mandatory rear fog lamp a. is missing, does not emit a steady red light or emits a light other than red b. incomplete, not in good working order or not visible from a reasonable distance c. is insecure, obscured or not facing to the rear d. flickers when tapped lightly by hand e. tell-tale does not work f. adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp. 7. A rear fog lamp switch a. missing b. faulty c. insecure d. not able to be operated from the normal driving position. A nearside Fog lamp is NOT A TESTABLE ITEM.

Actually, I just remembered, you are right...One of my bulbs was blown and he told me it would be ok if the other had blown, not that they both had to work. My mistake

[fangio]

Aye, it's deemed safer to only have one so as not to 'mask' brake lights.

>> Edited by fangio on Sunday 5th February 17:37

[Mr E]

fangio said:

Aye, it's deemed safer to only have one so as not to 'mask' brake lights.

Which is why I'm pretty sure my car should have failed the SVA. The fogs are right next to the brakelights, which I think is not allowed.

I never use the bloody things, so it matters little.