E30 Zone

318is failed MOT today, needs fixing asap as need it for work

One of things it failed on was rear fog light didnt come on, bulb is fine, no fuses broken/out...I'd say that leaves switch or wiring..

Anyone else experienced any problems with fogs? i.e. is it a common problem?

Should be able to get a switch from a friend with a few e30's...

If anyone could shed any light on this it would be helpful

Also, front passenger shocker is leaking, i had another shocker in the garage, how can i tell if this is passenger or drivers side?

cheers for any help

Ross.

rossd wrote: Also, front passenger shocker is leaking, i had another shocker in the garage, how can i tell if this is passenger or drivers side?

No difference AFAIK.

did you check the bulb by looking at it or by testing it with the side that was working cos some times the bulb will look fine but it is still blown + you should change shocks in pairs

as above but if bulb does work in another slot like the reverse light then it may well be the switch as I have had a faulty fog lamp switch on mine (with front and rear fogs). I presume your is has fronts and rears?
I cured my fog lamp problem with a new switch

For best behaviour dampers should be fitted in pairs across the vehicle.

Fog lamp switch is very easy to remove and clean green gunk off.

Neither side fog light works,the light doesnt come on on the dash either which makes me think its not the bulb...Tried a different switch and still same problem

Ive got a strut in my garage that has shocker and spring in, on it is says e30 318is o/s- can i take the shocker out and use that on either side?

Has anyone got any uprated shocks as i could probably do with uprated? cheers

Ross.

My fog light failed - turned out it was the switch. As a quick fix to get it through the MOT I swapped the switch to the one for the front fogs as these aren't needed for MOT . I had to cut a little plastic lug off to turn the switch around though

Daf318is wrote:My fog light failed - turned out it was the switch. As a quick fix to get it through the MOT I swapped the switch to the one for the front fogs as these aren't needed for MOT . I had to cut a little plastic lug off to turn the switch around though

Exactly what i did , my front ones were working but the rears werent. Just waiting for a new switch to come through the post.

ive tried a new swtich (not brand new) and still the same problem??

rossd wrote:ive tried a new swtich (not brand new) and still the same problem??

have you tried jumping the terminals to make sure it is the switch? I got a s/h switch from my breakers and that was also duff!

Is it just one of the lights not working or both? (i have one that works and one that doesn't)

Have you checked for a blown fuse?
Are the bulbs correctly located in the holders?
Are the holders and bulbs clear of any corrosion?
Are the bulbs the right bulbs?
Do they work in another holder? (ie reverse lights)

If it's none of the above and you've tried a new switch I'm guessing it's likely to be a dodgy live/earth wire somewhere. (I would guess most likely to be the earth if you've not got any lights coming on.)

I know the above are fairly obvious but you don't state if you've checked them yet.

You should be able to use the shock as a quick fix to your MOT but for the simple point of Safety you should replace both sides as soon as you can afford to (although I think they're still fairly cheap at ECP for the generic ones so maybe worth giving them a shout.)

the relay is in the fuse box small black one,
if you have front fogs there will be two of these.
the rear one is nearest the engine.
maybe worth a look.

there working now? no idea why or how???? light doesnt come on on the dash so think the bulb is out there....

I might have another shocker to fit for time being(plan to change both for aftermarket later on)..

Think the car is guna be off road for a short while getting a mondeo for the time being so no immediate hurry

thanks for the help though guys