By popular demand a couple of us have created extra brake light mod instructions. They detail how you can turn your unused rear fog lights into two new rear brake lights. It’s by far the cheapest mod you can make to your MINI (and one that greatly improves your visibility to others).
Some background: In Europe there are what is called rear fog lights. The idea is that they try to prevent the multi car pile-ups you see on highways when the fog is very thick. As many of you know the empty slot in the toggle switch row is filled with the rear fog light switch everywhere in the world but the US. For some reason it’s been determined that we don’t need rear fog lights. In fact there is an online petition for them to offer the lights as a retro fit kit on all MINIs.
Regardless a enterprising US MINI owner realized that the two rear fog light bulbs we’re actually still in the US MINI. So he decided to make an electrical jumper and turn those unused bulbs into extra brake lights. Both bulbs are the exact same wattage so they light up at essentially the same brightness. What has been found out since is that this change can be made simply with a paperclip and electrical tape. It’s a good solution for those that don’t want to do something permanent to their car. Of course soldering the connection with a real jumper is the best solution if you have the time and know how.
You can download the instructional PDF
here.
Thanks to Steve for doing the work and Michael for donating the MCS.
Legal stuff: You are solely responsible for any actions you undertake as a result of the information you obtain on this site. By downloading this PDF, you hereby release this site and its publishers from all claims, damages, or personal injury that result from your use of any information contained on this site and the PDF.
<p>I know what I'm doing Saturday afternoon. A little wire, some solder, and poof, new improved brake lights. THANKS Gabe, Steve, and Mike.</p>
<p>Great job. Just one other question – With the addition of the euro switch block (including the rear fog switch) is it possible to have the car programmed to activate the rear fogs? Or is there additional wiring/cabling necessary? Or does anyone really know yet? Only asking BC I'd prefer to have the use of rear fog, rather than additional brake lights. [I know that on the e39 BMW for the US we could replace the switch on the dash, but it also involved quite a bit of wiring.]</p>
<p>Tom; I would assume that it is possible but I'm not 100% certain. I think there was a pretty long thread this past summer on MINI2 about this issue. Why MINI took these away from the US market to begin with I'll never know.</p>
<p>Good instructions, first rate photos and text – If you go the paperclip route, you need not remove the whole light assembly, just unplug the harness and add the clip. It really does look nicer with both lights working.</p>
<p>The link to the instructions did not work. Can someone send me a link or copy. Lawrence</p>
<p>Hi Guys,</p>
<p>I tried to download the pdf file for the rear fog lights to work. Could someone who has downloaded it send it to me? </p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Steve..</p>