A8 Parts Forum  

Go Back   A8 Parts Forum > A8 D2 > D2 - Lights

D2 - Lights Headlights, xenons, foglights. Everything outside the car that glows

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25th February 2021, 12:56 AM
CaifanSC CaifanSC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 75
Default Request: Info about UK rear fog light and lamp housing

Howdy all,

I'll be replacing the actuator boot in the 01 and while I have the trim off the trunk lid I noticed that US cars have a provision for the RHD fog lamp. The cavity is closed, but has clear slots for easily cutting or punching through the cap. For US cars, the rear fog light is on the left (drivers side). If I'm not mistaking, for UK cars the rear fog is on the RIGHT (UK drivers side) correct?

With that said, I'd like to add the right side foglamp bulb on both of mine and have a dual fog light system. It seems so easy....knock out the plug in the housing, get a bulb socket and bulb, splice and run wires across the lid to the other foglamp, and voila! That's where I stumbled upon my question. I'm told the UK fog lamp may also have a reflective coating on the RIGHT (inside the fog light bulb cavity), where as the US right-side lamp does not.

So, could one of you fine folks in the UK check your lamps to try and determine if there is a reflective coating? Or perhaps someone has pictures of a lamp housing that was damaged or cracked opened up for one reason or another? I'm trying to figure out if, in order to successfully do this, I will also need to buy a UK-spec lamp.

Many thanks!

Many thanks!
__________________
Audi V8 Quattro Original 5speed - Black/Black
Audi S8 - Avus/Oxblood
Audi S8 - Cashmere/Twist
BMW 850i - Red 6speed
BMW 850Csi - Red 6speed
Ford Thunderbird x 3 Supercharged & 5speeds
Mustang convertible
Range Rover Autobiography - BRG/English Tan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25th February 2021, 06:27 AM
Ameiseuk's Avatar
Ameiseuk Ameiseuk is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Newtownabbey, UK
Posts: 463
Default

Fog lights do have a reflector (or reflective material) on the inside of the housing.

2 possible solutions -

1.. Purchase UK RHD foglamp housing from our forum sponsors. Hopefully this will come with a bulb, lampholder and some wiring to tap in to. This gives you a proper fog lamp. (as long as you can stomach the shipping cost, duties etc on entry to the US)

2.. Split the existing lamp and fabricate a fog lamp of sorts. I used to do this in my days of importing cars directly from Japan where they have no fog lamps at all. The easiest solution was to apply spray glue to the inside of the housing and apply tin foil (shiny side out) to the housing and fit a 21W bulb. Reassemble housing with a hot melt glue gun to ensure it was sealed against water ingress and refit. It wasn't perfect but every one passed the MOT (annual vehicle test) here in the UK and looked better than a $5 aftermarket lamp bolted to the rear fender.


Hope this helps
__________________


Daily drive:
2016 Infiniti QX70.....a car that's even more complicated than my last Infiniti FX to modify

Current 'Project':
VW Crafter CR50 4 berth camper van

Previous 'Projects':
2006 Subaru Legacy Spec 'B' 3.0R,
1994 Ex-MOD Land Rover Defender, now "civilianised".
2000 Audi S8 FL

www.whall.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25th February 2021, 10:08 AM
HPsauce HPsauce is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chilterns, almost over HS2!
Posts: 8,366
Default

I've fitted a second foglamp om my UK D2, it's very easy, apart from the reflector!
Everything was there including the wiring, I just bought a bulbholder from our sponsors, unwrapped the connector, fitted a bulb and plugged it in.
I vaguely recall that there might have been a blanking plate to punch out but that was dead easy.

Except...… there's no reflective material on the plastic and no obvious way to take the unit apart easily. So at first it looked relatively dim.
In the end I bought some adhesive metallic tape, cut off little tapered strips of it, fed them through the mounting hole and pressed them into place with my fingers and various tools.
It worked well enough that the two fog lights now appear near enough the same intensity. Occasionally an MOT tester has commented on them but not enough to flag it up, mainly just the observation that there are two.

So, UK-spec cars have a reflector on the single standard (right) side foglamp, but not the left.
But all the wiring is there for both, at least it was on my 1998 PF and subsequent 2002 FL....
__________________
2003 D2 FL S8. Irish Green Pearl/Beige. Solar sunroof, auto-dim mirrors, electric rear seat functions, ski hatch retrofit; extended leather. Aftermarket DVB-T, reversing camera and full XCarlink (Bluetooth etc.).
2016 Volvo V40 T5 Cross Country (4WD) with ALL the toys including adaptive cruise etc. etc. Osmium Grey with Blonde/Charcoal leather interior. Polestar performance "optimisation". (A much rarer model than a D2 S8 by the way!) Oh, and a brand new engine at just under 30,000 miles on the factory one!
Finally: gone, but not forgotten.....
1998 D2 PF S8. AgateGrey/Platinum. Every option (I think) except electric rear seats, tiptronic steering wheel, ski hatch, towbar & dimming door mirrors.
e.g. Cruise control, NavPlus/TV, Bose, GSM, Xenons, Solar roof, Parking sensors, Alcantara/leather everywhere of course. (internal dimming mirror added later)
1998 (very early) Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec; ABS/TCS, Heated screen/mirrors, Aircon, Auto-dim mirror, Leather, Trip computer, Cruise control, OEM Ford SatNav with CD changer.
And before that a lot of Rover 800s, a few oddities, a lovely Triumph Dolomite 1850HL with Overdrive and way back in my schooldays an Austin Seven aka Mini 850!

Last edited by HPsauce; 25th February 2021 at 10:13 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25th February 2021, 02:57 PM
CaifanSC CaifanSC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 75
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ameiseuk View Post

2.. The easiest solution was to apply spray glue to the inside of the housing and apply tin foil (shiny side out) to the housing and fit a 21W bulb.
So you used plain ol' kitchen foil?
__________________
Audi V8 Quattro Original 5speed - Black/Black
Audi S8 - Avus/Oxblood
Audi S8 - Cashmere/Twist
BMW 850i - Red 6speed
BMW 850Csi - Red 6speed
Ford Thunderbird x 3 Supercharged & 5speeds
Mustang convertible
Range Rover Autobiography - BRG/English Tan
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25th February 2021, 03:00 PM
CaifanSC CaifanSC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 75
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HPsauce View Post
Everything was there including the wiring, I just bought a bulbholder from our sponsors, unwrapped the connector, fitted a bulb and plugged it in.
I vaguely recall that there might have been a blanking plate to punch out but that was dead easy.
You are right, the blanking plate just has to be punched or cut out. There are two or three small spots where it's actually attached, so it's easy to open up that cavity.

I didn't know the wiring was tucked away. I'll have to check.
__________________
Audi V8 Quattro Original 5speed - Black/Black
Audi S8 - Avus/Oxblood
Audi S8 - Cashmere/Twist
BMW 850i - Red 6speed
BMW 850Csi - Red 6speed
Ford Thunderbird x 3 Supercharged & 5speeds
Mustang convertible
Range Rover Autobiography - BRG/English Tan
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25th February 2021, 03:18 PM
HPsauce HPsauce is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chilterns, almost over HS2!
Posts: 8,366
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaifanSC View Post
I didn't know the wiring was tucked away. I'll have to check.
It could be that the wiring is just extended for right-hand-drive cars as they're probably a minority, so indeed best to check.

On the other hand it shows some weird/significant attention to detail (cost-cutting?) to leave out reflecting material on one side....

Incidentally I just checked the wiring was "live" by unplugging the fog light holder and plugging it into the other sides corresponding connector, before ordering anything.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaifanSC View Post
So you used plain ol' kitchen foil?
Remember he's not talking about a D2, but "the old days" of adding fog lights to Japanese imports....
That said, the material I used was effectively kitchen foil reflectivity on an adhesive backing; just commonly-available aluminium adhesive tape.
__________________
2003 D2 FL S8. Irish Green Pearl/Beige. Solar sunroof, auto-dim mirrors, electric rear seat functions, ski hatch retrofit; extended leather. Aftermarket DVB-T, reversing camera and full XCarlink (Bluetooth etc.).
2016 Volvo V40 T5 Cross Country (4WD) with ALL the toys including adaptive cruise etc. etc. Osmium Grey with Blonde/Charcoal leather interior. Polestar performance "optimisation". (A much rarer model than a D2 S8 by the way!) Oh, and a brand new engine at just under 30,000 miles on the factory one!
Finally: gone, but not forgotten.....
1998 D2 PF S8. AgateGrey/Platinum. Every option (I think) except electric rear seats, tiptronic steering wheel, ski hatch, towbar & dimming door mirrors.
e.g. Cruise control, NavPlus/TV, Bose, GSM, Xenons, Solar roof, Parking sensors, Alcantara/leather everywhere of course. (internal dimming mirror added later)
1998 (very early) Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec; ABS/TCS, Heated screen/mirrors, Aircon, Auto-dim mirror, Leather, Trip computer, Cruise control, OEM Ford SatNav with CD changer.
And before that a lot of Rover 800s, a few oddities, a lovely Triumph Dolomite 1850HL with Overdrive and way back in my schooldays an Austin Seven aka Mini 850!

Last edited by HPsauce; 25th February 2021 at 03:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25th February 2021, 03:33 PM
CaifanSC CaifanSC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 75
Default

I'll update later regrading the wiring. I'll have to check both of mine.

I did want to thank you both for the info. It confirms that I need to take an extra step to get this to work the right way. I'm assesing how to proceed. I'm thinking I may try to modify one car and buy a UK lamp assembly for the other, then compare.

FYI. In my research, I found the following VAG part numbers. I'm missing the PN for the correct oem VAG "repair wire" to use that will fit the connector and the terminals to the bulb socket. Whenever I find it, I'll post that, too.

Fog lamp bulb socket: 893945265
Connector to lamp socket: 443971996
__________________
Audi V8 Quattro Original 5speed - Black/Black
Audi S8 - Avus/Oxblood
Audi S8 - Cashmere/Twist
BMW 850i - Red 6speed
BMW 850Csi - Red 6speed
Ford Thunderbird x 3 Supercharged & 5speeds
Mustang convertible
Range Rover Autobiography - BRG/English Tan
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25th February 2021, 04:10 PM
The_Laird's Avatar
The_Laird The_Laird is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Redmile: Leics, Notts, Lincs border - near Belvoir Castle
Posts: 5,069
Default

I did the same some years ago on my FE D2. No parts required other than the build holder form our sponsors. And a bit of aluminium (aluminum would probably do just as well ) tape.
__________________
2002 Final Edition S8. Ebony black with Silver Grey leather and myrtle wood trim.
Current mods: solar sun roof, 20mm rear spacers, 15 mm on front, red brembo callipers, 6k headlights, rear view camera, engine remap, alloy dash dial rings, alloy navi rings, tt/phaeton pedal upgrade, (and custom matching foot rest) dension ipod interface & parrot hands free kit (both fully hidden), av input, tv in motion switched thro' PF switch in blanking plug right of steering column, Audi 'quattro' sill covers, repositioned centre console switches, radio clock, .
Planned mods: auto-dimming rear view mirror, dash cam (as steamship's), fit the ski hatch, refit philips drl's (or maybe not - nope, definitely not - horrible botch!).
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26th February 2021, 12:45 AM
pete-p's Avatar
pete-p pete-p is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Bristol
Posts: 662
Default

Pretty sure I have a spare assembly if you want to test, it's in the garage as I recently replaced mine due to cracks in the reversing light letting water in.

Not sure what the postage would be but the light unit is free to a good home.
__________________
Cars...
'93 Audi Coupe 2.0 Alpine White (sold)
'99 Audi S4 Merlin Purple - K04 upgrade to 412hp (sold)
'00 Audi S8 Agate Grey (Sold )
'11 Audi Q7 4.2tdi Unknown Red (Classic Red Pearl Effect - thanks MJ)

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26th February 2021, 01:49 AM
CaifanSC CaifanSC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 75
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pete-p View Post
Pretty sure I have a spare assembly if you want to test, it's in the garage as I recently replaced mine due to cracks in the reversing light letting water in.

Not sure what the postage would be but the light unit is free to a good home.
Sending you a PM, Pete.
__________________
Audi V8 Quattro Original 5speed - Black/Black
Audi S8 - Avus/Oxblood
Audi S8 - Cashmere/Twist
BMW 850i - Red 6speed
BMW 850Csi - Red 6speed
Ford Thunderbird x 3 Supercharged & 5speeds
Mustang convertible
Range Rover Autobiography - BRG/English Tan
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.