MR-S import - Rear Fog Light

[HFB]

This weekend I decided to remove the tacky chromed look rear bumper inserts on my 1999 import MR-S and replace them with standard, grey plastic ones.

As you will see from the pics, because it is an import, someone retro-fitted a rear fog light, cutting into the plastics and screwing in the fog light unit.






I didn't like this light, so for now, I have not re-fitted the rear foglight or cut into the plastics and the wiring is just taped up and tucked away until I decide what to do.

Firstly.........if one is not fitted, by Law, do I need a rear foglight?

Secondly, If I do have to have one, can anyone suggest alternatives that will sit inside the slots a lot neater and without having to cut into the plastics (like an LED/DRL style red strip) that will just plug and play with the 2 wires already in place to re-connect?

HFB

[SteveMK3]

I'm pretty sure it is a legal requirement but someone else will hopefully be able to confirm this. As for the light itself my previous Roadster was an import too and had a similar light to yours which I also removed. I fitted an a long/thin LED type light above the number plate on the underside of flat/return edge of the bumper. It worked a treat and always passed the MOT no problem plus you couldn't even notice it unless it was turned on.

[spit]

Yes it is a MOT requirement. Its not treated as a removable item like a spare wheel which you can leave at home to pass the test.

On my AZ-3, I took inner lights of the lamp clusters out of the brake light circuit and ran them through a fog switch on the dash.

Many imports (perhaps all, I'm not sure) have the "double double" brake light feature. The MR-S is no exception, so its a neat solution if you don't want to clutter the back end up with extra lamps.

[hamspeed]

Legally speaking you'll need one for MOT purposes. If your car is not fitted with front or rear lighting, it can be tested as a "daylight only" vehicle though. How about an LED unit fitted within the centre grill?

[Carolyn]

I like Hamish's solution.  Another elegant (but extravagant) solution is a TRD spoiler with the light wired up for the purpose.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Doesn't the foglight need to be is a set position? (maximum height from the ground)

[Carolyn]

Passed MOT two days ago...

[HFB]

Yes it is a MOT requirement. Its not treated as a removable item like a spare wheel which you can leave at home to pass the test.

On my AZ-3, I took inner lights of the lamp clusters out of the brake light circuit and ran them through a fog switch on the dash.

Many imports (perhaps all, I'm not sure) have the "double double" brake light feature. The MR-S is no exception, so its a neat solution if you don't want to clutter the back end up with extra lamps.

I thought the fog light had to be a separate light from any others and not share a function?

I'd presumably need to chop about the rear light cluster to get this result?

Rear spoiler light is a bit too upmarket for my little boneshaker Carolyn   s:D s:D  

Like the little round LED idea.......thinking a strip, like red DRL's though might work. Does there need to be a minimum brightness for the foglight?

HFB

[spit]

I thought the fog light had to be a separate light from any others and not share a function?

You may have misunderstood. I took the inner lamps out of the brake circuit and gave them their own feed via a fog switch.
No need to chop the cluster, but you would have to chop the loom. The result is twin fogs which have been through many MOTs with a number of testing stations with no bother.

Seems you're heading for another solution anyway.

E2V may be right about the lamp position being defined somehow in the rules. No idea what that rule is though. Judging from the variety of factory foglight solutions used by manufacturers, I'd guess its quite flexible! Perhaps it is just limited to a minimum height from the ground as he suggests...... which can get pretty low on something like a Eunos with an aftermarket brick  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

If you contact a firm specialising in SVA preparation, they'll be able to advise if your friendly testing station can't.

[HFB]

Thanks Spit, yes I did mi-understand you!  s:) s:)

I already have the wiring there from the old, clunky looking light in the first pic that has been removed along with the chrome looking insert trims.

I've ordered these from the bay



They are just under 10cm long, 2cm high so should fit nicely inside the vanes/slots of the rear insert and I can just screw them in with small self tappers and crimp on some push fit connectors.

Only cost £7.50 ish for a batch of 10, so if it works, and looks OK, then maybe a few other members might want a nice little freebie solution their imports.  s:D s:D

HFB

[HFB]

Went for the slimmer, red, DRL strip option.

Not sure about the durability as the wires were monumentally flimsy and it's held in place with 3M sticky pad that came with the strips (stuck to the mesh insert, so not got a solid contact to adhere to).

Light is a lot redder in the flesh, just looks whiter in the pic.

Have got a spare red DRL if this one goes flying off, as well as the 10 pack of the other red LED strips as above, so ample to get me through a few MOT's as this will probably be the only time they are used!



HFB