[cal45fan]

Ok guys, I have heard a great deal of discussion on activating the front fog lights (built-in the headlight housing) via the Stealership.

The fog lights are not activated in all States because of their height restrictions so this may apply to you. Here is Colorado, I am in the same boat as most of you are. However, I have found a way to activate them without the Stealership's help and paying at least $49.00 for the procedure!!!

Here goes: The procedure I have here is for reference and informational puposes only. If you mess up your system because of unforseen reasons, DO NOT BLAME ME! This activation procedure worked fo me and it might NOT work for you.

1) Uncover your Fuse Box in the Engine compartment.
2) Looking at the Fuse Box from the Driver's fender, pull out the two relays (k29 AND k30) for the rear AND front fog lights. See picture 1.
3) Lay both relays on your work table with the "HELLA" words facing you. See picture 2.
4) Cut a piece of wire about 4 inches long and solder each end to the terminal on the top left most side. Make sure no wire strands are touching the other relay terminals. See picture 3.
5) Insert relays back in the fuse box with the wires attaching them together. See picture 4.
6) After installing H3 bulbs in the foglight housing (headlight unit) turn on Aux switch; Voila! Front Fog lights are on. See picture 5.

Just a quick thing...If you liked this mod and you think this is very helpful to you by saving you money, maybe I can ask a favor...I need a navigation disc for Colorado, or the set (even just a copy, 2004.1 edition). I bought my ML used and it did not come with any. We just moved here and we need to find our way around. I will even pay for shipping via PayPal. Thanks...

 

[Bogie]

Where are your fog lights? I've heard of them being built into the headlights, but I can't tell what I'm looking at in your image. It this true for post '02 ML's too?

 

[uptown]

Can this really be?? wow! so much for computer activated aux lights eh?

 

[cal45fan]

I know this is true for 98-00 ML's but I ma not sure on post-02. The fog lights are inside the headlight unit. See your owner's manual on how to replace the fog lights. This will tell you where it is and how to put one in, if you do not have one in place yet.

 

[Bogie]

Cool! What I would like to know is how to turn on the fog lights and the parking lights only, like when I exit the car at night. I think there is some legal reason this is not enabled, but I can't see the reasoning behind it. It looks so cool though.

 

[cal45fan]

You are asking way tooooo much Bogie...LOL!

 

[Bogie]

I know...

 

[cal45fan]

For you that missed this procedure, I thought I'd throw it out there again. Enjoy.

 

[Gleb]

@ cal45fan!

Hmmmm.... interesting
Have you connected both fog lights (front abs rear) parallel together?


I'lll try it tomorrow

 

[SML430]

ML

Cal45 helped me through this about a month ago. I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome. I don't really care about my single rear foglight because I never see it. I had a friend follow me home the other night and she said, "you know one rear light is brighter than the other.. its very distracting and I couldn't stop looking at it"... so that basically means it serving its purpose. I want the person behind me to keep an eye on me. In my opinion... it was a good idea by MB. I'm sure it grabs peoples attention and makes them think... I Just hope I won't get pulled over for it.

good luck... its very easy... I didn't even use a soldering iron.. I just wrapped the wire around the correct fuse plug and taped it with electrical tape. no problems and I'm confident in my setup

 

[JAD]

Cal45 helped me through this about a month ago. I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome. I don't really care about my single rear foglight because I never see it. I had a friend follow me home the other night and she said, "you know one rear light is brighter than the other.. its very distracting and I couldn't stop looking at it"... so that basically means it serving its purpose. I want the person behind me to keep an eye on me. In my opinion... it was a good idea by MB. I'm sure it grabs peoples attention and makes them think... I Just hope I won't get pulled over for it.

good luck... its very easy... I didn't even use a soldering iron.. I just wrapped the wire around the correct fuse plug and taped it with electrical tape. no problems and I'm confident in my setup

Any special type of wire that you used? Also, does this turn on the rear fog when the front fogs are turned on or can the rear be turned on and off seperately?

 

[cal45fan]

You have to use at least a 14 guage wire about 4 inches long. Make sure you follow my instructions. Yes, this set up also turns the rear foglights on.

Good luck.

 

[falconnian]

wait, i think im an idiot.

there are exisiting fog lights in our headlights? is it in the 99 models as well? can someone take a picture of a headlight with just the foglights and not both on?

 

[stillf1y]

wait, i think im an idiot.

there are exisiting fog lights in our headlights? is it in the 99 models as well? can someone take a picture of a headlight with just the foglights and not both on?

here's some pics to help yourself....

 

[rlsmith999]

In my 2000 ML320 the fog lights are in the inside corners of the headlight assemblies. If you look carefully at the back of a headlight assembly you will see there are are three bulb connectors: low, high, and fog. This pic from owners manual should clarify (this is the back of the left headlight assembly; see item #9). It is difficult to insert the H3 55W fog lamp bulbs without removing the headlight assembly because there is not much room back there, and you need to connect a pigtail after locking the clamping ring.

 

[falconnian]

thanks for the clarification guys!

 

[falconnian]

just a little update:

i went to advanced auto parts and got two h3 bulbs= 5$
also picked up some 14 gauge wire (came in 20 foot, even though i only needed ~4 inches)= 5$

Installed the bulbs like you guys said, as well as wired the terminals together (i didnt soder the connections or electrical tape, just careful wiring). Everything works great and i am very happy with it. Total cost of project was 15$. Thanks again!

btw, all the dealers that i called wanted ~120-150$ for the computer activation.

 

[rudedude]

Is the rear fog light removable. I'm sure it will attract unwanted attention from the local police here in so Cal. I recently got pulled over because the officer thought my headlights were too bright, they are stock and adjusted properly.

 

[PhiSig]

Wow, very helpful. I am def gonna try this.


Once you do this Mod, is it possible to run your front fogs without the headlights on? Also can you run the front fogs without the rear fog as well. I thought there is a seperate switch for both front and rear aux lights.

 

[falconnian]

Wow, very helpful. I am def gonna try this.


Once you do this Mod, is it possible to run your front fogs without the headlights on? Also can you run the front fogs without the rear fog as well. I thought there is a seperate switch for both front and rear aux lights.

From what i have tried so far, you can only run them with the headlights on. With this mod it pretty must has to light the back one in order to light the front. The whole point is to wire the terminal to send the signal of "on" to the front ones when it is sent to the one in the back.