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SUVs Mitsubishi Outlander Rear Fog Light: A tricky subject
22 messages, Last post on Oct 01, 2009 at 11:53 AM
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I have already adapted the two side-marker lamps (both edges) from a 2009 Outlander XLS 4WD to accept a rear fog bulb (12V-21W) socket and respective connector, in addition to the side-marker bulb (12V-5W) already there. What I did was to order from the UK from any Peugeot dealer (they sell the 4007 model that has the same rear structure as the Outlander and indeed is the same Outlander but with a different nose and has a diesel engine) a bulb holder (part# 621563) and a fog bulb from a Mitsubishi dealer (part# MS820026). Both items can be ordered from a Mitsubishi dealer but the price is almost double the price of Peugeot. If you want to pay more you may order both side markers from a Mitsubishi dealer (the side-marker lamp is called rear fog lamps in Europe) The UK will sell you the rear right fog lamp with only a bulb but you can order from the same dealer the rear left fog lamp with the fog bulb on the left side. In Europe is compulsory to have just one rear fog light although two one at each end is also acceptable. If you opt for this approach then you need to make holes in the side where the side-marker bulbs should go. The side-marker bulb holders can then be used from those of the American model. I took both side-marker lamp assemblies from the 2009 Outlander XLS and by using a model hobby rotary tool kit I made a hole in each lamp carefully to plug the rear fog bulb holder on it. It fixes firmly just with a little click. The rear fog bulb holder comes also with its connector which is the same connector of the side-marker bulb holder connector. There are two ways of having rear fog lights + side-marker lights in an American model: (1)- Method 1: Run a proper graded wire from the adapted or modified rear side-marker lamp connector (rear fog bulb holder) to the instrumentation cluster; install a proper switch button (part# MR190952), a relay (part# MR588567) and fuse (10A) when required. The switch button will be operated by the driver independently. This job in addition to the items above named need to disassembly and assembly the rear bumper face to gain access to the rear bumper wiring harness. The end product of this approach is (a) - rear fog light in both ends in the rear bumper controlled by the driver and (b)- side-marker light controlled by the ETACS-ECU as was always the case. There is no need to reprogram the ETACS-ECU. Some fastener may be broken when doing the job with the rear bumper. Broken fastener must be replaced by new ones. (2)- Method 2: This is more sophisticated method that needs more technical skill and knowledge. (a)- First of all the rear side-marker connector which is connected to the ETACS-ECU connector must be disconnected (unplugged) and the new adapted rear fog light (already in the side-marker lamp (it will occupy the center area of the lamp)) connector will take its place. If the ETACS-ECU is not reprogrammed then the rear fog light will function as a side-marker light all the time and this is what we don’t want. (b)- Secondly to prevent that the rear fog light from working like a side-marker light the ETACS-ECU must be reprogrammed using a European stalk switch (I have already bought one, part# 8614A061) instead of the original stalk switch (the original stalk switch may be with or without the front fog light functionality).. When this is done the rear fog bulb will light only when the driver manipulates the European stalk switch appropriately otherwise it will be always off. Under this situation the side-marker light connector is orphan. Before reprogramming a relay (part# MR588567) must be installed appropriately in the relay box and a fuse (10A) installed if required. (c)- To make the side-marker operative it needs that the orphan connector be connected to a live wire harness like for example the license plate light wiring that is always on when the side-marker light is also on. This task implies to work with the wiring harness located to the left (corner) of the rear bumper that conducts current up to the license plate light in the tailgate. If this is done properly the side-marker light will be on when the license plate light is on and the rear fog light will be on when the driver deliberately requests this function by using the European stalk switch. (d)- Method 2 requires to disassembly and assembly the left corner bumper and the rear bumper face to gain access to the wiring harness. Some fastener may be broken when doing this job. Broken fastener must be replaced by new ones. Note: (I)- I know part (1) above works because I did it few years ago in another vehicle. I used the services of an auto electrician to do the job. I provide him with all the parts and told him what I wanted. He used his skill of soldering and identifying live wires and also identifying appropriate relay terminals for the switch button and working under the instrumentation cluster to identify power sources for the switch and relay which need the skills of a contortionist. (II)- I haven’t done part (2) yet but I am convinced that it will work at least theoretically. I have a 2009 Outlander CD that gives a lot of information about wiring harness, location of connectors, disassembly and assembly of the rear bumper, uses of the MUT-III to reprogram the ETACS-ECU, electrical diagram for the side-marker lights and license plate lights. At the moment I am getting in touch with a local Mitsubishi dealer service department people to see if this people would like to do the job. The ideal approach to this problem could be that the dealership has an auto electrician on his staff and also that the dealership has on its staff somebody that does auto body shop work but I very much doubt this. I think that the only thing that the dealer service department could do is to manipulate the MUT-III system to reprogram the ETACS-ECU so the rear fog light may be energized by using the new stalk switch. I think doing method-2 ($200-$300) is much more expensive than method-1 ($50-$100). In other words I do not expect to tackle part (1) or part (2) on my own. Photos or video may need to wait for a few months. I think an auto body shop could do the wiring job and disassembly and assembly the rear bumper and make the electrical connection. They are experts on mending smashed cars (panels) with broken electrical wire harnesses. They usually return the crashed car in good working conditions. They know people with auto electrical expertise.
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Replying to: batman47 (Sep 01, 2009 2:31 am)
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Replying to: comem47 (Sep 01, 2009 7:27 am)
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Replying to: batman47 (Sep 01, 2009 9:02 am)
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Replying to: comem47 (Sep 01, 2009 10:11 am) The rear fog light functionality needs either a European/UK stalk switch that will also need the ETACS-ECU reprogrammed or a button rear fog switch. The European stalk switch comes with the front fog and rear fog functionality and the front fog icon and the rear fog icon scribbled on it. The way how this stalk switch operates is usually one turn forward connects the front fog light only. Two turns forward connects the rear fog light. When this is done the vehicle has front fog and rear fog illuminated. The side-marker light will be in operation regardless of the drive’s manipulation of the fog stalk. This approach has been explained in a previous contribution. The approach is clean and doesn’t need a switch button near the instrumentation cluster. The other approach is to use a switch button connected to a wire that will run from the rear fog socket to the instrument cluster. This switch will illuminate with the rear fog icon when operated by the driver. If the Outlander is a XLS with Xenon its switch stalk will not have the front fog light functionality and it will have only the DRL which will switch off when the xenon is activated on. This approach (switch button) will work regardless if the car has front fog or DRL. Mitsubishi Motors has implemented since 2000 the CAN-bus network wiring that allows to transmite signal send by ETACS-ECU using the same wire to talk to different devices in the car. It is better to use the services of a Mitsubishi dealer when working with the ETACS-ECU to recognize devices.
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Replying to: batman47 (Sep 01, 2009 12:58 pm) 
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Replying to: comem47 (Sep 01, 2009 1:44 pm) If you buy the front fog light option from a dealership usually the dealer does the reprogramming for free as you found out. However if this is not the case it is most probable that some cost is involved to do the reprogramming. The European/UK stalk switch well implemented will render you’re a car with European standard, i.e. stalk switch front and rear fog functionality in addition to stable side-marker lights to comply with the country regulations. Rattles are unlikely to occur. All the work will happen in the rear bumper wiring harness. The rear fog relay will be housed in the standard relay box in the engine compartment. Mitsubishi dealers most probably will charge you for this service. It is new for us who are usually plain owners of a Mitsubishi car to keep with the advance in electronic and networking in vehicles. In the same way you are able to access and transmit your messages in Edmunds.com using a giant worldwide network the automobile industry is implementing its own controlled area network (CAN) to be used exclusively by car manufacturers. This approach has allowed car manufacturers to reduce and simplify considerably the amount of wiring (and weight) to operate all the devices in the car from electrical windows to ABS. The ETACS-ECU is the brain of this network and directs signals usually using the same wire to instruct different devices to take action. This is the main reason for reprogramming the ECU as this is the way to access this brain to tell it that a new device has been incorporated or a new functionality is required. Although this may appear bizarre, it is what our kids are going to deal with and confront in the near future.
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Replying to: batman47 (Sep 02, 2009 12:36 pm) This is not true!. Checking the electrical circuit of the US Outlander the rear fog light relay is already in the ETACS-ECU box which is below the driver instrument dash (left wall). |
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So, you're doing this mod?
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Replying to: rcpax (Oct 01, 2009 7:38 am) Please visit: Rear fog light progress (no soldering, no cutting, and no drilling) at: http://www.mitsubishiforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25038&highlight=batman&pag- e=4 I spent some time reading the electrical circuit of the ETACS-ECU of the European Outlander and the ETACS-ECU of the US Outlander as well as the Tailgate Control Circuit. I found out that that there are better ways to add rear fog light and side marker functionality to the US Outlander. The solution that I will explain fully with diagram rests in plugging and unplugging connectors into the “rear bumper harness” and “rear end wiring harness”. This approach is clever. This solution came about after studying carefully the electrical circuits that control the functionally of these lights in both models (European and US). Waiting at the moment for some part# to arrive. I would like to have your appreciation about this contribution. |
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