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Rear Fog Light: A tricky subject

22 messages,  Last post on Oct 01, 2009 at 11:53 AM

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#16 of 22 Re: Rear fog light in USA Outlander [batman47] by comem47 Sep 01, 2009 (10:11 am)
Replying to: batman47 (Sep 01, 2009 9:02 am) But why the European stalk? If you get the factory US fog light package you already have a fog light stalk. I suppose one could also add a switch in series to the rear to disable the rear bulb from coming on with the front fog lights for more flexibility. (I added the factory fog light kit to my LS that was not originally equipped with fogs) I purchased it from an internet Mitsubishi parts dealer and saved some $, albeit more work) Replies to this message: batman47 (Sep 01, 2009 12:58 pm) comem47 (Sep 01, 2009 1:44 pm) batman47 (Sep 02, 2009 12:36 pm) and 1 more...
#17 of 22 Re: Rear fog light in USA Outlander [comem47] by batman47 Sep 01, 2009 (12:58 pm)
Replying to: comem47 (Sep 01, 2009 10:11 am) The American stalk switch (stalk sold only with the front fog light options) has only the front fog light mechanism as well as the respective front fog light icon scribbled on it. As explained in my previous contribution the functionality of this front fog light is only possible when the ETACS-ECU is reprogrammed by a Mitsubishi dealership.   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. Replies to this message: comem47 (Sep 01, 2009 1:44 pm) batman47 (Sep 02, 2009 12:36 pm) batman47 (Oct 01, 2009 12:28 am)
#18 of 22 Re: Rear fog light in USA Outlander [batman47] by comem47 Sep 01, 2009 (1:44 pm)
Replying to: batman47 (Sep 01, 2009 12:58 pm) Well if I were to implement rear fog lights I wouldn't go through the complexity or expense of all you outlined for the added step on the light stalk. You can't get much simpler than a switch (or tie into the existing fog lights if you have them). I thought it bizarre that my fog lights needed to be "programmed", but the dealer did it for free since Mitsubishi's instructions for the user to program the factory light kit themselves by opening and closing the door when the key is activated doesn't work. Mitsubishi doesn't believe in the KISS principle I guess . (who needs to computer activate the lights when the stalk switch could have directly activated a relay?) I guess it's a way of complicating things to force you to the dealer and add one more point of failure. Replies to this message: batman47 (Sep 02, 2009 12:36 pm) batman47 (Oct 01, 2009 12:28 am)
#19 of 22 Re: Rear fog light in USA Outlander [comem47] by batman47 Sep 02, 2009 (12:36 pm)
Replying to: comem47 (Sep 01, 2009 1:44 pm) It is up to you to choose what method to use. As I said the button switch approach is the simplest. This method doesn’t need to the ETACS-ECU to be re-programmed, there is no need to buy the European/UK stalk switch and indeed there is no need to buy the option front fog light kit ($300). The disadvantage is that this option (button switch) needs a long wire to be run under the vehicle’s carpet floor to reach the switch button and relay near the instrumentation cluster. Certainly the switch button must fix neatly into one of the dummy switch buttons in this area. This has the inconvenience that some floor carpet fasteners may be damaged or worse that the wire touches the metal structure and produces unwanted rattle. The relay dimension is about 1” x 1” x 1” and it needs to be fixed properly under the instrument cluster otherwise you will have rattles. Some wires under the instrumentation cluster have to be soldered or detached from the factory standard wire harness and it is usually never put back again as it was before.   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. Replies to this message: batman47 (Oct 01, 2009 12:28 am)
#20 of 22 Re: Rear fog light in USA Outlander [batman47] by batman47 Oct 01, 2009 (12:28 am)
Replying to: batman47 (Sep 02, 2009 12:36 pm) The rear fog relay will be housed in the standard relay box in the engine compartment   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).
#21 of 22 rear fog by rcpax Oct 01, 2009 (7:38 am)
So, you're doing this mod? Replies to this message: batman47 (Oct 01, 2009 11:53 am)
#22 of 22 Re: rear fog [rcpax] by batman47 Oct 01, 2009 (11:53 am)
Replying to: rcpax (Oct 01, 2009 7:38 am) Hi rcpax,   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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