S70 Single to Dual Rear Fog Light Conversion

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ccr

Just wondering if anyone else finds it strange that Volvo provides on some
models a single extra red tail light controlled by a dash switch and called
a rear fog light, on the left side only. My mechanic suggests just ignoring
this feature (and never switching it on) to avoid being stopped by police
who may believe they see a light burned out on the other side. I would like
a more symmetrical appearance. I find that there is a three-socket circuit
board on the right side just like the one on the left, and that the extra
socket is already wired in to the rear fog light switch. The only apparent
problem is that there is no hole in the lens assembly corresponding to this
socket. If I can carefully cut an opening here, is there any reason this
should not be attempted? Has anyone else done this?
 
ccr said:
Just wondering if anyone else finds it strange that Volvo provides on some
models a single extra red tail light controlled by a dash switch and called
a rear fog light, on the left side only. My mechanic suggests just ignoring
this feature (and never switching it on) to avoid being stopped by police
who may believe they see a light burned out on the other side. I would like
a more symmetrical appearance. I find that there is a three-socket circuit
board on the right side just like the one on the left, and that the extra
socket is already wired in to the rear fog light switch. The only apparent
problem is that there is no hole in the lens assembly corresponding to this
socket. If I can carefully cut an opening here, is there any reason this
should not be attempted? Has anyone else done this?
Click to expand...

Older Volvos (and many other European cars) had two rear foglights, however
the later ones changed to a single one to prevent confusion with the brake
lights. Personally I think having just one does little or nothing to prevent
confusion, just looks like one brakelight is burned out, you should have no
problem converting it to both sides though, just carefully cut an opening
for the socket.
 
ccr said:
Just wondering if anyone else finds it strange that Volvo provides on some
models a single extra red tail light controlled by a dash switch and called
a rear fog light, on the left side only. My mechanic suggests just ignoring
this feature (and never switching it on) to avoid being stopped by police
who may believe they see a light burned out on the other side. I would like
a more symmetrical appearance. I find that there is a three-socket circuit
board on the right side just like the one on the left, and that the extra
socket is already wired in to the rear fog light switch. The only apparent
problem is that there is no hole in the lens assembly corresponding to this
socket. If I can carefully cut an opening here, is there any reason this
should not be attempted? Has anyone else done this?
Click to expand...

The fog light package I had installed on my 2000 S-40 includeds an
extra-bright tail light that can be switched on separately from the front
fog lights. I use it as extra protection in fog, or in heavy rain or snow.
I understand that this bright rear light is common in Europe.
 
ccr said:
If I can carefully cut an opening here, is there any reason this
should not be attempted? Has anyone else done this?
Click to expand...

I did it and it worked. On some models you need to solder a jumper on
the circuit board also. I also like the symmetric appearance. One
interesting side effect is that if someone is tailgating, turning on two
rear fog lamps will usually make them want to back off. I like that.
 
Stephen M. Henning said:
interesting side effect is that if someone is tailgating, turning on two
rear fog lamps will usually make them want to back off. I like that.
Click to expand...

Having the asymmetric arrangement has an advantage, however. If you
need someone to follow you in the dark, you can turn on the rear fog
light. Even if you both get mixed up in traffic, the driver following
can usually spot you easily.
 
Just wondering if anyone else finds it strange that Volvo provides on some
models a single extra red tail light controlled by a dash switch and called
a rear fog light, on the left side only. My mechanic suggests just ignoring
this feature (and never switching it on) to avoid being stopped by police
who may believe they see a light burned out on the other side. I would like
a more symmetrical appearance. I find that there is a three-socket circuit
board on the right side just like the one on the left, and that the extra
socket is already wired in to the rear fog light switch. The only apparent
problem is that there is no hole in the lens assembly corresponding to this
socket. If I can carefully cut an opening here, is there any reason this
should not be attempted? Has anyone else done this?
Click to expand...

I thought that as well - drilled out the plastic and installed a bulb.
Result = 2 * fog lights at the rear.

Sean
 
Sean Nugent said:
I thought that as well - drilled out the plastic and installed a bulb.
Result = 2 * fog lights at the rear.

Sean
Click to expand...

This has been discussed many times before and usually results in heated
arguments - led by those who believe that one fog lamp is safer than two
since it is less likely to be confused with brake lights. This is apparently
Volvo's stance in deliberately implementing only one rear fog lamp.

My 1999 (UK) V70 was supplied with only the RH fog lamp implemented.
However, the LH fitting had a bulb holder complete with bulb - and the only
reason the bulb didn't light was that there was a short (deliberate) break
in the conductor strip feeding it. I was able to bridge this very easily,
and now have two working fog lamps.

In the UK, it is legal to have either one or two rear fog lamps and, if
there is only one, it has to be on the RH side of the centreline. My wife's
Ford Puma was supplied with two, and my Volvo (Ford!) with only one.
Personally, I don't buy the argument about one being safer - and prefer to
maximise my chances of being *seen* from the rear at the earliest
opportunity.

Cheers,
SS
 
This has been discussed many times before and usually results in heated
arguments - led by those who believe that one fog lamp is safer than two
since it is less likely to be confused with brake lights. This is apparently
Volvo's stance in deliberately implementing only one rear fog lamp.

My 1999 (UK) V70 was supplied with only the RH fog lamp implemented.
However, the LH fitting had a bulb holder complete with bulb - and the only
reason the bulb didn't light was that there was a short (deliberate) break
in the conductor strip feeding it. I was able to bridge this very easily,
and now have two working fog lamps.

In the UK, it is legal to have either one or two rear fog lamps and, if
there is only one, it has to be on the RH side of the centreline. My wife's
Ford Puma was supplied with two, and my Volvo (Ford!) with only one.
Personally, I don't buy the argument about one being safer - and prefer to
maximise my chances of being *seen* from the rear at the earliest
opportunity.

Cheers,
SS
Click to expand...
The issue with two rear fog lights isn't that they will be confused with
brake lights, but that the glare from two lights will mask the lighting
of the brake lights, so that a following driver won't see the brake
lights come on. With only one rear fog light, the following driver
*should* see at least one brake light come on.
That said, I know where you are coming from, and there is definitely a
point in what you say. If the foglight is not integrated into the rear
light cluster near the brake lights, this is not an issue!
Regards,
The Boss


The camshaft timing belt is an abomination spawned by Satan!
 
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