retro fitting front fog lights

[vegas602]

I have a 2007 MY that came without front foglights, just having the recesses in the spoiler blanked off. Im not that bothered about the looks, but living in a very rural area with little street lighting, they would be useful. There seems to be plenty of s type fog lights for sale, as are the original switches for the car. Can anyone tell me if this is a straight forward process before I buy the parts or if there are any problems doing it please? Phil

[J44EAG]

You should find the appropriate cables and plugs behind the blanks at the front of the car onto which the appropriate light units may be fitted. That is the easy bit.

Once that is done, you need to find the appropriate cables within the car, source the switch gear, relays and determine the fuse location.

I`ve lower valence lamps on my V8. Quite frankly, I`ve found them a total waste of time in the fog. Perhaps others could comment on whether such lamps are worth having?

Mike

[oldtimer]

Hi Mike.
Could'nt agree more,lower lights are a waste of time.
Whats more I get cross with those folks that have four lights on in the middle of the day - what for !
Don't get me going on about fog lights on when there is a million miles of visabity

There- I feel better for that
Oldtimer

[oldtimer]

PS
Rear Fog lights that is

[vegas602]

Hi Guys, perhaps I wont bother then! Ive had to pay for repairs to a broken fog light on the last couple of cars ive had, so I wasent too fussed about this one not having them. Having said that, The Fens rural roads are pretty much devoid of lighting where we are, so I thought it would be quite useful- maybe not. regards, Phil

[J44EAG]

Hi Phil,

If you are having lighting issues, why not uprate your dipped beam lamps.

Many of us have installed after market lamps which can easily be obtained from local motoring stores. They are road legal and draw no more power than the standard lamps but there can be a noticeable increase in Lux density and therefore brightness.

I have a pair of Halfords Extreme Brilliance dipped beam lamps fitted and they do everything it says on the box. I`m well pleased with them. Normal price is around £23 a pair but Halfords occasionally have deals on which can lower the price.

There are several other alternative manufacturers producing similar items. Phillips make a similar product to the Halfords items. There are loads of lamps available on ebay also.

Fitting has always been a slight issue on S-types where working space around the back of the headlight units is limited. For the near side unit, I suggest you remove the air filter box which helps considerably. The wire lock clips can be a fiddle to remove and re-install, so taking the airbox out will help you to see and facilitate a lamp change in that area. I suggest the near side unit is tackled first to give some practice with fitment of new lamps.

The off side lamp is rather more difficult as the ABS manifold block and pipes cause a rather big obstruction. You will need a pair of long nosed pliers and a long thin flat blade screw driver to tweak the wire clips and recover the old lamp and fit the new. If you have thick wrists then that can be a problem. Really you need a six year old child with thin arms to help out! Perhaps a grand child could assist? Believe me when I say that void space behind the headlights is tight!!

Changing those headlight lamps is well worth the effort but the job is not easy and you will be cussing like fury at the end of the job!! It really is one of the S-type models hidden nasties as far as maintenance is concerned. Certainly uprated lamps work well and are of vastly more use than the lower fog light units which are in my opinion quite hopeless.

Mike

[oldtimer]

Thanks for that Mike
Regards
Oldtimer

[MCALLISTERABERDOUR]

Hi
Stratstone Jaguar wanted £600 plus VAT for supply and fitting them to my 2004 pre facelift S type. Didn't bother.

Interesting though the opinions of drivers who have them fitted, I thought they would make a big difference and was going to have them fitted by an independant when I sourced second hand lights and a new switch. Reason was I travel up through the borders from Newcastle to Fife regularly at night and it can be a very dark and long road.

John

[vegas602]

Hi Mike, sorry for the delay in responding, Its been a while since ive been on the website. Funnily enough, Ive just fitted some uprated bulbs in the last 2 days (osram Nightbreaker plus) having read a favourable review in Auto Express. Not sure if they are any better yet as last night after a few hours use, the drivers side dipped beam packed up. It may be that i havent pushed the wiring connector fully home and its come off the rear of the bulb-as you said,its a nightmare getting your hands in such a small space.Ill check tomorrow when the weathers better...
On a totally different note, I'd like to fit a 1/2 woodrim steering wheel instead of the standard leather item. I notice there are quite a few genuine secondhand items from breakers, but I have no idea what the trim codes are for the 'wood' and plastic/ leather finish are to get a correct match ( the breakers all seem to be a considerable distance to drive, so I can't just take the jag and compare). Do you know if its written down anywhere? Phil

[J44EAG]

Trim and paint codes can be found on the nearside A post on a plate ie just behind the front wing. However more detailed build details have me stumped.

A Main Dealer may possibly help if you contact one.

Can anyone else help with this query?

Mike

[vegas602]

Hi Mike, just to let you know the upgraded bulbs made a big difference. I had to return the first set (Osrams), one blew within an hour or so's use, so wasent amused having to struggle with the changing of them again (Its by far the worst vehicle Ive ever had to change a bulb on-who on earth designed the layout? I can only assume they dont change their own lightbulbs!). I went for some Phillips extreme bulbs and so far so good- dipped beam (which is where the problem mainly was ) is much better. I had also uprated full beam with the Osrams, which are ok but not sure its that much of a difference.
Phil

[J44EAG]

A good result indeed.

Early cars are a cuss when it comes to lamp changes.

Looking at a 52 plate model M66ooo ish car the other day, access did seem easier.

Mike