11 replies to this topic

[4V8s]

might sound a silly question, but I just bought a 97 cooper (non sportpack) and the extra lights have been removed as they are broken. I want to replace them, the brackets are there and the wiring, but I cant work out what they should be.

Are they driving lights, fog lights or spot lights?

I dont have a switch in the centre dash for front fogs, just for rear. So should they be fogs and come on at same time as rear ones using the same switch? or are they spots that come on, say, on full beam? What are driving lights anyway? do they run with the dipped beam?

thanks

[AVV IT]

I seem to recall that the outer two were fogs, and the inner two were spots/driving lamps. Personally I'd wire all four in as auxillary driving/spot lamps, as the outer lamps were mounted too high and too central to be effective as fog lamps anyway.

Driving/spot lamps are essentially extra main beams and need to be wired to switch off when you switch back to dipped beam, to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Edited by AVV IT, 17 January 2013 - 08:44 PM.

[nev_payne]

If there's no front fog light switch then it's a custom job with all 4 spots coming on with high-beams. The 4-bank factory setup is 2-outer fog lights and 2 central high-beam driving lights.

If it's just 2 extras in front of the grille, then they're both high-beam driving lights

Edited by nev_payne, 17 January 2013 - 08:45 PM.

[4V8s]

sorry yeah its not had 4 lights infront of grille - just the two outer ones like all late coopers have / had. Just cant work out what they should be. It hasnt been modified from factory in any way, they will have been as original.

sounds like from your replies they would not be fogs but driving lights and that spot lamps are the same thing as driving lights?

thanks

[AVV IT]

Yes good point, I think the mainstream cooper just had two lamps, it was only the sportspack models that had four.....and yes spot lamps and driving lamps are the same thing.

[iMurray]

highbeam driving lamps... click towards you on left stalk

[garrymacmini]

High Beam lamps!

[4V8s]

thanks all, have now ordered the right sort of replacements. Makes sense so thanks for your answers.

[salient]

Just been reading this forum. On the sportspack were the outer fog lights diffuse lenses and the inner spots lights clear? Or were they all the same?

[roblightbody]

might sound a silly question, but I just bought a 97 cooper (non sportpack) and the extra lights have been removed as they are broken. I want to replace them, the brackets are there and the wiring, but I cant work out what they should be.

Are they driving lights, fog lights or spot lights?

I dont have a switch in the centre dash for front fogs, just for rear. So should they be fogs and come on at same time as rear ones using the same switch? or are they spots that come on, say, on full beam? What are driving lights anyway? do they run with the dipped beam?

thanks

As others have said above, only the sportspack had 4 lamps.

Sportspack - outside were fogs, inner were spots (main beam).
Non-Sportspack - outside were spots (main beam), no inners.

Fogs operated by 5th dashboard switch in the middle of the dash (where headlight switch was on earlier cars)

[Aria Aradhea]

I seem to recall that the 1996 Cooper 30 SE had 4 spot/driving lamps across the grille. Also the Top Gear/ Jeremy Clarkson-reviewed 1994 SPi against a FIAT Cinquecento had 4 spots as well and not a 2-fog+2-spot combo. So, 4 spots have been used by Rover since before the Sportspack. However, I'm not sure about the switching arrangement of the lamps. Would be very interesting to know...

[brivinci]

Yep!!! My 94 was the first Rover to come with 4 lights across the front. The Monte Carlo LE has factory 4 with the outer two being the fogs and the inner being spot lamps. Rover mounted the fog switch on the dash, next to the clock.

It is very common knowledge that the placement of the fogs makes them not very effective as fog lamps. After an accident, I replaced my fogs with spots. I am in the US and my area doesnt get much fog so I prefer the added vision. Also, because I dont need to go through any inspections, my outer spots (old fogs) come on with the lows but stay on with the highs as well so I have 6 lights strong with the high beams. Lovely!