Green light on speedo if parking lights only on one side?

[jared_s]

This is about a 1988 G50.

I was going through the owner's manual and testing things related to the headlights to make sure it's wired correctly.

The manual says this:



What actually happens is that when the headlight _knob_ is pulled out part way, the green light goes on, as well as parking lights on both sides. So everything appears functional.

But when the ignition is off and the turn signal lever is up or down, and it turns on the parking lights on only one side, then the green light is not on.

Is this normal and the wording in the manual is ambiguous? Or is something mis-wired?

I have studied a wiring diagram in the Bentley manual and also looked at a picture of the headlight switch connectors that I found online, and I can't find anything obviously wrong, but nothing seems to match quite exactly, so I'm not completely sure.

[aus911]

Hi jared_s,
Your description is how mine works, but I have a 1975, and it seems right!

Cheers
Ray

[svlTarga]

That is how they are intended. In Germany at the time (don't know if still true) you only put the parking lights on for the side facing the street when you are parked on the street.

[targa80]

I believe this is a night time safety feature of the parking light/directional system for use on very narrow streets. If you park on the right side you would leave the left directional indicator switch on with the engine off this turns on the left side parking lights. You would do the reverse if parked on the left side of road.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by targa80

I believe this is a night time safety feature of the parking light/directional system for use on very narrow streets. If you park on the right side you would leave the left directional indicator switch on with the engine off this turns on the left side parking lights. You would do the reverse if parked on the left side of road.

This. With just the front and rear parking light on, little draw on the battery. No need to have the green light on to remind you you are driving with no headlights, just the parking light on since you are likely out of the car when it is parked.

On many occasions over the years I have returned to my car in the parking lot and found one side or the other lights on because I was using my turn signals as I pulled into a space and the steering wheel was still turned. No big deal.

[jared_s]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

This. With just the front and rear parking light on, little draw on the battery. No need to have the green light on to remind you you are driving with no headlights, just the parking light on since you are likely out of the car when it is parked.

Thank you, this makes sense.