Clock light always ON-Is this normal?
 

I notice that the VDO clock in my center console has the light on all the time, while the other gauges only light up when the parking lights are switched on. Was it designed this way?

I checked the schematics, which indicate the power to the center gauge lights (black & blue wire) all tie back to the light switch. So I can't figure out why this condition should exist. The two other connections (brn & blk wires) on the clock are correct (per schematic).

Any insights welcome. Regards,


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Gerard
74-914 2.0L
3D914
rodrigos6@juno.com

If you dont like it you can allways rewire it back into the light switch. or make it draw off the power from a guage next to it so they all light up alike. as long as it dont stay lit without the key in the on posistion youll be fine.

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Sweet Blue 72' 914
Check it out at
http://www.geocities.com/eat_um_up/914.html

Check the wires going to the bulb. There's a good chance one of them is not black-with-blue-stripe. They're not all that hard to switch around.

Or it's possible that the correct wire has been hooked up to something else.

It's a small drain on your battery, but it is a drain...

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

Sounds like either someone switched the two 12v wires to your clock (one is switched and one is constant 12v) or they tapped into the constant 12v wire to keep the clock running for the light source. If your clock does not keep correct time, I would bet the former has occurred.

the same thing happened to me last week putting the final touches on my restoration. Disconnect both wires from the clock, get a test light, test both wires with the head light switch off. Only one wire should be hot, that is the wire for the clock mechanism. Turn the headlamp switch on, test the other wire, it should be hot only when the headlamp switch is on; this is the wire for the illumination light. Remember, the illum lights only work when grounded into the socket.

Hope this helps.



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Mark Howard
'88 Carrera
'62 356/B
'75 914 1.8 resto