1973 911 Parking Light/Indicator/Turn Signal

[Strictly]

Im a little confused on this one.

I have a '73 911 (UK/RHD)

Q1 - parking light

The parking light - is it supposed to work like this - ignition off, indicator on (L or R) the rear tailight comes on, and the rear sidelight inside the headlight comes on?

Q2 - repro front indicator - 2 wires?

Ok moving on - to the indicator - do you only need one wire for the indicator (excluding the earth) or is there a seperate wire for the hazard feed to the indicator.

As i understand you only need 1 wire for the indicator - i think the hazard is controlled through the indicator relay. A look in the haynes manual confirms this.

If so then this repro wiring really confuses me (no surprise i suppose!), as this turn signal (see pic below) has two contacts for the indicator (red and black)!

I dont get the red wire...separate feed for the hazards? Or is the second wire supposed to be for US spec parking light which is through the indicator, and not the headlight as in europe?? That could explain it - but then surely on US cars, the parking light would be through the white/clear part of the indicator lens...

As i under stand the wiring in the pic below.

Green - earth through cluster (metal)
black - indicator (dual bulb)
red - ? also indicator - and side marker - seperate feed for hazard or US parking light??

I might just drop the red wire and fit the a single filament bulb, just cut the red...!

[Ian 2.2S]

Hi, don't think you should have parking light in headlight (that was 74 on).

Sidelight should be clear part of indicator/sidelight unit with a small single filament bulb fed by grey/red wire (if I can read diagram correctly), indicator is black/white and again single filament, earth is brown. Can you show a photo of where the copper terminals connect to on the back of the housing as I don't have one to look at.

HTH. Ian

[Strictly]

Hi Ian,

ah ok. Thanks for that. I can probally move the side light from the headlight to the indicator housing. Sadly under the clear section of the lens, there is no sidelight connection - typical repro junk, i can drill and modify, as i'd like to put it right. Glad i asked =) I guess the orginal system was H1 and the H4 headlights are wired different for the side lights.

That still leaves the puzzle of the red wire - maybe the US had a different side light system (i.e through the indicator) and this repro lens housing is for the whole world. In any case, I can ignore it, and just use the black.

Luke

[Ian 2.2S]

Hi Luke,
here is a repro plastic unit from Design 911 (just about) showing side light holder. However, they do sell a metal version and say that it doesn't include the side light holder and you have to modify it, so it seems a common problem. I think the current set up on yours is for a US style lighing with side marker. Do you need to remove the brass bus bar? Ian

[Strictly]

Hi Ian,

ah thanks for that, that clears it up. The funny thing is, I bought the metal one thinking it would be better
now I know either go for the plastic ones or even better the OEM ones.

Ive modified it now, the car came with no indicators, so I had no reference point.

A special thanks Ian, you have been a great help =)

Luke

[alanjf]

Hi All,

This is a really useful thread. My 69E is a U.S. Import with the sidelight in the headlamp and just yellow indicator lenses. The wiring has been butchered to fit some really cool blue xenon headlamps - horrible stuff the lot of it, so I am ready to start again. Can anyone confirm if all pre 74 cars did not have their sidelights in the headlamps? If anyone has a good wiring diagram for the lights at the front that would be great.

Alan

[Lightweight_911]

Hi All,

Can anyone confirm if all pre 74 cars did not have their sidelights in the headlamps?

Alan

'65-'73 UK/Euro cars all had combined sidelight/indicator units so they had no need for a 'pilot' light in the headlamp.

[210bhp]

Hi All,

Can anyone confirm if all pre 74 cars did not have their sidelights in the headlamps?

Alan

'65-'73 UK/Euro cars all had combined sidelight/indicator units so they had no need for a 'pilot' light in the headlamp.

Commonly known as 'city' lights in US cars.

Regards
Mike

[alanjf]

Thanks All, I was hoping I might be able to just change the lenses over but it looks like I need complete units if I am going to the pre 73 Euro spec. Alan

[Strictly]

Thanks All, I was hoping I might be able to just change the lenses over but it looks like I need complete units if I am going to the pre 73 Euro spec. Alan

Ah dont worry. You can just drill the hole for sidelight on the housing, insert a foil (or steel) separator to comparmentalize the white light, and then fit a bulb and holder (use the bulb holder from the headlights), no need to buy new housings, just the lenses.

If your light housing is metal, then the bulb holder will earth/ground on its outside, and you just need to run a wire to the bulb, if its not allready there.

I'll post a picture of what I have done, so you have a better idea. I will never buy those repro lights ever again, but i did make them work, as supposed to in the end.

[Ian 2.2S]

I am thinking about ordering a pair of these to replace side light fitting in laddo's Mini Clubman, if we can't repair existing. Decent company local to me, has most wiring stuff.
Would probably do your side light, just by drilling right sized hole. Normally fitted in headlight reflector/shell. HTH. Ian
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/p ... -headlamps