Howdy Everyone! I am looking for the switch from a Japanese/European 240Z that allowed the side markers one each side of the car to operate independantly. The working condition of the switch is not important, but its cosmetic appearance is! Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!

Will

Huh?

Speaking of Jap/Euro lights, check out these on ebay:

Euro Tail Lights

Would be perfect for the euro/jap look. I know the seller too, he's a real decent guy.:classic:

Will:

The switch you are referring to, as far as I know, was only available in JDM cars. Additionally, only the Series I as we label them in the US had the opening in the center console to accept the switch.

Additionally, the wiring does not support the switch, as that extra light had it's own wiring for both the front and back as well as the sides.

The attached picture shows you what the switch looks like. I was able to find one from Japan, and they are somewhat rare there also.

The tail-lights do have the extra hole for the light. It is normally plugged with a rubber plug that goes between the two bulbs in the upper half. I was not able to find the bulb holder that goes in there, but have been told that the multiple compressible prong type or rubber base would work. I did find a replacement side marker light from an early GM vehicle COULD be made to fit by notching the hole in the light housing.

The front parking lamp housing doesn't have the hole, or at least my car didn't. It is possible that true blue early Series I front parking lamp housings DID have the hole also plugged with a rubber cap. There is a flat spot, however, where one could be drilled and installed.

I've been told that these bulbs were only 5W bulbs, and were powered independently of the ignition circuit, with only one side being activated at any one time.

The purpose of these lights was a requirement by Japanese Law that required the traffic side of a vehicle to be illuminated at night. Interestingly enough, in Washington State that law still applies on roadways without street lights, although whether it is enforced or not is questionable.

Hope this helps.

Enrique Scanlon

One other note, as far as I recall it didn't operate the SIDE marker lights at all, just the extra bulb in the front and rear parking lights.

Enrique

Originally posted by EScanlon

...............The attached picture shows you what the switch looks like. .........

?????

Thanks for the info Enrique. I knew I would have to add a cutout to the console, and that the car would not have what I need to make the lights work. I also knew what the lights were for, but not exactly how they worked.

I have other plans for the switch that mean it must look new, but does not have to work.

Thanks again for the info,

Will

Darn, the original post did not accept the picture and I didn't get an error message.

Here it is again.

If anyone ever has one of these switches for sale then please drop me a pm. Thanks.

Thanks for shedding the light on that switch. I was wondering myself why I have a blank plate in my centre console, and also the bung in the rear cluster. Did the US model have similar bungs or only RHD models?

Was there also a lamp in that circuit to let you know that the lights were on?

Thanks for shedding the light on that switch. I was wondering myself why I have a blank plate in my centre console, and also the bung in the rear cluster. Did the US model have similar bungs or only RHD models?

Was there also a lamp in that circuit to let you know that the lights were on?

Late reply.

Don't know about the indicator light, although it wouldn't be difficult to cross connect a low voltage LED (to duplicate the circuitry in a light switch).

I recently got a look at an early "Series II" console. The plaque that is behind the ash tray in later consoles only had a Z on it. Earlier ones had indentations on that plaque that appeared could be opened up to accept switches. Since all I got was a look and not a disassembly I can't answer that.

As far as the opening in the tail-light housing, every 240 light I've worked with has had that plug in there. Typically they are a grayish putty color with a raised letter P in the center of the plug.

Hope this helps.

Enrique

It's such a simple double rocker switch, there is probably one the same size or close to it that could be modified out there, but finding the right supplier could be the problem.

Edit:

Enrique, what are the measurements for the switch? Nevermind, I guess I could just get my lazy butt up out of my chair and measure the hole on my console plate. Gary

YeeeHaaaw and Hot Damn!

I got me one, and then Some!!!

Just waiting on USPS priority mail!

Will

PS, I am looking for one more....