Japanese/European Marker light switch

[DJACEY(UK)]

Well done Will. I missed ths one. You want another one ! Now that's just plain greedy - or are you planning to send it to me perhaps ? Dave

[hls30.com]

There are two variations of these, one for the series 1 cars and the one I am waiting on that fits the series 2 fuse box lid-I want to make molds of both...

Will

I am greedy, but for ALL of us!

[DJACEY(UK)]

I never knew that. Thought there was only one type of double rocker on the Series 1 centre console. Thanks for the good work Will. Let me know if you're able to replicate. Regards, Dave

[DJACEY(UK)]

EScanlon,

Refering to one of your earlier replys.

Where/what is 'The front parking lamp housing.........' ? is this part of the headlamp ?

Dave

[EScanlon]

Dave:

I had to refer back to remember...I was referring to the Turn Signal / Parking Lamp (aka Driving Lamp) housing.

Since this was posted (3-10-2004), I have acquired a pair of the JDM Front Turn Signal Housings which is what I was referring to there.

There are some distinct differences in both the HOUSING and the LENS.

I've got them put away for now, so pictures will have to come later.

But I'll describe the differences:

Where the "standard" U.S. market Front Marker Light, the one that mounts below the bumper and the sugar scoop, has a single compartment housing and lens, the JDM has TWO compartments. One is wider than the other, and both have reflectors with their own independent bulbs. There is a distinct line noticeable in both the Lens and the internal shield separating the two compartments. This is undoubtedly to prevent either bulb from lighting the whole lens.

One bulb is a Dual Filament (1157 style: Bayonet with offset pins) and the other is a Single filament (1156: Bayonet w/out offset pins). The connector on these instead of being the standard Spade connector, is now a 4-PIN connector with a rubber boot, similar to those you find in the later years cars (Late 73 and Up as far as U.S. market). U.S. market lights have a SINGLE DUAL FILAMENT bulb, although the back of the housing shows the molded in contour for the second bulb.

Hope that answer your questions.

Enrique

[DJACEY(UK)]

Something else I've learnt. Thanks for the explanation.

[hls30.com]

This is one of those mysterious things that has made me go HMMMM!

Thanks Enrique!

Will

[sakijo]

The purpose of these lights was a requirement by Japanese Law that required the traffic side of a vehicle to be illuminated at night. 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 Scanlon

OK. This explains why I have a pull-switch marked with a "P" in my dashboard. It only lights up the front parking lights and the rear tail lights. There are two bulbs in the front parking lights (one small bayonet type and one normal dual fillament type) but no extra bulbs in the tail light housing.

The side marker lights on JDM cars is actually a turn signal indicator and it does not light up like US spec cars. I am told that it is there for the benefit of motorcycle and moped riders who normally ride between the cars and the curb. It lets them know that you intend to turn (usually left) and that they should back off.

[EScanlon]

Miles:

Boy does that shed some interesting points to the lighting differences. There are various members who WANT to turn their side marker lights to turn signal use as well. Unfortunately, I ~believe~ that US-DOT requires the side marker lights as continuous and not just turn signal use.

E

[Arne]

Unfortunately, I ~believe~ that US-DOT requires the side marker lights as continuous and not just turn signal use.

Close, but not quite spot on. The DOT does want them to run as markers during normal use, but will allow them to flash with the turn signals as well, as long as the normal operation is good too. Take a look at this link for details - I will probably try this on my 240Z when I get it closer to finished:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/markerflash/markerflash.html

[EScanlon]

Arne, you said it better.

One point though, although the Daniel Stern lighting suggestions are generally good, they're not ALWAYS correct. His Relay upgrade schematic won't work on the Z's wiring, as was evidenced by one member not long ago. I saw the blinking side marker schematic and Gary was thinking of trying it and we just never got around to doing it, so I still don't know if it's viable.

E

[Arne]

You're right, his stuff needs to be looked at closely when dealing with cars with eccentric wiring like ours. The Datsun practice of switching the ground for the headlights at the switch rather than the power is... ahh... shall we say, unusual?

But I have made initial tests on the marker-blink set up and it looks like it will work on our Zs. Plus I found references to other folks doing this on 510s and Roadsters as well. Below is a link to a PDF of the Dime Quarterly which outlines this on page 7.

http://dimequarterly.tierranet.com/dq/dq_1_1.pdf