Parking Lights

I just had some electrical work done on my 87 328, but when I got the car back, the steering column mounted light switch no longer turns the parking lights on. If I understand correctly, when you twist the switch the parking lights and all interior lights should come on, even if the parking light toggle switch on the console is turned off.

When I turn flip the toggle switch for the parking lights on the console, the parking lights and interior lights come on. I'm not sure why there are two ways to turn on the parking lights?

In any event, any ideas why the steering column switch will not turn the parking lights on, but they work just fine with the console toggle? The steering column switch turns the headlights on just fine (normal and bright).

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Have you checked fuse #16? (Turning on the parking lights via the stalk knob uses fuse #16; turning them on with the parking light switch uses fuse #4.)

 

Thanks Steve. While I was checking the fuses, I happened to touch the exterior lights relay and it was warm. When I looked closer, the parking lights relay had been switched with another. When I switched them back, it works perfectly! Now the parking light toggle on the console only turns the front and rear parking lights on (no interior lights), and when I turn the light switch on the steering column, all the exterior lights and interior lights come on.

 

Glad you got it sorted -- nothing good ever happens when relays are in the wrong places

 

If you have access to a labelmaker, I find it helpful to make a label for each relay as to function. And also maintain a large diagram/map of the relays inside the console cover together with the fuse diagram/map. You could even label them for position, A B C etc.

If you don't have a labelmaker, the Brother PT-65 is often on sale at Staples for $10 or so. The lablemaker is like a computer printer, they could give them away and get profit from the reuseable supplies needed.

 

Translation issue.

The stalk operates the "running lights" -- several bulbs on each corner, side markers, instrument lights, etc, etc, etc.

The console operates the "parking lights" --- one bulb on each corner. A lower battery drain way to light the car when parking on a dark road.


Also, on a US model, be careful how the relay panel is installed after being removed.
Due to US regulations, on the US models, the fog lights are run off the same running lights circuit --- and the whole 20A runs though tiny little pin J3 on the fuse/relay panel.
Because of the two fat wires connected into the J3 plug, when the board gets stuffed up into position, those wires can pull the pin sideways a bit, reducing the metal contact area. If that happens, the pin will heat and melt the plastic shell.
When that happens, you lose the running lights, and have only the parking lights from either console switch or stalk.
That's happened to mine twice in the 10 years I've had it --- both times after having electrical work done.

 

Thanks to all. Great information and clarification. Much appreciated

 

One last bit to the saga. I thought I had everything working and realized the rear defrost now didn't work. After another post and some more feedback, it turns out the relay the shop switched out was for the window lift motors (which share with the rear defrost) and it apparently wasn't just warm, but completely gone as my windows didn't work either (hadn't even tried to use them until someone mentioned the defrost shared a relay and fuse with the window lifts). I switched the bad window lift relay with one I knew was good and NOW everything is working perfect...hopefully!

Thanks again

 

Few Americans know that in England and other Euro countries, when one parks on a country road, they must have parking lights on after dark. Some cars so required are equipped with parking lights on one side only to save juice...others simply used a paucity of lights.

These country roads typically are narrow windy roads without overhead lights or lane markings, simply asphalted carriage lanes. Birth of the English sports car as these roads are super fun driving.

 

I was going to call the parking lights the predecessor to "four way flashers", but (while I haven't measured it), I'd guess the "parking lights" use less current than the flashers.

Fewer heat/cool cycles on the incandescent bulbs, too.