Hi,

 

I have a slight problem with my sidelights, the ones with the indicators nearest the wheels.

 

When I have my headlights on and turn on my indicators the sidelights illuminate, and stay on although they don't flash with the indicators, and when the indicator goes off so does the sidelight! The sidelights don't come on with indicators when I have the headlights turned off!

 

Its confused me just explaining it!

 

Mark

could be a bad earth, check all connections at the lights, do they come on as normal or kinda dim?

No they come on as Normal, I presume they are individually earthed on each side, does anyone know?

They may well not be earthed 'locally' but through the loom.

 

Do both sides have the same behaviour ? And do the rear side lights do the same thing. This should tell you whether it's the earth or the live feed. If it's the earth then the problem will probably be limited to the front. If the problem is at both ends then it's probably the live. You could try adding an additional temporary earth at the indicator and sidelight bulbs to see if it solves the problem. Try each bulb individually and then both together. If one or more of these combinations works then it will help with clues for finding the problem.

 

Another thing is to check the quality of connection at the bulb fittings. Electricity does some weird stuff when there are dirty connections !

 

Failing that, I would suggest you look carefully for an area where wires have melted. Check the rear light clusters as well as the front and then follow the wiring back.

 

If you do solve the problem with the temporary earth, you should still try to locate the problem rather than adding the extra earth permanently. It's possible that other areas of wiring could get affected and there's two benefits to finding the problem : (1) you currently have an easily identifiable problem as opposed to something like an odd misfire on full boost above 120 mph and (2) there's a risk of fire if there's some sort of shorting going on.

 

Good luck !

 

Dave

 

P.S. Craig, if you're reading this, did you suss your electrical problem ?

Mark,

Have you always had this or has something changed recently ? This must be on an import, right ? Because I think the lights you're describing are the daytime running lights. In mine I think the bulbs had been removed or a wire cut.

I have a'93 import. When the lights are on, and you indicate the same side front "kerb light" comes on. This is supposed to do this, I have had soarers do the same. Is that what you mean? OR do you have a mix up with the wires in thais area maybe?

Further, your side lights are in the front fog lights, which are further towards the middle of the car.

Hi

 

The rear sidelights work fine, the front sidelights did used to come on as sidelights as well as the sidelights in the fogs.

The do sound like the kerb lights you are talking about but since they used to function as sidelights I would like to restore that option?

 

Mark

Hi Mark,

 

It's been a long time since we last spoke or seen each other. First of all, best wishes for 2003 from Fiona and myself.

 

Right, now for you problematic lights ... the way you describe what is happening sounds exactly like what most big American cars have ... kerb illuminators. My dad's Caddilac Seville STS does exactly the same - indicate and the side light goes on illuminating the kerb on the side to which you are indicating. This is something that is "normal" on American cars and as was stated earlier, some Lexus models and other Japanese cars have it as well. Although I've never come across it before on a Zed, it is quite interesting to see the little differences in kit/accessories.

 

Anyway, don't think it is something to worry about. If you want to change it, cut the wiring and splice it into the dipped beam wiring - I did this on my car and it works great - lovely sided lights when you turn the lights on - just remember to change the bulbs in the front ones as these would be too bright for regular side light operation - if you catch my drift.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Regards mate,

 

Danny

The kerb lights are NOT the side lights, at least on mine they are not, they are a seperate unit. As I said earlier, my side lights are in the same unit as the front fogs.