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Lighting Switch Question

Bill Young

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Reference the 3 position lighting switch on the Sprite Mk II. It looks to have a resistor connected between terminal "1" and "2" for the purpose of dimming the turn indicator lamp connected to terminal "P' on the flasher when the switch is on. The connection drawing shows that this resistor is bypassed in the "off" position, allowing the turn indicator lamp to be full brilliance. My question is .. does this switch also bypass the resistor in the "side" position (parking lamps) or only in the "headlights" position?
 
This "turn indicator" lamp dimming feature must not be very effective since no one has responded yet on how it works. The design appears to dim the lamp at night when the headlights are on. I ask if it also dims the lamp when only the parking (side) lamps are on. Thanks
 
As I am preparing electrical diagrams in "ladder logic" format for the various Healey models for publication in the Healey Marque, I am try to be sure I don't have too many errors... For the Sprite Mk II & III, I am going to assume that the lighting switch dims the turn indicator lamp in the "headlight" position only. I have attached the diagram for comment. Cheers.
 

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  • Square Body Sprite WD rev B.jpg.jpg
    Square Body Sprite WD rev B.jpg.jpg
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I have a Sprite IV. It appears they did away with the dimmable turn signal feature, as my turn signal indicators stay at full bright, whether the headlights are on or off. So, it appears even BMC realized this was really an unnecessary feature. Rigging it up to sit works might be more trouble than it's worth.

On my IV, I did the LED lighting upgrade, both internally and externally. I figure the lower power draw with LEDs is one less "rock in the rowboat" for the generator to deal with. The brighter likes actually make the gauges legible at night, and the brighter external lights are definitely a safety improvement.
 
I have a Mk3 Sprite and a Mk2 Midget and am not aware of a resistor in this location. Don't have a Bentley at hand right now but will check for a resistor that I may have overlooked. The only dimming feature that would make sense would be for the indicators on the dash.

Kurt
 
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