Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello.
I have some problems will the parking lights /side lights .Could some body explain to me how the side lights work with the side light micro switch and the dashboard park switch . The problem i have is that i cant turn the side lights of.
regards Ian.

The quick answer is that this condition can occur if the sidelamp microswitch is sticking in the closed position due to fouling of the switch plunger.

I just figured these out for the Plus 2 with the momentary contact parking light switch, sidelight micro switch, the associated side light relay, and the failsafe headlight system with the headlamp and side light microswitches located on the side of the headlamp vacuum switch. Mine is totally out of the car, which makes it easier to examine.

Is your set-up of this type? I am afraid I would miss-lead you if you have a different design.

Do you have a copy of the workshop manual? There is a pretty complete description of what the circuit(s) are trying to do in the E - Electrical Equipment section, pages as follows:
page 89 - Sidelamps
page 109 sidelamp relay change
page 110 - sidelamp microswitch

If you have further questions let me know. I had to read this one several times to get it.

If you require a new microswitch, I think I have found a correct call-up for the part from US supplier Allied Electric. There were several suppliers in the UK for Burgess microswitches, but there is a ton of models. Going off the part number on mine, this switch has been superseded. Not sure my new one will fit; it is on order and I expect it to arrive in a week. I ordered two to replace the headlamp switch at the same time as they are cheep and figured the replacement may be slightly different thickness, which will effect mounting if they are not both the same.

Here is a link to the one I ordered:

https://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Searc ... E12D18A442

Cheers!

I just was working on the attached sketch and notes in PowerPoint so I could remember how this circuit works.

HTH

Hi .
I have the non fail safe system with the two micro switches working off the passenger side headlamp. After reading your replys the panel switch i have is a three positin not a momentary contact switch .Could this be the problem or are they different swiches for this system.
regards ian

I am not sure on the wrong switch part Ian.

To check if you have a sidelight relay, examine the side of the heater box. On this side of the pond the relay is attached to the right side of the heater. I expect the same on RHD cars as well because otherwise it may interfere with the heater cables. The relay is required for the momentary switch set-up to work.

Glad I asked about your system though, because it can be quite confusing; fail safe vs. conventional, Federal vs. non-Federal, location of micro-switches, etc.

I have only looked carefully at the wiring diagram that pertains to my set-up. I am not aware if other models had a non-momentary switch with no sidelight relay. Perhaps some other folks will post who have your set-up.

Another question for you; did the system work originally or just quit? If it just quit, I would not expect it is a result of the incorrect switch.

Anywho, as just speculation, but if your system is set up with an ordinary single throw single pole switch, I expect the best thing to do would be to remove the switch and figure out if it is working in the expected fashion.

Cheers!