Series 3 instrumental panel - ID this bulb please

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25
Location
Surbiton
Hi

7F727EB1-4F6E-45BA-9DEE-BBADCAA5D50F.jpeg
So, over the past month or so, on and off, I’ve been working through replacing loose wiring and bulbs etc on the SIII instrument panel. I’ve now got a charge light that actually initially comes on and goes off again correctly as there is now a (non LED) bulb in there to draw some load and make the alternator kick in. I now have indicators that work consistently! However, after hooking up the flasher unit (which has 3 spade connectors marked +, - and L), I found that the green light bulb in the middle of the instrument panel between the two guage units (pictured) now stays lit constantly; it is connected to the same + feed as the flasher unit - what is this bulb for? I see it in some other photos of S3 panels but I can’t find any mention of it in the wiring diagrams (as they reference a 2 connector flasher). Is it meant for a hazard switch? If so, what is it’s purpose if you don’t have a hazard switch?

Any help appreciated!
 
Do you have a tow hitch if so could be repeater lamp for towing need a flasher with an extra output though.
No lamp shown on this diagram
 

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  • Dash wiring info 1.jpeg
    Dash wiring info 1.jpeg
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Very pretty but doesn't show the lamp either.
Must admit I always assumed it was for a hazard light.
 
Hi

View attachment 196579
So, over the past month or so, on and off, I’ve been working through replacing loose wiring and bulbs etc on the SIII instrument panel. I’ve now got a charge light that actually initially comes on and goes off again correctly as there is now a (non LED) bulb in there to draw some load and make the alternator kick in. I now have indicators that work consistently! However, after hooking up the flasher unit (which has 3 spade connectors marked +, - and L), I found that the green light bulb in the middle of the instrument panel between the two guage units (pictured) now stays lit constantly; it is connected to the same + feed as the flasher unit - what is this bulb for? I see it in some other photos of S3 panels but I can’t find any mention of it in the wiring diagrams (as they reference a 2 connector flasher). Is it meant for a hazard switch? If so, what is it’s purpose if you don’t have a hazard switch?

Any help appreciated!

If I remember rightly, it were a while back, the S3's had two flasher relays, one for hazards, (ign on only), one for indicators, not ignition dependant ... they'll be the tincan type, or saucepans as the kids called 'em ...
 
Thanks all for all the replies so far. I do have a trailer hitch but haven’t had a chance to test it or trace the wiring back so potentially it is a repeater for that - but it would be nice to see it mentioned on a diagram somewhere... they do all seem to ignore it.

Like most, my wiring has been, uh, massaged somewhat over the years and the colours and connections are a bit of a dogs dinner. I’ll admit that I’ve had to add to the dinner myself to get it working but I do aim to redo it properly in due course.

The flasher unit looks reasonably new (ie it is not covered in dust, rust or the makings of a mouse nest) - I’d guess at 5-10 years - and is a black square unit, not a tin/saucepan shaped one so it’s definitely a replacement.

No matter, I’ll work it out and post here when I do. Thanks again.
 
Thanks all for all the replies so far. I do have a trailer hitch but haven’t had a chance to test it or trace the wiring back so potentially it is a repeater for that - but it would be nice to see it mentioned on a diagram somewhere... they do all seem to ignore it.

Like most, my wiring has been, uh, massaged somewhat over the years and the colours and connections are a bit of a dogs dinner. I’ll admit that I’ve had to add to the dinner myself to get it working but I do aim to redo it properly in due course.

The flasher unit looks reasonably new (ie it is not covered in dust, rust or the makings of a mouse nest) - I’d guess at 5-10 years - and is a black square unit, not a tin/saucepan shaped one so it’s definitely a replacement.

No matter, I’ll work it out and post here when I do. Thanks again.

The black square unit may suggest a retro fitted kit ...

A workshop writeup appeared in LRO back in Feb '16 ... it should still be on their site for download ... for the 2a, but there is a theory about the parts ....
 
The hole between the speedo and gauge cluster is used for the trip odometer reset cable. If you don't have a trip odo then the hole gets used for all sorts of switches and lights by owners over the years...
Given it's a green light and connected to the flasher unit, my guess would be it's for a trailer warning, but you need a flasher unit with a C2 terminal for that to work.
The hazard switch that was available as an accessory on Ser 3's went in the extra panel in the centre of the dash and had a built-in warning light. I've never seen an official wiring diagram for the hazard switch, although I think it was a standard fit on the Stage 1.
BTW, military Series 3's have a single green light for the indicators and an orange one for the trailer (similar to the Lightweight dash in the post above), but they have a heavy-duty flasher unit that works for both normal indicators and hazards (made by Hella and still working perfectly in my 109 after 40+ years).
 
added by PO

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Sorry to jump on the thread, but does anyone know what the circled bulb is for? The wiring pic posted with these does not show anything.

Unfortunatly I cannot help with the light in question here other than to agree with @ExMil109. The hazards on mine are in the center panel, with a later but separate hella flasher unit, while the indicators are on the original small tin 2pin flasher relay.
 
View attachment 196761

Sorry to jump on the thread, but does anyone know what the circled bulb is for? The wiring pic posted with these does not show anything.

Unfortunatly I cannot help with the light in question here other than to agree with @ExMil109. The hazards on mine are in the center panel, with a later but separate hella flasher unit, while the indicators are on the original small tin 2pin flasher relay.

There are a couple for sale on eBlag, but they have empty holes, so it maybe an optional extra type thing ....

s-l640.jpg
 
There are a couple for sale on eBlag, but they have empty holes, so it maybe an optional extra type thing ....

s-l640.jpg
I have exactly the same hexagan frosted blue bulb holder as pictured in mine. I did briefly wonder if it was something as fancy as a low fuel warning light for the later model senders (mine is '82)
 
Lamp at low level is normally low fuel for diesel models as restarting after running out of diesel is problematic.

Yes, on our diesel it is the low fuel light. It’s a mauve colour. Ours had faded to near white so I coloured it in with a dark mauve Sharpie - and it looks perfect.

Many thanks for confimring. It does not work at the moment anyway! something else for me to work through, guess the first thing to check it bulb and that it has the correct sender after that I will trace the wiring though! guessing it is a very basic circuit earthed through the sender?
 
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