Series 3 Side lights, tail lights and indicators

TheMegaMan · Sep 5, 2020

What is the *correct* position for these lights? The manual and parts lists don't really show/state. I assume they expect you to just replace them from their existing position, but I'm not sure the lights were in the correct position when I removed them.

I think the side lights should be above the indicators on the front, but the indicators above the tail/brake lights on the rear. Is this correct?

Looking at random photos on the internet, this seems the most common arrangement, but I'd like to check with the collective wisdom, since I've seen some that are the other way around (as mine were on the front, in fact).

Cheers.

Bobsticle · Sep 6, 2020

I wouldn’t worry too much. They won’t work anyway. Not for long

tottot · Sep 6, 2020

Series 3 are mostly as you say with indicators above brake/ tail. Only late model series 3 had the indicators below the brake/tail in the same position as 90/110's have them.

mystery · Sep 6, 2020

judging by some of the modern indicators fitted to cars these days that are obliterated by brake lights I wouldn't worry as long as they orange seem the new criteria

TheMegaMan · Sep 6, 2020

Thanks for the replies, chaps. I *hope* mine will work for at least a little while. Ah, if they swapped over on the defender, that's probably where my confusion comes from. It's actually the fronts that seem to have been swapped over on mine, with the indicators at the top. Seems more sensible to have the side lights nearer the corner of the wing, but I won't lose too much sleep over this, if nobody really cares much.

rob1miles · Sep 7, 2020

I think it changed over the years. My take (may be wrong) is that the orginal regs for vehicle lights predated indicators and put the side and rear (marker) lights to the outside. When indicators came in there was an amendment that the indicators should be outside the side and rear lights (or at least not inside). I think this co-incides with rules for headlamps moving them out. The regs and dates are all on the gov websire somewhere.

tottot · Sep 7, 2020

When in the 2/2a production early 2's came without indicators, many had them added post production moving the side lamp to the inner position. From 2a on indicators were standard. In the late 60's [ end of 67 I think ] the headlamps moved to the wings and the side's and indicators went one above the other with side at the top.

TheMegaMan · Sep 7, 2020

Yeah, I can see inboard/outboard might be an issue legally, although on the S3, the light positions are inline vertically, so that isn't really the problem.

Series 3 Side lights, tail lights and indicators

TheMegaMan

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Bobsticle

De Villes Advocaat

tottot

Well-Known Member

mystery

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TheMegaMan

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rob1miles

Well-Known Member

tottot

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TheMegaMan

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