The 'E' Type Forum

Hi Anthony...the red on the panel lamp switch should go to a fuse for 12v to power the panel lamps.....not sure that diagram is actually correct....the switch pin numbers do jot match up to my Jaguar wireing diagram....di you have a Jaguar service manual....and a proper Jaguar wireing diagram to match your car number...Steve

H Anthony,

I spent many a happy hour making a new loom for my S2 so hopefully have a reasonable understanding of how the original worked.
This is my understanding of the configuration.

Power is supplied to the headlamp switch via a brown permanent live unfused cable. It leaves the headlamp switch via a blue cable to work the headlamps and a brown permanent live “jumper” cable to supply the side light switch.
Power leaves this switch via a red and black wire to supply fuse 5 which in turn provides power via two red wires to the panel light switch and the side lights themselves.
As Steve says, the side lights(red wire) should be fed from fuse 5.

I hope that makes sense!

It is also useful to know that as a general rule.....

BROWN WIRES
Permanent live
Before ignition switch
No fuse protection

WHITE WIRES
Live only after ignition switch is on
No protection by fuses

GREEN WIRES
After ignition switch
Protected by fuses


For a much more detailed explanation and description see Marek’s post below

I’m sure you will get to the bottom of it, it is just a matter of being methodical and fixing one issue at a time.

Good luck

Simon

@ Steve, as you say I’m not sure about the PIN numbers but as far as the wires are concerned I think the diagram is correct. Anthony should have 2 red wires from fuse 5 , one supplying the panel lights and one to the side lights themselves. What is confusing is the fact that the fuse is post side light switch and pre panel light switch.

It is quite worrying by today’s standards just how much wiring behind the dash is not protected by fuses , permanently live or both.

Simon

288gto wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 10, 2019 10:30 pm

It is also useful to know that as a general rule.....

BROWN WIRES
Under permanent current
Before ignition switch
No fuse protection
Non regulated current

WHITE WIRES
Under tension only after ignition switch is on
No protection by fuses
Regulated current

GREEN WIRES
After ignition switch
Protected by fuses
Regulated current

A couple of points need clarifying here:-

1/ None of the wiring between the battery and the fuseboard has any protection from excess current.
2/ For wiring after the fuseboard, there is only very limited protection from excess current as the fuses fitted by the factory are 35amp fuses. This means that a single small circuit with a fault could potentially draw a massive current with the consequent escape of smoke, as the majority of the wiring is rated at well below 35amps.
3/ There is no concept of regulated or unregulated current. The current drawn will simply be inversely proportional to the resistance in a circuit. (A "short circuit" has a very low resistance and draws a high current; an "open circuit" has infinite resistance and draws no current. "Under permanent current" doesn't mean anything - you can have a brown wire whose circuit is not complete, so it will draw no current.

The wiring to the tail lights will be the same for both US and UK cars:- you'll have a single bulb indicator above a twin filament bulb for brake/sidelights (Euro spec) or a single bulb indicator outbaord of a twin filamented bulb combining tail light and stop light (US spec). When the latter was fitted, the plastic lens housing was all red as Lucas never manufactured a red/orange US spec plastic lens housing.

There may be additional sidelight indicators piggy-backed to the red wire on some cars. The parts manual should explain all.

kind regards
Marek

So Marek if you don’t mind scrolling up a bit and watching my video.
My brake and turn signal are sharing the dual filament on the bottom of the fixture.
My side light (which isn’t working) is using the top single bulb.
Car is a left hand drive 69 FHC

Is this wrong?

Dear Anthony,

The wiring I have described is for the s3 etype. The brake light becomes a more powerful sidelight and the indicator can always be seen separately. If you have a Jaguar wiring diagram for a s2 car which swaps where the brake light appears, then feel free to wire it up that way. It does mean that when you turn and hit the brakes, it is less obvious to the person following you, as the brake light merely appears to pulse on one side.

It also means that, when operated, the hazard lights will similarly be obscured if you are simultaneously covering the brake and I suspect that that safety reason is why the s3 wiring diagram prevailed.

Sadly I can't see (moving) pictures on this computer so can't comment on your video.

kind regards
Marek

It certainly makes more sense the way you describe. I configured it per the S2 diagram. I hate to bust up the shrink connector and shrink tube job I did but we need all the brake lighting we can get.
Thanks again
Anthony

Just tagging on this discussion if i may. I am about to replace the rear indicator lenses on my US Series 3 to UK spec lenses. Do I need to buy a new housings as well or will the bulbs be correctly placed for the new lens?

Sorry, but a dumb question.

I have an e-type 1.5 US export model but now back in UK.

My rear lights (pic below) have just two bulbs (and the reflector), one for the left/right signal and the other one is used for the brake light. Should the brake light bulb also be used for the rear night light / tail light ?

Surely it can't be just the reflector at night and the number plate lights ?

American cars often had the brake and indicator light as one unit
That could be your problem

Geoff

Take out the bulbs....look into the fitting and see how many contacts are in there...if 2 then should be a double filament bulb.....or look at wireing....do you have a wireing diagram for your car...they are in Knowledge base section....either way you should have correct lights for UK use so need to be sorted....Steve

Thanks Geoff and Steve

Just looked inside the brake light holder and yes, appears there are two connections (pic below) and also the bulb has what looks like two elements.

Now I just need to work out why the feed isn't reaching the connection but at least I know what the "goal" is.

Many thanks for the pointer Steve

Gary

Turned out the Side Light switch had been installed the wrong way around - grrrr.