Road light switch

[Lotus17racer]

Hi. I have a 1963 3.8 coupe. The road lights switch has O S H F on it which I thought noted off, side, head, full (beam). Since the beam is activated by a switch, and the light switch ‘stopped’ at H, I thought that the wrong escutcheon had been fitted in the past. Pictures appeared to confirm this. So I have ordered a new one. Now, I was looking at the wiring diagram to try to resolve the lack of instrument lighting (!!) when I saw that there is provision for Fog lights. So does my F refer to fog and not full? My car doesn’t have fog lights and neither have I seen a car which does, so I guess this question is out of intrigue rather than anything else.........

[christopher storey]

Yes, it was a standard Jaguar switch and escutcheon, and the F stands for Fog, even where not fitted

[Lotus17racer]

Thank you! I’ll leave it as it is, then.

[Philk]

..... but if your car was not originally fitted with fog lights from the factory then it should not have the C.15447 escutcheon with the "F" on it. Most E-Types simply have the O S H escutcheon. I am therefore wondering if your car either had the fog lamps or if it has had a non e-type switch/escutcheon fitted (e.g. from a Mark 10).

[ralphr1780]

All the E-types l have seen have the OSH switch and escutchon.
But on my S1 l have fitted the OSHF switch and escutchon taken off an MK2, because l wanted to fit a rear fog light.
Have opted for Marek's reverse light which illuminates white for reverse and strong red for fog.
Underneath the escutchon I have fitted a small led which is visible only when the switch is on F.
If of interest for some can gladly post pics.
The increased visibility with the rear fog light on is a real additional security feature nowadays.

[Lotus17racer]

Probably therefore, since I don’t know whether it had fogs originally fitted, I go with the replacement I’ve just purchased. But I agree that a rear fog makes good sense but where could it be subtly located? They have such a pure rear end I’d hate to mess with it. In the reversing lamp??

[christopher storey]

There seems to me to be a real snag with Ralph's scheme, and that is that in the F position, you will be on parking lamps alone at the front, because the F position on a car with Fog lights cuts the headlamps and illuminates the Fogs alone

[1954Etype]

Wish I’d read this 2 weeks ago! I found out the hard way that the ‘F’ position kills the headlights.

[ralphr1780]

Christopher, Angus,
A simple small relay will overcome this aspect very neatly stored next to the switch

[1954Etype]

Ralph, agreed but I had run out of time!

[Lotus17racer]

Done a bit of Googling and looking at my books. Consensus seems to be that S1 cars were not offered fogs as a factory extra and that the wiring loom and diagram were common across some other models. Haven’t seen any photos which look period on cars (save for a blue OTS in a Mecom auction). Since my switch is only 3 position, I think the escutcheon is the wrong sort so I’ll replace. Thanks guys. All interesting!!

[christopher storey]

Lotus : my early 4.2 has the 3 position switch with the 4 position escutcheon...... go figure as they say

[Lotus17racer]

Can’t. Brain has blown up