Swedoglphyics - headlight controls

[xorlando]

Fellow Saaberati, enlighten me. What do these three positions mean?
My SO and I tried all three positions during the day. Headlights on with each.
I can't discern the difference. I'm more of a "word" person than a "pictures" person - what do these icons mean?

[nordwulf]

0 - Left: All lights off
1 - Middle: City lights on
2 - Right: Main Headlights on

But it can be different for some markets. When you have DRL enabled (default for USA/Canada), headlights are always on in any switch position. I think the parking lights will stay on when you turn off the ignition and the switch is in the 1 position.

From the WIS:

Headlamps, halogen
Main and dipped beams, rear lights, number plate lighting and parking lights are included in the main lighting. The light switch must be in position 2 and the ignition ON to operate the main lighting. The parking lights are monitored by TWICE (like a filament monitor). Main and dipped beams are controlled by DICE via 2 relays. On certain markets, the dipped beam is used as daylight driving lights. The light switch must then be in position 0.

Headlamps, xenon
Main and dipped beams, rear lights, number plate lighting and parking lights are included in the main lighting. The light switch must be in position 2 and the ignition ON to operate the main lighting. The parking lights are monitored by TWICE (like a filament monitor). Main and dipped beams are controlled by DICE via 2 relays. Certain markets (US/CA/JP) have an additional relay for controlling the headlamp flasher.

The xenon lamps and parking lights are on when dipped beam is active and an additional H7 halogen lamp (not US/CA/JP) when main beam is active. After being turned on, the xenon lamps maintain the same brightness with the main/dipped function being achieved with a screen, which is lowered to obtain main beam. For dipped beam, the xenon lamp is partially screened. The halogen lamp is on at the same time as the xenon lamp for main beam (not US/CA/JP).

On certain markets, the dipped beam is used as daylight driving lights. The light switch must then be in position 0.

Parking lights
The parking lights are on when the light switch is in position 1 and the ignition is off. Depending on the programming alternative, the parking lights can also be on with the switch in other positions. Dipped beam is used for daylight driving lights on some markets.

[xorlando]

OK. What the heck are "city lights"?
The front headlights were on in all three positions.

[nordwulf]

Sorry, I meant parking light. I think city light may be an older name but means the same. Or it may be city lights in Europe and parking lights in the US.

There is light bulb inside the headlight housing. I think that is the parking light.



But there are also the side marker lights which I think only are enabled and working in the USA/Canada.

It's all a bit confusing, perhaps others can provide some additional information.

[GeoffR]

Sorry, I meant parking light. I think city light may be an older name but means the same. Or it may be city lights in Europe and parking lights in the US.

There is light bulb inside the headlight housing. I think that is the parking light.



But there are also the side marker lights which I think only are enabled and working in the USA/Canada.

It's all a bit confusing, perhaps others can provide some additional information.

In the UK we call them "Side lights" but the term "parking lights" is also used and is more accurate. The light you have indicated is the parking light and is best accessed by removing the headlight assembly, not as daunting as it sounds.

It is not unknown for the headlight relay to stick on and give the symptoms reported with the headlights on in all positions. Without knowing the year of the car it is difficult to be more specific but I would suggest that the first action is to remove the DRL fuse which is, I think, 35 (for a 2007 9-5) but the hand book will have the correct information. This should mean that with the switch in position 0, fully anticlockwise (counterclockwise) all the lights are off.
Note that the ignition key must be set to On for the lights to be powered in positions 0 or 2, in position 1 the parking lights will be on irrespective of the key position.

xorlando, may I suggest that your location of United States is less than helpful as it rather limits the ability of fellow members to suggest workshops and specialists in your vicinity. Just your state would be sufficient, if that is agreeable.

[nordwulf]

xorlando, may I suggest that your location of United States is less than helpful as it rather limits the ability of fellow members to suggest workshops and specialists in your vicinity. Just your state would be sufficient, if that is agreeable.

Agreed. It would also be helpful to list the country in your location. I don't know if Denham is in the UK, Ireland, USA or Australia.

[GeoffR]

Agreed. It would also be helpful to list the country in your location. I don't know if Denham is in the UK, Ireland, USA or Australia.

I realised that as soon as I had posted, though my comment that "In the UK we call them "Side lights"", above, might have been a clue.

[elbastardocalvo]

Resurrecting this thread: anyone know what size bulbs are in this position in US spec cars? One of mine is burned out.

Thnaks!!!

Sorry, I meant parking light. I think city light may be an older name but means the same. Or it may be city lights in Europe and parking lights in the US.

There is light bulb inside the headlight housing. I think that is the parking light.



But there are also the side marker lights which I think only are enabled and working in the USA/Canada.

It's all a bit confusing, perhaps others can provide some additional information.

[swisssaabist]

that's what you get when ancester have no imagination ....even my town have a sister in Kansas i live in severy switzerland not in the middle of nowhere lol