Dashboard indicator lights question

HotVWheels · Jan 6, 2008

When I was small my Mom had a 412 Variant. It always bothered me that both lights on the dash flash if you turn left or right. I mean - any modern car has the left dashboard light flash with the left indicators, same with the right? I've had no less than 5 Type 4s in 15 years, and they were all the same!

Now with my '71 Bay it is also like the Type 4. Turn left, both dash lights flash - turn right, both dash lights flash. Put the hazards on - ditto!

I mean, how difficult would it have been in the Hannover factory for the Bay assembly guys to wire the dash left to left and right to right??

Or am I missing some very obvious electronic principle here?

Justin &amp; Muttley · Jan 6, 2008

It's all down to expense I'm afraid - it's just simpler and cheaper to do that way!

scamperbus · Jan 6, 2008

The indicator dash lights flash left for left and right for right in my '71 1200 bug as yuo'd expect but in my '70 bus both flash regardless of whether you are turning left or right. Same was true of the ghia I used to own. I put it down to the fact the bus and ghia were US imports but my bug is a RHD UK car. You're right - it's annoying!!

Htotheunit · Jan 6, 2008

scamperbus said:
I put it down to the fact the bus and ghia were US imports but my bug is a RHD UK car. You're right - it's annoying!!

my UK RHD bay window flashes both, regardless.. so it cant be a UK thing

Tofufi · Jan 6, 2008

hasthespaz said:
scamperbus said:

I put it down to the fact the bus and ghia were US imports but my bug is a RHD UK car. You're right - it's annoying!!

Click to expand...

my UK RHD bay window flashes both, regardless.. so it cant be a UK thing

Mine too.

When I can be bothered (and have finished every other job on it :lol: ) I'll get round to wiring it properly. It can't be too tricky.

Heh. See, now I've said that, it will be a right PITA.