Date:         Thu, 9 May 2002 20:49:43 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Mills <scmills@TNTECH.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Mills <scmills@TNTECH.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Rewiring parking lights to switch with ignition
Comments: To: Stones <sstones@IDIRECT.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <5.1.0.14.0.20020509112924.009f3250@mail.idirect.com>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

The reason they do this is some of the European countries require daytime
running lights and many (most) have laws that state you are not allowed to
operate a moving vehicle with only your parking lights on.

Parking - - - lights. Lights to use when you are parked. I understand what
you are saying about using amber fog lights instead of white headlights
though.

I'm not picking at you - much... <grin>

No worry I see people around here all the time driving around town in the
dark with only their parking lights on. Probably think they look cool or
something.

We (wife and I) have trouble picking those vehicles out against the
background of lights from other cars and streetside lighting for stores and
such.

The Eurovan list has talked the subject of disabling the DDL system to
death so a quick search ought to turn up the solution.

Looks like to me that VW has created on electrical system for most of their
1st world markets and we get a vehicle that caters to those regulations.
Lots more lighting regulations in Europe than here in NA.


At 11:47 AM 5/9/02 -0400, you wrote:
>At 08:23 AM 5/9/02 -0700, you wrote:
>>Like I said, "I'm sure there's a good argument for...".
>After seeing and responding to the previous I have to agree with the idea.
>I think the four ways are a good enough indicator that the stopped vehicle
>isn't partaking in traffic and should be avoided. No need for parking
>lights in situations where you're not with the vehicle...
>What really pees in my cornflakes is the fact that on my 2001 Golf you have
>no choice but to drive with your lights on. There is no way to switch to
>just amber, so when you're driving in fog all you can see is the glow of
>your lights in the fog. I suppose I understand this in a European sold
>vehicle where the low beams are available as amber fogs, but to use the
>same wiring set-up in North American sold cars is dangerous.
>Ummm...  Running low on vanagon content...  Here we go...
>In my van I have aftermarket driving lights and fogs installed each with
>their own rocker switch so I can control my light output depending the
>situation, and the stock headlight switch DOES switch the headlights off
>when you choose to.
>It's sad that you can't buy a Volkswagen designed for people that just want
>a vehicle anymore...
>But I'm ranting... Ciao

Ciao!

Chris Mills
Cookeville, Tennessee
ICQ# 5944649