Parking lights not working

[Ltriumph]

I recently went for a WOF and they identified the park lights not working. I replaced the switch last year with a new one from Rimmers but can't remember checking the park lights. Any suggestions as to what could be the cause?

[johnnydog]

The parking light facility was only fitted to the early Mk2, and dropped in later models although I'm not sure when the change was. The rotary light switch is depressed and rotated anticlockwise one turn which operated the offside sidelights. The parking light symbol is clearly marked on the rotary knob. If it has a later knob without this facility, then it won't turn this way and the symbol won't be shown on it.
It is currently illegal in the UK to use side lights just on one side of the vehicle, which is why it was probably dropped on later cars. All four side lights must be illuminated to be legal, although Vauxhalls for example still had a parking light facility until well into the 'norties' which operated either the offside or nearside sidelights by operating the left or right indicator with the ignition off.
It may be worth checking that Rimmers sent you the correct switch for your era of vehicle as this could well be the reason for the problem!

[Dave B]

Do you mean parking lights, or what we in the UK call sidelights? I notice your car is a '78, which wouldn't have had the five position switch John described above, as that was dropped in about 1974 when the facelift models came out. Assuming you have the correct three position (off/side/head) switch (and that all the wires are on the correct terminals!) check that the rear and number plate lights are working when the switch is on either of the second two positions. If not, I would suspect a blown or poor contact fuse, one of the four behind the parcel shelf. The relevant fuse controls the side & tail lights, but not the headlights.
Check those and see where you go

[Ltriumph]

It was the fuse - thanks for your input.

[johnnydog]

Glad it's now sorted! Well diagnosed Dave!