Unusal method of switching passing lights

[Adam]

I just bought a second hand 2005 Venture and found this unusual(to me) method of switching the passing lights. The passing lights toggle on/off each time you turn the high beams on, so as you switch between high and low beam, you get a sequence like: High+pass, Low+pass, High+no pass, Low+no pass. When the passing lights are on, a red led lights up next to the power port on the left fairing.

 

I haven't taken the fairing apart to investigate the wiring yet. I plan to "fix" this by installing a switch for the passing lights, which I would like to be on all (or almost all) of the time. Unless somebody can explain why the method I've got is superior - I can't see why anyone would want this method!

[utadventure]

I read at one time that in some locations, passing light have to work in concert with the high beam ..... off during low beam/on with high beam..... exception would be during daylight hours.

 

That is possibly the reason for the ability to have it on sometimes and off at others.

 

Dave

[bongobobny]

That IS strange!! They are usually wired one of two ways. Either the power for the lights comes from 12 volts accessory switched on and off either directly or via a relay so they are on (when turned on) with either the low or high beams, or they are wired to the low beam instead of 12 volts acc, so they are on with low beam, off with high beam. Sometimes they get hooked up to the high beam line so they are off with low beam but on with high beam. But the sequence you describe is really weird to say the least. There would have to be some kind of logic sequencer hooked up to get that kind of pattern...

[Freebird]

Sounds to be like somebody was just trying to be fancy. I don't think I would like that either. They have to be using a series of relays or something.