No License plate lights (1973 911) .....

[ejboyd5]

The reason the license lights come straight off the headlight switch is so that the license lights are not tied to either side of the tail lights. That way they do not illuminate with either of the single-side parking lights (turn signal with ignition off). Probably not a big issue for us in the USA, but that's the rationale, anyway.

Arne: Good thought, but the little "overnight" parking lights (left or right side) ae completely separate lamps and circuitry apart from the tail lights. When the overnight lamps are activated by moving the turn signal stalk up or down with the ignition switch in the "off" position there is no interconnection with the taillights. The taillights are activated by pulling the headlight switch out to the first or second detent which is exactly when you want the license plate lights to be on, i.e., when the taillights are on. Accordingly, a taillight is a perfect place to steal power for the license plate lights if you have trouble tracing the original wiring.

[Haasman]

And to confirm- the head light switch terminal for the license plate lights had no power. Thus after replacing the head light switch the license plate light circuit was powered.