Mystery switch under dash...left side
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Mystery switch under dash...left side
Last night I was removing some wiring from an alarm the previous owner had in my '70. The alarm hasn't worked since I bought the car and I feel it may be helping drain my battery.
I followed one wire through the engine compartment, fire wall and to a switch under the dash. This switch is to the left of the steering wheel. It is next to some other switches...there are 2 plastic switches which I believe (?) are vacuum switches...then there is a switch that just has a knurled end on it - looks like it's meant to be turns, not "flipped" if U know what i mean...what is this for?
But the big question is...this wire I was tracing went to a simple 2 position toggle switch which was mounted by the 3 above mentioned switches. This switch also had another wire connected to it, but I don't know where it goes. Does anyone know what this is for? It looks VERY hard to believe it's a switch that Chevy put in with the car...probably something this guy did. Any help? I don't know if I should remove the switch and wire or what to do...any thoughts would be very appreciated!
I followed one wire through the engine compartment, fire wall and to a switch under the dash. This switch is to the left of the steering wheel. It is next to some other switches...there are 2 plastic switches which I believe (?) are vacuum switches...then there is a switch that just has a knurled end on it - looks like it's meant to be turns, not "flipped" if U know what i mean...what is this for?
But the big question is...this wire I was tracing went to a simple 2 position toggle switch which was mounted by the 3 above mentioned switches. This switch also had another wire connected to it, but I don't know where it goes. Does anyone know what this is for? It looks VERY hard to believe it's a switch that Chevy put in with the car...probably something this guy did. Any help? I don't know if I should remove the switch and wire or what to do...any thoughts would be very appreciated!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Re: Mystery switch under dash...left side (Mpls Funk)
Could be cutt off switches for ignition, fuel, fan motor or alram. My guess is passenger side ejector seat or oil slick/smoke screen switch. Could be warp drive enable....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Re: Mystery switch under dash...left side (vettesite)
Could be warp drive enable....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: Mystery switch under dash...left side (Mpls Funk)
Does the knurled switch look anything like your trip meter re set or your head light over ride? I'm trying to get an idea of what your looking at. :confused:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Re: Mystery switch under dash...left side (gb4622)
Could be warp drive enable....
Warp drives weren't available until 1972. :cheers:
Warp drives weren't available until 1972. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
Re: Mystery switch under dash...left side (Mpls Funk)
I followed one wire through the engine compartment, fire wall and to a switch under the dash. This switch is to the left of the steering wheel. It is next to some other switches...there are 2 plastic switches which I believe (?) are vacuum switches...then there is a switch that just has a knurled end on it - looks like it's meant to be turns, not "flipped" if U know what i mean...what is this for?
dl
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Mystery switch under dash...left side (dladd74roadster)
The 3 "original" switches under the steering column are the vacuum over-ride for the headlights and the vacuum over-ride for the wiper door. They work by pulling them down. You can open either the headlights (without turning on the lights) or open the wiper door (without turning the wipers on). The **** in the center is the wiper "service" off/on switch. When your wipers are going back and forth, if you turn this switch, it shuts the wiper motor off allowing you to work on the blades, replace the refills, etc. The fourth switch is an add-on. My guess is that it's a cut out switch. I'll bet it breaks the negative coil wire, so the car won't start without the switch being turned "ON". That's the "old time" original safety device used decades ago. PS: You should buy an owners manual and an assembly manual. The assembly manual has both vacuum and wiring diagrams. Chuck
[Modified by Chuck Gongloff, 4:59 PM 8/19/2002]
[Modified by Chuck Gongloff, 4:59 PM 8/19/2002]
