What is this switch and why was it in my car?

superfusca

I've recently been giving some attention to my 74 standard restoration. One of the wires melted behind the dash so I've been cleaning up all the bad splices and other messes typical on a hacked wiring harness.

This switch was mounted above the radio, to the left.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I think it's the fresh air switch to a 71/72 super, but the fresh air box I have is a standard (with no fan inside). Maybe it was a relic from an earlier attempt to install a super fresh air box? The wires on it have been cut as long as I've had the car.

Is there another reason this switch would have been installed?
_________________
73 SB, 74 Std

60ragtop · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 1:47 pm Post subject:

could have been for any thing. why does it matter if the wires go nowhere?
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

superfusca · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 1:52 pm Post subject:

60ragtop · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 1:58 pm Post subject:

if these cars could only talk, what stories we'd hear.
since the wires are cut we can only guess
washer button, fog lights, starter, rear defrost, aux air blower etc Wink

_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

Volks Wagen · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:01 pm Post subject:

I believe that is a fly-by-wire miniature steering wheel. Why it was in your car I am not sure - do you have a manual steering wheel? Popcorn

_________________
1973 1303 with AB-motor - sporadic
reconstruction as time permits, 1986 ex-Bundeswehr Doka - on the road again.

I'm definitely, probably, the worlds greatest lover.

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.

75smith · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:19 pm Post subject:

the knob itself is for the fresh air/ventilation, that design is earlier style, later had the words air embossed(not the actual fan fresh air)

the switch looks like the usual on/off headlight switches, so it is possible they just grabbed the knob to replace a broken/lost one
_________________
My 1975 Beetle Build Updated 8-21-12

My engine build

superfusca · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:34 pm Post subject:

hitest · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:15 pm Post subject:

C.M.Wolf · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:04 pm Post subject:

I would also guess, possibly a dimmer switch for the interior/dome lights.. or an added switch for possibly a set of fog lights...

Did I mention I was "Guessing"?

Wink

Michael

modok · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:27 pm Post subject:

It's a cheap switch sold at the auto-parts store with a VW heater knob on it.

It's there to plug the hole. Wink

superfusca · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the good guesses. It reminded me that when I got the car it had these backup lights bolted to the rear bumper, but they weren't hooked up.

I have to admit, they looked kind of cool, but if anyone thought about it for a second it seemed sort of ridiculous to have backup lights from another era when the stock lens is still on the car.

I took them off for good, but only remembered them after reading the replies on this thread. Sure, it would have made more sense to wire these to the backup light circuit, but who knows. Maybe they went to this switch.
_________________
73 SB, 74 Std

Brian · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:02 pm Post subject:

I don't know man, I've been using a work light jumped onto my backup lights and its been worth it

Just an fyi, those back up lights are definitely not worth anything if you have Hella lenses. Wink

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Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

Tazzilla · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 4:26 am Post subject:

Its the control switch for the flux capacitor Mr. Fusion model. The non Mr. Fusion model had three wires where this model only required 2 wires. The arrows on the knob showed what direction in time you were adjusting your time travel to allowing you to go forward or backwards into time

volksworld · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:01 am Post subject:

ejection seat...the arrows are to switch it from driver to passenger...the previous owner probably disabled it when he realized he didn't have a sunroof

DeathTrap · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 4:24 pm Post subject:

after market

ac

fan

switch

vw style

hopkin · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 4:53 pm Post subject:

Caution!

Do NOT remove that switch from your car. That is the on/off switch, if you remove the switch you will NOT be able to turn it ON or OFF.

If you have to remove the switch, it is very important that the switch remains in the OFF position, otherwise it will be ON.

If you are replacing the switch, take great care on the placement of the wires. If the switch is wired backwards it will no longer function as an ON/OFF, switch but will begin to function as an OFF/ON switch.

Whatever you do, don't wire any OFF/ON switches in the same circuit as ON/OFF switches as this could cause a tear in fabric of the universe and the evil Mr. Spock will emerge.

Very Happy

C.M.Wolf · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:47 am Post subject:


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