Random Switch under Instrument Cluster

[augustwillo]

Hey all, I was poking around and found this simple, but random switch under my intrument cluster. It has one wire going to ground, another going to my fuse panel, and another that seems to go towards the front of my vanagon (maybe headlights?).

It was switched off, but lights up when switched on. However, can't figure out what is for. Any idea?

[augustwillo]

If you look at the photo, just above you will see some marks on the dash that indicates maybe where someone wanted to put this switch. I did not put those marks there, but ironically discovered them after I took the image. Weird. ha

[Vanagon Nut]

Does the switch have 3 wires?
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)

1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[augustwillo]

[ajdenette]

the ground wire is for the light in the switch the switch lighting up when you turn it on says there is power from the fuse box. Unfortunately being an aftermarket switch and a common one we cant tel you exactly what is it for but we can tell you that when switched on you have a hot wire going somewhere and you need to trace the wire to know what it goes to.
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1985 2wd Westy with 2000 Subaru 2.2 current driver
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=685635
1986 Syncro Doka Project next in line
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732777
1990 Vanagon Syncro Base awaiting body work

[Ahwahnee]

Omega 13 Device?

[Vanagon Nut]

It's possible the PO took positive from the load side of a stock fuse but if not, make sure there's a fuse installed on the circuit the switch controls.

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)

1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[jimf909]

1 - Be grateful the PO did not hack the dash for the switch.

2 - Follow the (positive) wire leading away from the switch, it will tell you what the switch was intended to power. It could be anything: seat heaters, aux. lights, disco ball, any one of countless unfinished PO projects, etc.
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- Jim

[physast]

If you turn it on with the car off and keys out does the radio turn on?
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L

[Bills85Westy]

[campism]

Fuel pump cutoff for anti-theft?
_________________
'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic, tragically crushed by a falling hickory tree in my own driveway and now gone, leaving me Vanagonless and with no plans to replace it, alas.

[bobbyblack]

My PO rigged something like that to kick in the High Speed radiator fan. Maybe your wire goes out the firewall to the front?
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[augustwillo]

[augustwillo]

[Silverghost500]

Could be an aux switch for fog lights if you've got them.
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1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A conversion
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA

[jimf909]

My guess is that you'll soon learn this switch powers the inverted system quick-response flux capacitor. A simple fix.
_________________
- Jim

[DuncanS]

My flux capacitor failed and it is a simple fix. It's in the Bentley 97.248

[will5023]

Mine has a switch that manually engages the A/C clutch plate. Maybe this?
_________________
Will
'85 Westy w/ '99 Subaru EJ25D
Orig. manual now automatic

[danfromsyr]

it powers the bumper to keep pigeons off and cats from peeing on it.

seriously I really can't understand why you would even think we'd know..
now bring something back that we can help with, like where does this key with a VW logo go?

[eug_camper]

Yep, random switch for random accessory. What's the part number? Nine digits? Bet it's not good VW engineering.

Our Westy had a similar random switch to turn on an extra radiator blower. Very much not necessary in our case.
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'87 white Vanagon "Moonshine"
'85 gold Westy "Lucy"