Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: horsepower on February 29, 2008, 15:28:25

Title: Secret Switch?
Post by: horsepower on February 29, 2008, 15:28:25
When I first bought my 90 (1995 300tdi), I found a tiny toggle switch hidden up under the dash - above the switches on the right of the steering column.

No-one has ever been able to tell me what it is for - and it doesn't seem to be connected to anything (at least nothing happens when you switch it either way).

Anyhow, I was going through the paperwork the other day, and noticed it listed as an 'other item' on the Used Vehicle Order from Barretts of Canterbury (28/01/98).

Land Rover secret switch £40.00

Does anyone know what this was fitted for?
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Sharpshooter on February 29, 2008, 16:12:19
Have you tried starting the engine when it is switched on??

It may be a primative immobiliser. :)
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Guardian. on February 29, 2008, 16:29:00
NOT A Speaker switch is it, my defender has a switch under the dash to go between speakers(factory fitted)
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Defender on February 29, 2008, 18:01:14
It's a 'Cloaking Device' switch.  :lol: :lol:
You know....your motor always seems to go into Stealth mode when passing junctions & the idiot waiting to pull out looks directly through you...& then pulls out into your path.   :shock:
This switch disables the device. :lol:
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Bob696 on February 29, 2008, 18:12:05
I have a rocker switch hidden away down towards the heater vent that is an imoboliser. Found it by accident 2 years after I had the car  :oops:
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Saffy on February 29, 2008, 18:14:27
Talking about finding odd things... I found 3 secret relays on the rear tub quarter finisher panel in the 110 yesterday, all triggered off the reverse switch. Funny thing is the standard reverse lamp has never worked but the click of a loud relay always puzzled me :laugh:  Because I have a storage boxe bolted in on that side I have never until now investigated.
Originally the truck was special purpose modified with an integrated onboard airbrake system for a multi trailer train for carrying people, raised exhaust exit, PA system. Not sure what all 3 relays where for, but one had remains of trailer hitch wiring on it, other had the reversing alarm and third is a mystery. Have now wired up a better over door reversing spot lamp to one of the relays, with switch to use it as a work lamp also. Also fixed the non working reversing lamp - broken wire.
 
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Bunnie on February 29, 2008, 20:07:44
in my old clio i had a similar switch which wouldnt do anything untill i read through the manual and a peice of paper fell out saying about an imobilizer switch in the glove box... this explained the mystery key! so tryed it out and ta da the little red lights on the stearing colum started flashing... so im guessing they ran the switch to make it a little more discrete when getting out the car (it was on the bottom on the plastic dash pannel thingymy so you could easily switch is as you got out)
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Disco Matt on February 29, 2008, 20:28:46
I've helped add a similar device to a motorhome before now. Obviously I won't give full details but it enables you to disconnect the starter solenoid. A simple battery isolator was out as the vehicle is connected to a mains power supply when parked at home which keeps both vehicle and leisure batteries trickle charged.
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: diggerdog36 on March 01, 2008, 20:35:48
Dunno, but its not that secret anymore!!!
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Disco-Ron on March 01, 2008, 22:38:04
A few years ago i built a Mini from abare shell from the factory, i made the wiring loom, so i made it that there were two switches that had to be in the right position for the fuel pump relay to be triggered....... one of them was the fog light switch..... but the car didn't have a fog light!! :dance:
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Range Rover Blues on March 02, 2008, 04:44:50
It's a 'Cloaking Device' switch.  :lol: :lol:
You know....your motor always seems to go into Stealth mode when passing junctions & the idiot waiting to pull out looks directly through you...& then pulls out into your path.   :shock:
This switch disables the device. :lol:

Mine just comes on with the ignition, that's why it's called "the Spanish Inquisition", because no-one expects it :lol:
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Lee_D on March 03, 2008, 18:08:52
I know what this is for............  but as you have already identified, it's a secret.

If we told everyone then your car would be worth £40 less  :doh:
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: tjolliffe on March 04, 2008, 00:27:54
I've got a switch there too, mine operates interior and dash lighting  :-k, not sure that what is actually intended for though.... :D
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: horsepower on March 04, 2008, 13:05:50
It's for the passenger ejector seat!

How do you get an angry woman out of a tree?
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Banstock on March 08, 2008, 15:04:44
i have the same switch on my TD5 it works the front spots :D
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: diggerdog36 on March 08, 2008, 16:33:46
I've got a switch there too, mine operates interior and dash lighting  :-k, not sure that what is actually intended for though.... :D
I have one of them too, one way it turns the interior light on, one way it turns the dash lights off and in the middle its normal dash on interior off????
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: auf_wiedersehen_pet on March 08, 2008, 16:42:55
Is it a Babe Magnet switch?

I think mine's fitted with one but I reckon it's stuck on all of the time.  :^o  :^o  :^o
Title: Re: Secret Switch?
Post by: Suvvey on March 12, 2008, 19:01:01
Have you checked your side or brake lights with the switch in different positions?
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