What's this switch for?
 

I have a '95 SE Auto, and I noticed a switch the other day and I can't figure out what it could possibly do.

The switch is a basic metal toggle switch, and it's located up under the dash just above the brake pedal, with the switch facing downward. It doesn't seem to do anything. Someone told me that the car may have a keyless entry/remote start system installed, and this is the switch to disable it...but I doubt it--if it does neither I or the previous owner have the remote.

Anyone know what this is for--I can't find any mention of it in the manual or on here.

Thanks!

Its obviously not stock.
I would trace the wires to see where they go.

prolly valet switch for factory or aftermarket alarm

Forgot to put them with my first post...I imagine a picture would help!

Because of the location, it's tough to trace the wires very far.

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/427/img2783tk.th.jpg

I didn't even realize factory alarms/keyless entry was an option with these. I do have a red light that never comes on right next to the cruise control switch. I had a 97 Outback at one point that had the exact same light, and it was for the alarm. Maybe this came with a factory keyless entry/alarm system?

Maybe, but Nissan wouldnt use a toggle switch.

This is the light that I have on the dash:

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/550...4051416.th.jpg

So maybe this car came with keyless and the toggle switch is completely unrelated...if I knew for sure that the system was there, I'd just buy a remote and program it.

Aftermarket alarm

YUP :nod:

Thanks for all the help!

Hmmm...I wonder how I'd go about getting a remote for it...there must be a control module somewhere that would give me some sort of information on it...but where?

I actually assumed the light was stock because I had a 97 Outback that had the same light, in the same place, and it was a Subaru factory alarm. It'd be really cool to have keyless entry on this!

depends if the alarm has already been disabled and all componets removed. U can check to see if there is a control module by the gas pedal under the dash

I'm thinking this isn't stock:

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/4823/boxu.th.jpg

Managed to follow the wire, it goes into a set of wires that are all wound together in electrical tape, some of which look like they go through the firewall, most of them it's hard to tell, but a few went here. It's a box tethered to the steering column with a plastic strap. I'm thinking I'll cut the plastic strap and see if there's any models/brands/etc. on the box.

That's a DEI shock sensor unit (best I can tell, anyway). Could also be a tilt/level sensor, or a motion sensor.
http://www.lesscoelectronics.com/v/v...os/504D-2T.jpg

Check the left side kick panel and the entire area around the steering column for the main alarm unit. The wires coming from the LED in the dash will lead straight to the brain.

Okay...there's a bunch of little boxes, and my dealings with automotive electronics aren't very extensive! ...and most of the wires are basically encased in an electrical tape harness...

Thanks for the suggestion of following the wires from the light! Didn't think of that! I had the whole area apart when I changed out the ignition switch, but didn't even think to look for this then.

EDIT: I looked up the DEI Shock Sensor Unit...sounds to me like this is just more evidence of an aftermarket alarm? Plus, the fact that it's sort of cob-jobbed in there with a plastic strap.

Follow the wires to the alarm brain, then read the model number. You can't order remotes until you know what model it is...and it may not be worth it anyway. (depending on the age)

No factory alarms alarms have an led like this...it must have been a dealer installed alarm. (still aftermarket basically, even if it uses the original remote)

I think I see the main part, it's where all these wires seem to go...but it's sitting on top of some wires (not really mounted) way up above the steering column, so I'll probably have to take off a few covers to be able to see it...and the snow's coming down here right now, so I'll end up doing it when it stops.

i bet it's not stock





kill switch

You're going to win that bet hands down.

Yeah I think it might be a kill switch.

You should try to start your car with it flipped the other way and see if anything happens. If you car doesn't crank or does not start with the switch flipped the other way then its a kill switch.

But if it starts after being flipped both sides then we need to do more digging :)

:laugh: glad you got the sarcasm

if it's a kill switch, it's most likely a fuel pump power kill. takes about 12 mins to install. tho, if it is, that's not a very good place for it :ugh:

I think I've tried it both ways in the past and it still starts, runs, and drives forever.

I'll do it again today, and I guess I'll know what it does if it stalls going down the road because it's a fuel pump shutoff :D

if its cutting the fuel pump, it should stall within about 3 or so seconds

Okay, drove the ~20 miles to school with it switched one way, and back the other way. I noticed absolutely no differences, so it doesn't do anything...or at least nothing obvious.

Not it he has a siphon.

Undo the gas cap, Than flip it and drive.

Odd! I wonder what could switch be for?

Maybe for some previous aftermarket fogs or maybe it is for activating and deactivating some separate alarm system on your car.

fogs would use a stalk, not a switch. i have a switch like that under the left side and it puts the antenna up and down, i needed it cause my system had so much crap that i had no way to put it up or down so i had that put in. i'll get a pic of mine, did u notice if your antenna goes up or down?? :laugh:

All you guys stop misleading this poor kid.

Dude, that is SO stock (obviously; it blends right in with the decor). The switch is the pheloganuetering valve cutoff. Before your maxima can utilize the SuperVTEC assembly this switch has to be flipped. It probably did not activate because you were going too slow. Once you have your vehicle above 100MPH and the switch is in the on position your SVTEC will activate automatically. TBH, it is pretty much like nos brah!

Since we are on the subject... what does this switch do? http://www.wiringproducts.com/conten...gle_switch.jpg

yea lol it activates the flux capacitor in the back :D

time circuits on flux capacitor fluxing :laugh:
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/e...-Capacitor.jpg

MCFLY!!!!!!

Fogs can use anything the user wants to turn them on and off. I wired my aftermarket fogs to a switch in my car for a while (the one one with the cool red LED and looks like the switch people use for nitrous set ups) and then I wired them to turn on when the light stalk is turned once so that it goes on with the parking lights first and stays on until the stalk is completely off.

:)

WHATEVER i knew that :buttkick:

Investigated it a little further today...lots of stuff under the dash has the "Bosch" brand name on it, but there are a number of wires cut. I'm assuming the system started to go on the fritz and someone just "disabled" it.