Unknown controls

[gideonr]

Hello,

A month into (very happy) Chimaera ownership and I still haven't found the function of a couple of controls.
1. There is a rotary control on the left hand side of the steering column, it did occur to me that it might be a variable delay control for the intermittent wipers, but it didn't seem to make much difference.
2. There is also a switch on the right hand side of the steering column, quite far back and slightly underneath (sorry for the rather woolly description), it looks similar to the boot release switch but I haven't got the foggiest what it does.

Any ideas anybody?

1996 Chimaera 4.0HC

[plotloss]

The twisty round thing is indeed for the wipers.

The thing similar to a boot release I can only guess as that its the fan override switch (or the 'stealth running mode' switch that turns the lights off your dials). But then that is on the left and the boot release is on the right in mine.

HTH

Matt.

[Neil Menzies]

quote:2. There is also a switch on the right hand side of the steering column, quite far back and slightly underneath (sorry for the rather woolly description), it looks similar to the boot release switch but I haven't got the foggiest what it does.

It switches on/off the dash lights. I've never found this very useful, I don't think anyone would get blinded by the dash lights...

[steveab]

Whilst you are groping (sp) around under there, you'll probably find the heated seats switch - nice!, what a clever place to put that!!

Steve

[plotloss]

Heated seats switch?

Thats an option I take it, not a standard fitment item.

Matt.

[steveab]

Matt,

As far as I'm aware its standard (like the heated wing-mirrors which I found the other day!!).

Anyhoo, the switch is on the steering column on the right-hand side. Same style switch as the boot release (round button).

Steve

[cockers]

Heated seats certainly used to be an option (I have a '94L). Don't know if they became standard later on.

[gideonr]

OK cheers,

my switch definitely isn't the dash lights, that's under the dashboard to the left of the steering column, found that the other week. It's also not a fan override, at least the fans don't come on when I press it.
So I guess that leaves the heated mirrors or heated seats, although I should have both of these features. So there could be another switch I haven't found yet!!

Gideon.

[Paul R]

Please don't tell me that Heated seats were standard on a 96 car. I had two winters of sitting on bloody cold leather - Bloody hidden buttons!!!!!

[zippy500]

Do Griffs have them as standard also?

[philshort]

Heated seats were a cost option in 95 when I bought my 500.

[plotloss]

Now I am confused.

The mirrors I thought were automatic, or should there be steam coming from behind the mirror glass on startup?

I didnt know anything about the seats. Although I have just checked the website and its not an optional extra, but then its not listed as standard equipment either!

The dash lights switch and the fan override switch I believe are the same thing, although could be completely wrong!

Hidden switches, all very flash, but would be nice if they could be seen if they are for important things like warming up that leather on mornings like this morning.

Matt.

Edited by plotloss on Monday 26th November 12:50

[zertec]

Heated seats always an optional extra.
Switched on variously depending on Griffith/Chimaera/Year-of-build etc. by pulling the fan switch (old black knob)/pressing one of the four domed heated control knobs/switch under the dash/column or whatever. Thermostatically controlled to switch off at a certain teperature and wouldn't come back on unless the ignition was turned off then back on.

Heated mirrors come on when the fan is activated and switch off after 15 minutes.

Clive Reed
Zertec Limited
[e-mail]
www.zertec.co.uk

[trefor]

quote:
2. There is also a switch on the right hand side of the steering column, quite far back and slightly underneath (sorry for the rather woolly description), it looks similar to the boot release switch but I haven't got the foggiest what it does.

Since it's on the RHS it sounds like the switch for the second fan to me. Does it have two on positions? You should hear the fan - it blows outside air into the drivers side only. Very useful in the summer if you have one (not all cars do).

T/.

[ATG]

gideonr ... could be that you have one of the three pre-facelift cars that was fitted with two stage rocket motors and ICBM interceptors .... blah, blah, blah ....

I hate this kind of thread. You b@stards. I will now spend half the evening standing on my head in the footwell looking for mystery switches and wiring. And which plonker is responsible for the laughably titled "owner's handbook" that came with the car? The index doesn't even match the contents let alone describe the car ...

[jtong]

Hi, If it's anything like my 99 Chimaera, then the switch on the steering column on the right operates the heated seats. There doesn't seem to be a need to turn off the ignition to reheat them (as it were).

The dial on the colum on the left operates the intermittent wipe, clockwise for long and anticlockwise for short.

The heated mirrors seem to come on automatically when the car is started. Not noticed any other weird combination required to get this to work.

J

[swilly]

That button operates the passenger-side ejector seat (Optional extra)

[thb]

I know how you feel Paul R - went out to check my car last night, discovered the secret button and found I do have heated seats! This is after a year of ownership (always wondered what those metal cords were going into the backs of the seats!)

Quick summary:- On a 96 post face lift Chimp:

1. the rotary control on the left side of steering column controls wiper speed

2. the button on the right - heated seats (if fitted?)

3. the button on the top left hand side of the drivers footwell is dash lights on/off

4. the button on the top right hand side of the drivers footwell is the boot release.

[jj_work]

yep, I'd agree with that. I also have a '96 Chimp, and amazingly enough for TVR, the control's are in the same place... Although the one to the left of the dash (for the dash lights) does have a habit of turning them off, and then not back on again for a couple of months...or until it feels like coming back on again...
jj

Edited by jj_work on Wednesday 28th November 22:49