Mysterious Button?

[IanBlackburn]

Just under the dash to the left of the steering column I have a button (about the same place as the boot release but on the other side). Pressing it turns off the instrumentation lights (but doesn't affect the stereo), but doesn't seem to do anything else. Can't find anything in the manual about it? Anyone know? Am I being stupid?
It's a 4.0l 99T

>>> Edited by IanBlackburn on Friday 7th December 07:33

[rthierry]

Well, the answer is in your question... The button is used to turn of the dash-board lights. Now for what purpose... I dunno ! 'cos dash-board lights on my Chimaera are a long way from blinding me.

[yum]

I have always been curious as to why they should bother with such a button. Has anyone actually used it for any purpose?

Does anyone from the factory read these pages, and can they provide an explanation?

[rthierry]

... suppose to avoid reflection in the screen when you drive hard during the night..

[plotloss]

I had heard that it can be used as a fan override switch.

Not sure if this is the case though, does seem to be the oddest feature I have ever seen. With the possible exception of the shaver point in the Austin Seven.

Matt.

[.mark]

Yes I've used it, along very dark country lanes. Give it a try it really helps, you can focus on the road without these rather bright lights bouncing up and down in your peripheral vision.

[andymadmak]

I heard it was the
"No officer I didn't have any idea how fast I was going 'cos look, my dash lights have failed, so please let me off.." button

Andy

[s2ooz]

the fan override, is an additional switch than can be fitted on the right next to the boot release, on a hot day in traffic, you can get the fans on early so you avoid it getting hot in the first place.

I guess a light on/off is cheaper than a reostat type dial to alter the brightness??

[ATG]

It switches you to "silent running" mode which is handy if you are about to launch torpedoes.

I'm sure you're right about the night driving reflection thinking from Blackpool ... of course fitting better headlights might have been a more sensible approach.

[yum]

Unbelieveable.

Do you lot sit on the website ALL day? I've got an excuse (I banked my redundancy cheque yesterday), but six new entries in just 40 minutes?

[.mark]

What is all this about dodgy headlights? Mine are better than my company euroboxes!!
Perhaps a previous owner upgraded them, but I don't fancy removing half the skin from my hand/arm to find out!!

[rthierry]

Rich,

Where did you get you fan over-ride switch installed? and how much did it cost?
Thanks
R

[yum]

My headlights are good too - can't see the problem.

I got a fan override switch installed during a service by the dealer. I think it is really useful to stop the temperature rising too fast (when the switch comes in at 92, the temp is already whizzing up and the fans are going to have to work hard. It also has the benefit of being a secondary system for when the electric fan thermostat dies, to which I was told they are prone. They installed it into the plastic steering wheel fascia on the left hand side ahead of the wiper timing wheel. Don't think they charged me much for it.

R

[cockers]

I think Saabs have a similar switch, which turns off all instruments other than the speedo, their reasoning being that speed is the one thing you should be aware of. I prefer not to know.

PS - My headlights are shite.

[IanBlackburn]

quote:
It switches you to "silent running" mode which is handy if you are about to launch torpedoes.

That has to be the best reason - I'll go with that one

[Jason F]

My headlights are not worth the effort either really.. How much (and how easy) is it to upgrade them ?

The Dash off switch is also quite handy when it is just dusk and dark enough to need sidelights..

[aovcerb]

Easiest way to fit fan overide, locate themo switch on ali swirl tank, 2 x wires going in, remove wires and spade terminal add additional lengths of wires to each, and fit new spade terminals, run wires into car and connect to switch hence bypassing themo switch on tank. Suggest you do not use the plastic crimp on terminals but solder all joins and make sure the wire is correct size to handle amps

[rthierry]

Easy Tiger you don't expect me to start playing with the electrical system of my car... I would probably manage to set it on fire

[harfiest]

I have found a use for the switch!
The indicator warning light isn't very clear and the tick of the indicators not very loud, especially when the roof is off - once or twice the indicators hadn't cancelled and I hadn't noticed. So I have had the switch wired up to a buzzer connected to the indicators. I can now use the switch to turn the buzzer on when the roof is off.

Steve

[Corin Denton]

I really don't know what all the fuss is about my headlights are great...unless I go too fast and blow the candles out !!!