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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19574  
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You'd be best to check wire colours first and see if there are any signs of those wire colours elsewhere.
Even then, it's possible they could match but not on the same circuit! Who ever installed it is to blame for not using an identifiable switch, often those type of switches are for heated seats or minor items on the interior. Are there any 'accessories' fitted? Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧 Last edited by custom90 on 27th Oct 2017 4:48pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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27th Oct 2017 4:31pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1351 
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It could be wired to anything, it's a common aftermarket switch.
The only way to tell is trace what the wires are connected to. Are there any non standard electrical items fitted anywhere in the vehicle? Are there any signs it's had spot lights or work lights fitted before? Holes in the bodywork or bumper, any relays under the bonnet, behind the dash, or in the seat boxes. It's a bit too obvious to be an immobiliser switch! |
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27th Oct 2017 4:36pm |
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| Greyman110 Member Since: 29 Sep 2017 Location: London Posts: 323
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It's a needle in a haystack!
Its a 2009 XS. The only after market electrics I can see are the working light that is operated by a switch at the back door, the winch and the stereo. I have a split charge system but I can at least rule that out as I had that done. The light on the switch indicates when its on so something should be happening somewhere...I'm going back out to go back over the car!! |
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27th Oct 2017 5:06pm |
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| ARC99 Member Since: 19 Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1831 
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Have you checked the handbook to se if the previous owner made a note of what it is for. Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to  us off.
Richard |
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27th Oct 2017 5:07pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1758 
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I have 7 toggle switches in a custom centre panel that I installed, and none of them are labelled 
Equally, most of them are pretty obvious when you play with them! |
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27th Oct 2017 5:10pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1351
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"the working light that is operated by a switch at the back door"
Check that the switch on the column does not also control the work light. Switch the light on at the back door, then see if the column switch makes any difference. Try various combinations with both switches. "The light on the switch indicates when it's on so something should be happening" No necessarily, the light will come on even if it's not connected to an accessory. IE, if the circuit and accessory have been stripped out, just leaving the switch filling a hole in the dash, but doing nothing. Last edited by DSC-off on 27th Oct 2017 6:12pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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27th Oct 2017 6:02pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16879 
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It is the sort of switch that might be fitted to energise a winch isolator.
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27th Oct 2017 6:03pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1351
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"might be fitted to energise a winch isolator"
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27th Oct 2017 6:15pm |
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| trickster5000 Member Since: 12 Dec 2015 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 489 
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Could it be linked to the rear worklight and reverse switch, ie allows you to turn the worklight on or off when in reverse? Matt.
'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html |
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27th Oct 2017 6:24pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1351
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That's the thing with modified vehicle electrics, the possibilities are endless if you don't know exactly what's been done.
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27th Oct 2017 6:28pm |
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| Zed Member Since: 07 Oct 2017 Location: In the woods Posts: 3019 
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Ejector seat.
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27th Oct 2017 6:34pm |
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| Greyman110 Member Since: 29 Sep 2017 Location: London Posts: 323
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So I turned the switch on with the car off...nothing.
Turned the worklight on (it has the same type of switch), played with different switch positions with both switches...nothing. Turned the car on...still nothing. Have an issue with the stereo mic not working so tested that just in case it was some random mute switch...nothing! Looked at all the mounting points around the car and its never had any spot on the rack or on the bumper. I had the winch out the other day and it worked with the switch in the off position. I have an isolator key for the battery and the winch works from a remote if that makes a difference? Not an ejector seat...also the number plate didn't revolve and guns didn't pop out from the headlights...unfortunately
I will try putting it in reverse and turning on now though! Watch this space...... |
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27th Oct 2017 7:55pm |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720 
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I think some one said before on here that ex-utility company ones with a power take off have a switch that allows to remove the key and keep the engine running.
But other than that as above it could be anything, winch isolator, parking sensors, work lights, all you can do is trace the wires and see where they go or switch it on and off and see what it works. |
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27th Oct 2017 7:57pm |
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| Greyman110 Member Since: 29 Sep 2017 Location: London Posts: 323
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I was so hopefully it was going to be more light when reversing...it wasn't.
I'll buy a beer for anyone who can tell me...even if we meet up and you look at at! |
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27th Oct 2017 8:05pm |
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