What does this button do?

[Poor-sche Lover]

I'm still trying to get to know my '88 cabriolet. I don't have an owner's manual so I can't look at the diagrams. I have several switches and knobs that I don't quite know what they do. The top has been converted to manual, so I'm sure some of them are dummy switches by now. I have to know, though. From left to right, here's what I know.

1) This is a small black vertical knob with a silver face. It twists with a click, much like the intermittent wiper knob. I have no idea what it does.

2) This is a forward/backward black toggle switch. I entertain the possibility that it may be aftermarket. I have no idea what it does.

3) This is a forward/backward black rocker switch that still makes noise as I move it. I think this is supposed to control the cabriolet top. I'm just surprised it still tries to operate.

4) This is a left/right black rocker switch. This one I actually know. It operates the left/right mirrors. Again, I'm surprised that there seems to be no "neutral" position. To the right is the right mirror, and "flat" is the left mirror.

5) This one is the kicker. I didn't even know it was there until last week. It is similar to the toggle switch on 2). However, it is mounted in the rear corner of the glove box. Again, I would expect that this is aftermarket, but I can't figure out what it's for. I think the wires splice into the loom that goes into the radio. Has anybody heard of any switch like this?

Thanks,

Alan

[crustychief]

There are no pictures.. so where are these knobs located?

[Poor-sche Lover]

Sorry, I probably should have mentioned that. 1) - 4) are all on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. 5) is self-explanatory.

I'll get a picture tomorrow.

[crustychief]

3 sounds like the sunroof/cab top switch as mentioned, my car is a 79 and the owners manual is in the glove box at the body shop right now. Someone will post pretty soon though.

[Poor-sche Lover]

Here are the pictures...

[equality72521]

The two left ones look aftermarket.

[porschenut]

The one in the glove box is aftermarket too. Crazy place to put a toggle switch.

[Poor-sche Lover]

That's what I figured. I just can't imagine what they're for. I keep hoping it's for hyperspeed or something cool like that.

[steely]

I think only switches 1 thru 3 may be associated with hyper-speed or sub-warp, but you've mentioned no evidence of a flux-capacitor - what year did you say this was?

Seriously, I agree w/ you, your #4 is stock, and there is no neutral position.
Number 3 may be stock, since it coincides nicely with the indent on the panel.
You've definitely got some investigation to do.

I guess possibilities are extra lights, sound, or engine, batt, fuel relay cutoffs, but they're usually hidden (glove box candidate).

[DonMo]

One is for the toggling of the outside mirror adjustments, the other I belive is for the headlight washer.

[911boost]

#3 is for the automatic top. Where is the noise coming from when you press it?

#4 is for the outside mirror adjustment. Choose the side, right and left, and then use the control switch on the door panel.

The rest are aftermarket, and cheesy looking, so I would be suspect of what they do.

Bill

[kenikh]

probably to an alarm...look for the controller box.

[Poor-sche Lover]

I probably will get rid of them eventually, but I'll have to find plugs to fill the holes for now. I have not tried to flip the glove box switch while it's running. i might do that. The car has the factory alarm, though it's not hooked up anymore. As far as looking for the controller box, there are so many unidentified boxes under there, that I can't tell what's factory and what isn't. We'll see what happens. By the way, I don't have headlight washers on my car.

[Zeke]

Both the lever types are aftermarket as is the rotary. The rotary sounds as if it is a potentiometer with an off position. Perhaps it replaces the part of the headlight switch that controls the instruments. I'll bet the glove box one is some type of "hidden" kill switch.

Can you trace the wires? Any wire to switches like these will probably not be in the factory harness, but could be wrapped to look like one. Usually you can tell a bogus wire on the fuse panel. Few dew that as well as the factory.