What the $%^ does this switch do?
 

I have an 86 Cabriolet Carrera convertable. On the center console there is what appears to be a defrost switch slightly above and next to the A/C knobs. What is it for?

Gordon

wing mirror heating

I think it is a rear defrost switch. Although I guess your Cabrio doesn't have a rear defrost, maybe they used the same console for coupes & Cabrios, or maybe some PO put a coupe console in your Cabrio?

+1

I didn't even realize I have heated mirrors!

Ok
 

Thanks. I need to open the console to get at the A/C motor speed switch anyway. I'll check the wing mirror wiring to see if that's it!

Gordon

Johnson Rod activator

That would be the right-most pedal down in the driver's footwell.

For the coupes it was a rear window demister and for the Cabs it was used to heat the wing mirrors. This was for ROW cars, not sure if the same applied for US/Canada vehicles. Easy to check, just remove the mirror glass and there should be an element visible on the back side with a 2 pin connector.

So when is the button actually "on". It lights up when it is popped out but that seems counter-intuitive.

Pull it out to turn on. If your parking/headlights are on it should glow a bit when off, and light up more when you pull it out to turn it on.