Learned something new about my 911

[Tidybuoy]

You know, it's the little things in life that make me happy!

For quite a while, I have thought the intermittent wiper switch (a rotary knob on the dash of my '74) was not working. It would work if I clicked it on, but not if I rotated it any further clockwise.

I've often wished the intermittent wipers would go a little slower but I settled for one slow speed only.

Last week, I discovered that if I rotated the knob clockwise, it actually did work - the wipers just got slower. All this time I thought the switch didn't work - I guess because I never assumed clockwise would be slower and never waited long enough to see the slower settings work. Who da thunk the Germans would set clockwise for less. I guess it's the same logic as the emergency flashers (on is off and off is on)

That's all! Vern

[Craig_D]

Sweet! Sometimes, I feel like I'm using airplane controls in my 911.

[ClickClickBoom]

Nein, Nein, Nein,
The switch rotates to the right, or clockwise, the first notch is the "least" amount of delay, further rotation to the right, increases the amount of delay. You gots to think German, the knob is for intermittent operation, you are dialing in delay!

[T77911S]

i hate to say how long it was before i new what that knob did.

[canamfan]

Wait til' you see the toggle switches underneath your cluster, oh and the key hole by the door latch on the door, those Germans like to ingeniously hide things or just keep them from flashing in your face yet keep them in hands reach, neat stuff

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by T77911S

i hate to say how long it was before i new what that knob did.

Aww jeeze... I didn't know they had an intermittent function... DOH!

I just turned them on and off intermittently - didn't know it was adjustable.

angela

[OsoMoore]

That knob is actually one of my favorite things in the car. Whenever I drive our other car, and the rain is light, it irks me that there is no way to set the right intermitency.

[pavegeno]

Another great day in 911 ownership is when you completely understand your heater, ventilation, and a/c controls.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by pavegeno

Another great day in 911 ownership is when you completely understand your heater, ventilation, and a/c controls.

Oh, I can't wait for that day!

[emac]

Wiper knob? Never used it. She is not allowed in the rain lol
Ernie 81 sc

[OsoMoore]

Originally Posted by pavegeno

Another great day in 911 ownership is when you completely understand your heater, ventilation, and a/c controls.

And they also work, right? I think I'm 70% there on understanding, but I know they don't all work correctly so I fear I'll never achieve Nirvana.

[rinverso]

still trying to figure out all these goofy switches and where they are and what they do. .....for instance why doesn't my ac get cold when i turn on the ac. but that probably doesn't have anything to do with a switch.

[2porscheguy]

Likewise Tidybuoy, I have owned my SC since '91 and I figured that my headlight washers were non-functional since I bought it...not that it's seen much rain. I found out earlier this year after all this time that the headlights had to be TURNED ON for the washers to work....(great big) DUH!

Alex

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by emac

Wiper knob? Never used it. She is not allowed in the rain lol
Ernie 81 sc

You are missing out on a great facet of these cars, they are truly all weather cars, and do it well.
Eric

[SteamWolf]

It took me forever to figure everything out on my SC. Here's a question in the form of a picture from a week after I bought the car.
The owner's book didn't correlate with the dash controls, even though it was a CorrectHandDrive ( :P ) book. Seems mine was some sort of crossover year for controls ('82).



I've since worked out that the switch under the instruments is the mirror adjustment selector, and the knob is for the air conditioning on Australian delivered RHD cars prior to the console mounted controls.

I have had to drive mine in the rain a number of times here (and when it rains 'round here, it really rains!) and it's been a lot of fun. The most danger is to my licence from having too much fun.

[gint]

I flew into SF two weekends or so ago. When it was raining cats and dogs in NorCal. Hopped in my newly acquired 911 and drove it home. Rained all the way to Nevada. Fortunately, Jeff tipped me off on the phone 100 miles out about the intermittent wiper switch. I'm glad I found out when I did.

Steamwolf, cool shot of a right hook dash.

[Hugh R]

Mystery switch A is for controlling the left and right exterior mirrors, I believe. Of course with a RH drive, I could be wrong.

[javadog]

None of you guys own an owner's manual?

JR

[Jerome74911S]

You all must own the deluxe model - I don't have any of these mystery knobs or switches on my plain vanilla '74.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by pavegeno

Another great day in 911 ownership is when you completely understand your heater, ventilation, and a/c controls.

Thanks to RWebb, we do have the factory explaination as well :

It goes like this:

"There have been several questions about this recently, so I thought I would post the Official Factory Explanation:

Subject: RE: Heat Control FAQ for Pooschey


Q: I just bought a Pooschey 911 and can't figure out how to make the heater work -- or the fresh air either. Can you help me?

A: Sure, I can help you. The ventilation system requires that you operate 4 levers to make it work. 3 of the levers are on the dash, and the other is between the seats on newer Pooscheys there are 2 levers between the seats).

The top lever on the dash actually does several different things (remember, it is a fiendish German device, just like the rest of the car). Pushing it to the middle opens the dust ports leading to the windshield (see below for operation of fogging machine and oil mist spray device). Pushing it to the right past the middle also activates the rattling noise-maker device. There are three loudness levels to choose from. Pushing the lever all the way to the left is used to jam the cable so unauthorized personnel cannot operate any of the devices above. The lever also enables the automatic heat exchanger signalling device -- when opening it spews rust particles on the windshield, you should replace the heat exchangers. Also, if opening it causes you to immediately turn blue or purple (not just hair, but skin color) and become unconscious, you (or your estate) should definitely replace the heat exchangers.

The second lever from the top controls the lights on the White House Xmas tree. Move it to the middle to turn on the lights, and all the way to the right to fire 4500 Megatons of Nukes at Iraq.

The bottom lever on the dash is used to replace the windshield when it becomes scratched or pitted with rock chips. It also determines how much hot air goes to your feet as opposed to your head. For example, let's say the engine is completely warmed up and the hot air is burning your feet. If it's a cold day, you can flip the lever to the other side and shoot hot air onto the windshield so it cracks and shatters. Then call your insurance company (you do have insurance, don't you?)

The lever between the seats controls the oil mist spray device. When the engine is warmed up, this lever allows you to blow oil mist into the passenger cabin. Using the top dash lever lets you select whether you want the oil mist to coat the inside of the windshield or to just circulate around your feet. On a newer Pooschey, you have 2 levers on the floor between the seats. The left hand lever lets you open the left side vents which are aimed so they burn the feet of the person in the right hand seat, and the right hand lever lets you open the right side vents which are aimed so they burn the feet of the person in the left hand seat. Of course, each lever will also burn just the tops of the feet of the person in the other seat. If you are driving in the rain (or even stopped in the rain after the car has broken down), these levers also let you spray a fog of water vapor on the windshield, so no one can see in or out of the car -- sort of like privacy glass."