3 switches under steering column

[cwiert]

Hi... I've got 3 switches under the steering column that I don't know what they do. The 2 outside ones are black, and the center one is red. I looked through the owner's manual and don't see any mention of these... so I'm wondering if they're stock or something a PO installed afterward.

[JhwShark]

I am not that familiar with the '88...Post some pic's

I have a two dial potentiometers and the black push button that are stock and what appears to be a SPST switch that was used as a kill switch (Bat).

Jon

[Nixon]

On the right side there are some controls for the intensive wiper system and on the left a roller type switch for dash lights. If you have toggle type switches then I'm not sure. Hope that helps. I'm still a rookie....... Nix

[cwiert]

here's a pic...

[JhwShark]

Well they look good, though I have no idea what they are for?? These are mounted on the center lower Pod area under the cruise control. What happens when you switch them? The only recommendation would be to put a meter to them and see what the voltage is when switched. They appear to be SPST and the red one may illuminate if it is switched on?

To really check, trace the wires and see where they go in the control panel, aux relays, devices... What after market items have been added? These may be for added stuff...I'm sure your thinking this through.

I do see the dial pot and black pushbutton on the right side of the pod; the stock stuff for the intermittent washer...

Jon

[MPDano]

The red one is used to initialize the flux capacitor. The 2 outer black ones are used at the same time (safety switches) to engage the flux capacitor to the rear wheels. Very rare and expensive Porsche option for this year only.

[cwiert]

Originally Posted by MPDano

The red one is used to initialize the flux capacitor. The 2 outer black ones are used at the same time (safety switches) to engage the flux capacitor to the rear wheels. Very rare and expensive Porsche option for this year only.

SWEET!!!!!!!!
And all this time i've been looking on ebay for a Hot Tub Time Machine, I've got my very own time machine in the garage! Wanna go for a ride back to the future? I'm driving/flying.

JhwShark - I just discovered them today (I haven't had the car a week yet) ... and I currently have my board with all the fuses and relays in my basement so I can clean it all out (the car has some electrical issues). Once I put it all back together in the next day or so, I'll be sure to try the switches and see what they do , or in MPDano's case, where/when the car takes me!

[Landseer]

Some folks with autos have wired a kickdown switch bypass.

[cwiert]

I turned the ignition on, hit the switches and a light came on on the instrument panel. See pic below. Only one switch did anything, and it illuminated the green light on the left. There's a red light in the center of the panel, and a yellow light on the right side. I guess it's safe to assume these led's weren't a standard feature. I don't know WHAT the PO was doing or why he did this. And I can only assume that the other 2 switches at one point controlled those other two lights. Any theories????

[MPDano]

Since that stuff looks non-stock. You need to trace the wires to where they go. If the PO would have out the yellow led in the middle, you would have a sideways traffic stop light on your instrument cluster

[Landseer]

One could be kickdown bypass, one could be WOT switch bypass.

Easiest would be to call the owner?

[cwiert]

Originally Posted by Landseer

One could be kickdown bypass, one could be WOT switch bypass.

Easiest would be to call the owner?

What's a WOT bypass? Regardless, at some point I'll follow the wires and see where they go.
I did contact the PO and apparently this is the work of the previous, previous owner. figures.
just like with my '88 944, sometimes all I think I do is fix the F-ups of POs!

[stepson]

On my '88, there was a switch kinda like this one that was wired to an UNGO system (aftermarket alarm). I knew it was gonna be removed when I was driving the car back from California across the desert at triple digit speed and one of the UNGO boxes fell out on my feet. I damn near had a come apart thinking freaking spiders were crawling on me with all the wires and $hit on my legs. Got calmed down and exited the first exit I could and luckily that freaking box could be unplugged. I unplugged it and tiewrapped the wires up out of the way and never had another problem till after I got home with the car and disconnected the battery. Took me 2 hours to get everything disconnected and the beeping stopped.
YMMV

[MPDano]

Funny you mention this alarm dropping fiasco. I also have a good story to tell. I had a 3rd Party Alarm on one of my cars (not a 928) and it also fell. Not on my legs with Spiders, but behind my brake pedal. Yes, "BEHIND" it, which means "NO" Brakes. Luckily there was no traffic and I was able to sweep the box out from under the pedal with my foot before I had to use my brakes. Moral of the story, "Always" go over somebody elses work. They put the box under the drivers dash with a single zip tie

[Landseer]

The wide open throttle switch is on the throttle body. Under conditions of heavy throttle, it triggers to signal the brain to provide a step change timing to give it max power. Some folks have installed switches to bypass the need to be so deep on the throttle, and to ensure it actually works due to the fact its got some weakness.

Similarly, on the kickdown switch located at the base of the gas pedal. Some people wire a separate switch in parallel to kick down earlier.

Not saying this is the answer, just a possibility. The dash manipulation is pretty intrusive, btw.

[stepson]

Maybe it was a NOS set-up

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by stepson

Maybe it was a NOS set-up

Isn't NOS a Single Button set up? Hence, the Flux Capacitor Black Buttons.

[stepson]

well, I was thinking 3 buttons : Ready...Set ....GO