Secret Switch?

[horsepower]

When I first bought my 90 (1995 300tdi), I found a tiny toggle switch hidden up under the dash - above the switches on the right of the steering column.

No-one has ever been able to tell me what it is for - and it doesn't seem to be connected to anything (at least nothing happens when you switch it either way).

Anyhow, I was going through the paperwork the other day, and noticed it listed as an 'other item' on the Used Vehicle Order from Barretts of Canterbury (28/01/98).

Land Rover secret switch £40.00

Does anyone know what this was fitted for?

[Sharpshooter]

Have you tried starting the engine when it is switched on??

It may be a primative immobiliser. :)

[Guardian.]

NOT A Speaker switch is it, my defender has a switch under the dash to go between speakers(factory fitted)

[Defender]

It's a 'Cloaking Device' switch.  :lol: :lol:
You know....your motor always seems to go into Stealth mode when passing junctions & the idiot waiting to pull out looks directly through you...& then pulls out into your path.   :shock:
This switch disables the device. :lol:

[Bob696]

I have a rocker switch hidden away down towards the heater vent that is an imoboliser. Found it by accident 2 years after I had the car  :oops:

[Saffy]

Talking about finding odd things... I found 3 secret relays on the rear tub quarter finisher panel in the 110 yesterday, all triggered off the reverse switch. Funny thing is the standard reverse lamp has never worked but the click of a loud relay always puzzled me   Because I have a storage boxe bolted in on that side I have never until now investigated.
Originally the truck was special purpose modified with an integrated onboard airbrake system for a multi trailer train for carrying people, raised exhaust exit, PA system. Not sure what all 3 relays where for, but one had remains of trailer hitch wiring on it, other had the reversing alarm and third is a mystery. Have now wired up a better over door reversing spot lamp to one of the relays, with switch to use it as a work lamp also. Also fixed the non working reversing lamp - broken wire.
 

[Bunnie]

in my old clio i had a similar switch which wouldnt do anything untill i read through the manual and a peice of paper fell out saying about an imobilizer switch in the glove box... this explained the mystery key! so tryed it out and ta da the little red lights on the stearing colum started flashing... so im guessing they ran the switch to make it a little more discrete when getting out the car (it was on the bottom on the plastic dash pannel thingymy so you could easily switch is as you got out)

[Disco Matt]

I've helped add a similar device to a motorhome before now. Obviously I won't give full details but it enables you to disconnect the starter solenoid. A simple battery isolator was out as the vehicle is connected to a mains power supply when parked at home which keeps both vehicle and leisure batteries trickle charged.

[diggerdog36]

Dunno, but its not that secret anymore!!!

[Disco-Ron]

A few years ago i built a Mini from abare shell from the factory, i made the wiring loom, so i made it that there were two switches that had to be in the right position for the fuel pump relay to be triggered....... one of them was the fog light switch..... but the car didn't have a fog light!! :dance:

[Range Rover Blues]

It's a 'Cloaking Device' switch.  :lol: :lol:
You know....your motor always seems to go into Stealth mode when passing junctions & the idiot waiting to pull out looks directly through you...& then pulls out into your path.   :shock:
This switch disables the device. :lol:

Mine just comes on with the ignition, that's why it's called "the Spanish Inquisition", because no-one expects it :lol:

[Lee_D]

I know what this is for............  but as you have already identified, it's a secret.

If we told everyone then your car would be worth £40 less  :doh:

[tjolliffe]

I've got a switch there too, mine operates interior and dash lighting  :-k, not sure that what is actually intended for though.... :D

[horsepower]

It's for the passenger ejector seat!

How do you get an angry woman out of a tree?

[Banstock]

i have the same switch on my TD5 it works the front spots :D

[diggerdog36]

I've got a switch there too, mine operates interior and dash lighting  :-k, not sure that what is actually intended for though.... :D

I have one of them too, one way it turns the interior light on, one way it turns the dash lights off and in the middle its normal dash on interior off????

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

Is it a Babe Magnet switch?

I think mine's fitted with one but I reckon it's stuck on all of the time.  :^o  :^o  :^o

[Suvvey]

Have you checked your side or brake lights with the switch in different positions?