Mystery Dash Switch in 1989 Sunsport—Heating Element or Defroster?

[Wakesupremo]

My 1989 model sunsport has several switches on the dash/ fascia, most of which I have discovered what they do. One however, has got me baffled. It is to the right of the steering wheel at the top and has a symbol on it very similar to a diesel engine preheat symbol although the symbol is longer. It is similar to an electricians drawing of a light filament. It is next to the electric step switch. Can anybody shed any light please?

 

[Chuck v]

More information will result in better analysis -- can you post a picture of the actual switch and icon ??

Is this switch a momentary action, alternate action, push button or toggle, etc? Does the switch icon match any indicator light on the dash?

Most diesel preheat/glow plug dash indicators look like this:

When you say your switch marking is "similar" but "longer" do you mean more turns, or what exactly...?

Help us help you, and thanks in advance for adding useful information to your inquiry.

Chuck

 

[Wakesupremo]

Hi again Chuck. Thanks for the reply. Its a rocker switch, not momentary. Its the top right. Theres two overhead fans, then, I think, the step switch and then the one I can't figure out. Thanks again.

 

[Chuck v]

Thanks for the picture...that helps for sure. The icon is for an electric heating element -- but likely NOT for the glow plugs as they are intermittent duty for every diesel I am aware of...like this modern one which is definitely MOMENTARY:

Perhaps it is for a defroster, or maybe even for a block heater (although block heaters are usually AC/mains powered.) Is your auxiliary generator a diesel one and did it have a preheat or block heater? Usually those are grouped with the start controls and hour meter.

 

[Wakesupremo]

Hi again. Im not surprised that I couldn't work out what it did. I have taken the complete dash panel out and there were no wires on that switch apart from the illumination wires!!!! Obviously didn't do anything then!!
Is there a secret to removing the ignition switch. I expected it to just unscrew but it doesn't

 

[Wakesupremo]

Heres a pic of the ign switch.

 

[Chuck v]

The way this used switch is shown on line, it must be a removal puzzle that few have the skill/patience to solve! Side views don't add much information on how it goes together.

If the chrome ring does not thread off the cast pot-metal part, I have no other suggestions. Note that this seller drilled two holes to use some sort of spanner, and still was not successful...

 

[UKMike]

I have a 1988 sun sport with the exact same switch. I was told a while back what it did. Sure it was on here somewhere in another thread it got mentioned.