Mystery Switch

The Silver Pellet · 08-10-2008, 10:45 AM

This morning, I installed a smart subwoofer into one of our smarties. (Thanks to SanDiegoJohn for the excellent deal on it!)

I went to disconnect the battery and when I pulled back the carpet, I found the "Mystery Switch". (See first pic below.)

Looked like a power cut-off to me. I pulled the foam and sure enough, it was wired between the frame and the battery's ground terminal. The regular ground strap was still there, but left hanging.

This particular car was in the shop for work on the emissions system. It's possible the technician installed it for ease of work.

I don't know if it is routine for them to then leave it hooked up. Ha ha ha. While it's a convenient solution, I opted to pull it out of the car when buttoning everything up. I'd rather not have any extra pieces rattling around down there. I'm going to drop by the dealer with it, and see if they want it back.

Has anyone else come across one of these installed on your car?

ShaneXman · 08-10-2008, 10:49 AM

Looks like you're ready to go racing. LOL

P.S. - I would have left it there.

Dave777 · 08-10-2008, 10:51 AM

That's a good one. Let us know more later.

Smartbillet · 08-10-2008, 11:05 AM

I think thats for the ejector seat!!

Evilution · 08-10-2008, 11:21 AM

That is a technicians tool.
Sell it, someone on here will want it.

Old smart · 08-10-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Silver Pellet

... Has anyone else come across one of these installed on your car? ...

Yup, the Caterham Seven had one. As the car was both street-drivable and TT race-worthy (a "clubman") it was a SCCA requirement that one be installed and available to the emergency crews. Because the unique red key is removable, USAA insurance gave me credit for an anti-theft device.

For anyone who wants to rig one: Pegasus -Master Battery Cutoff Switch with Alternator Protection (It should have alternator protection)