What is this dash button?

[BigJoeSea]

Hello all,

As I'm learning about my '89 LC70, I'm trying to understand what what this 'left-right' rocker button is for (next to the rear defog button). It doesn't seem to do anything, and I'm wondering if it might be for automatic door locks? I can't even find any mention of it on megazip.

Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[snapdragon]

Aerial extension and retraction, I think.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Deleted.... My post was about the wrong rocker switch that the original question was about.

 

[Sundowner]

That's not a factory Toyota switch, I think. I did a Lens search on it to see what I came up with, and the only visual match was a custom installation in a Chevy rod...so, because of that and the strange bezel, it looks like someone bought an aftermarket switch and popped it in. Same with the one on the extreme left.

 

[BigJoeSea]

That's not a factory Toyota switch, I think. I did a Lens search on it to see what I came up with, and the only visual match was a custom installation in a Chevy rod...so, because of that and the strange bezel, it looks like someone bought an aftermarket switch and popped it in. Same with the one on the extreme left.

The one on the far left is for my fog lights. I've considered replacing it, as the indicator on it doesn't light up. However, it may not be in the original location ... or wired properly. Haha

 

[FJ73Texas]

I guess it takes a bmw owner to know that switch.

 

[BigJoeSea]

I guess it takes a bmw owner to know that switch.

View attachment 3717954

Ha! I guess I should check if it's even connected to anything. Maybe someone just used a random BMW switch to fill a hole!

 

[Sundowner]

I guess it takes a bmw owner to know that switch.

I am ashamed and embarrassed that I did not recognize it, now.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I am ashamed and embarrassed that I did not recognize it, now.

Just a tip if you use reverse image search. It helps to crop the photo as much as possible so it can focus on the object you are trying to search. I never owned a BMW so I wouldn't have known what it was otherwise.

 

[Sundowner]

Just a tip if you use reverse image search. It helps to crop the photo as much as possible so it can focus on the object you are trying to search. I never owned a BMW so I wouldn't have known what it was otherwise.

I did exactly that, which was how I got the results that I did.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

I am late to the party. Please bear with me.

From left to right:

1. Fog lights: as mentioned above, it is not OEM. You can check the wiring and then consider installing an OEM switch.
2. Rear wipers: OEM, intermittent and continuous operation.
3. Rear defroster: OEM. It never hurts to check the rear windows' wires for electrical continuity. In old age, the indicator bulb fails to make contact with its socket and sometimes fails to light when the switch is on.
4. As mentioned above, it is not OEM. Maybe it is the front door lock. Check your doors' locks for actuators.

The knobs on your fresh/recirculation and vent controls are not OEM either. They are available, and easy to replace.

Does your truck have an H4 button?





Juan

 

[BigJoeSea]

Hello,

I am late to the party. Please bear with me.

From left to right:

1. Fog lights: as mentioned above, it is not OEM. You can check the wiring and then consider installing an OEM switch.
2. Rear wipers: OEM, intermitent and continuous operation.
3. Rear defroster: OEM. It never hurst to check the rear windows' wires for electrical continuity. In old age, the indicator bulb fails to make contact with its socket and sometimes fails to light when the switch is on.
4. As mentioned above, it is not OEM. Maybe it is the front door lock. Check your doors' locks for actuators.

The knobs on your fresh/recirculation and vent controls are not OEM either. They are available, and easy to replace.

Does your truck have an H4 button?





Juan

Thanks Juan!

I'm trying to make some things a little more OEM, just a little at a time. Definitely some high prices on replacement parts though.

I definitely have door lock solenoids, and they're only activated by the alarm remote ... which is Mazda (ugh).

Yes, I have the 4x4 button on the dash as well. It's missing the cover, but hopefully the replacement I ordered will arrive soon.

Next, I'll need to figure out the missing parts near the 'air cleaner' indicator light on the other side of the steering wheel.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Yes, OEM parts are expensive. Toyota wants all your money and your first born for a part. Thankfully, there are other sources.

Last time I checked, the Air Cleaner cover lens was still available.

There is a socket with a W5W bulb in the back of the lens, and it is easy to replace. Notice that the air filter light turns on only when your filter is completely blocked.

Take the chance to check whether you have a "thermostatic valve" (parts catalog and FSM terminology) in the air filter housing, and whether it is connected to the harness.





Juan

 

[BigJoeSea]

To be honest, I'm not super concerned about the functionality of the 'air cleaner' indicator light, especially as you describe that it won't come on until completely blocked. Mostly, I'm just wanting to fill the weird holes in my dash cleanly.

edit to add: .. and learn about my new, expensive hobby.

 

[Sundowner]

Mostly, I'm just wanting to fill the weird holes in my dash cleanly.

Three solutions for that:

1. Use blank cover plates. They're inexpensive and correct.
2. Scour eBay or similar places for inexpensive factory switches.
3. Junkyards are your friend.

I pick up lots of switches from junkyards and online sites, and I usually don't pay much; Toyota was very cross-platformy with a lot of things, and switches are high on that list. Just don't make the mistake of being model-specific in your search: sellers know that if you're looking for a specific "7x-series" switch you're probably willing to pay a lot for it if you've been unable to find one under that listing name...so they'll often post absurd prices on things just to see if someone bites. Citation: I've seen barely-functional, multi-hundred-dollar (US) heated seat switch sets pulled from junked Land Cruisers vs. $45 for an identical pair, shipped, that were pulled from a Lexus sedan that was barely driven. Literally the same number on the back of the switch body, just three hundred smackers less.

Same goes for junkyards: start scouring them for stuff like OEM sensors, pigtails, fasteners, etc. You can usually walk out with an armload of that stuff for very little, because they're making most of their money on the big-ticket or high-demand items: sure, you'll pay a couple of dollars for a single switch, but that's actually really cheap. I've bought all kinds of fun switches that way, including some rare and supposedly-JDM-only stuff. You just have to know where to look, and that where is "everywhere that's Toyota-flavored."