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Mystery Switch On The Dash

Harpua216

Well-Known Member
Joined
June 10, 2011
Messages
267
Reaction score
11
City, State
PA
Year, Model & Trim Level
1999 Mercury Mountaineer
Below is a picture of a mystery (to me, at least) switch on my 04 Mountaineer AWD. Its where the 4X4 switches go for the Ex's I believe. I looked in the manual and even for a replacement part, but could not find any.

Thinking maybe an aftermarket theft or kill switch (although it doesnt kill or get tripped off).

It does light up red when the car is in 2 or running. any thoughts or help as to what it is or how i can chase it down without taking the dash out or pulling fuses one by one (which may be my only shot and might not even tell me what it is) would by amazing.

20160501_180952_zpsuafhch16.jpg


thanks.
 



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Possibly for auxiliary lighting? Underglow?
PS: I love mysteries!
 






then welcome to my mystery machine!!! Scooby Snacks in the back,,,,

I can check AUX Lights, but everything seems stock except for that. i checked for a Nitrous tank, but no luck... and it wasnt turbo boost, thankfully i have good brakes after changing some hoses on the fly last night in the rain.

Thanks for that idea. any ideas on what add-ons they had for the Mounties that would go there, or ford in general if there was 4X4 switches needed?
 






It's easy enough to pop the trim off. Feel for the 6 stab pins and lever next to them. At least you will be able to see if it's factory stuff or custom wiring.

It looks like a Brown Wire Mod but Mountaineers don't fit the requirements.
 






ill pop off the switch in the morning. thing is, i cant even find any add-on parts and it surely looks like a fitted piece thats molded, not cut, but i cant even find anything alarm related or the like even aftermarket that looks like it.
 






looks like thats where people put the rocker switches for fog light kits, but mine has them stock. wondering if there were others on this truck, but i dont see any holes or mounts..hmm..
 






It is an aftermarket switch, I have installed many just like it.
 






thanks drdoom. gonna chase it tomorrow and see if i can track it down. no neon underglow yet....yet..
 












Most likely a switch for off road lights. maybe attached to a brush guard.
 






The bumpers on mountaineers aren't capable of putting on a brush guard without cutting major holes. My guess is someone had an accessories and took it out before they got rid of it. I have wanted to do the same thing for an LED light bar.
 






Flux Capacitor Hyper-Space jump switch. Do not, repeat, DO NOT, push that switch above 30mph. You've been warned.
 






History Eraser Button?
 






I've seen those buttons installed before. It's a 'thread' starting button. Near as I can tell, you flipped it.
 






Ha-ha good one!
 






still nothing. I want it to be interstellar overdrive, or a "fix whatever" button. but its not.

if someone had an accessory and disconnected it would there be no power to the switch?

my wife has the car and I am in upper control arm heaven and chasing down the shakes with my 99 so i haven't concentrated on the new 04 Mounty yet, but her time is near.
 






This sounds more like Spaceballs than Back to the Future.:D
(Where are the smilies?)
Oh. There they are, in the "Go Advanced" button.

Anyway...power on the switch. No telling. Some people wire power to the switch and ground the accessories, and some people wire power to the accessories and use the switch to ground them. It depends on how the person thinks and what's convenient that day. That's why Harbor Freight sells Centek brand multi-meters for $4.
 






I have three switches. I suppose if I ever sell the Ex, I'll remove the accessories and wire the switches together, so they power each other. :D
 






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