I have a toggle switch on the roof of the glove box of my Suburban. I'm embarrassed to admit I have know idea what it is for. It was on the truck from the factory. Can someone enlighten me?

You get to play the "Follow the Wire" game!

Not sure on a Burb but most switches in the glove box opens a trunk, does it open a back door or hatch?

Maybe its Nitrous!

probably an aftermarket add on maybe to disable for theft, or someone put it there for high idle operation if it's wires go to center plug on PCM that would be my guess

Not sure on a Burb but most switches in the glove box opens a trunk, does it open a back door or hatch?

Maybe its Nitrous! :lol:


I haven't tried the switch while driving...but I have while the truck is parked and nothing seems to happen. I don't have a clue..the switch just says on and off?

I haven't tried the switch while driving...

Oh thank goodness. Never EVER touch that switch while driving......

Drop the 'box and trace the wires - no telling what the prevowner had in mind.

Drop the 'box and trace the wires - no telling what the prevowner had in mind.

I'm the original owner...it came like that from the factory.

I'm the original owner...it came like that from the factory.

So whats it do?

Could it turn off the airbags?

Did you try the owners manual?

Can you see it from a normal angle or do you have to bend over a bit to see it? I'm gonna go look in mine now.

I'm the original owner...it came like that from the factory.

///////////////////////////

Well you being the original owner I would think there would be some mention of the switch in your Owners~Manual?.

This isn't a conversion company vehicle, such as custom craft or waldoch by any chance, is it??

I'm the original owner...it came like that from the factory.

So What did you hook it up too?
:joke:
I've never seen anything like that from the factory but I would really like to know where it goes.

maybe your kid did it when they used the burban for that weekend get away?

This isn't a conversion company vehicle, such as custom craft or waldoch by any chance, is it??

No..


I have looked through the manual but there is no mention of this switch.

So What did you hook it up too?
:joke:
I've never seen anything like that from the factory but I would really like to know where it goes.

maybe your kid did it when they used the burban for that weekend get away?

Kids aren't drivin just yet...soon though.

:think: Since it's in the glovebox, it doesn't make sense that it would be for lighting or anything else that's driving related...I would think that for things like fog lights, aux. electric fan, etc would be closer to the driver's reach so he/she could flip the switch without looking away from the road.
I'm also not trying to call you a liar here, but I have never seen a truck come with a toggle switch installed from the factory. (Although conversion-companies love those things)
When you figure out what it does, or what it was supposed to do, let us know..You've got my curiousity..:)

GM doesn't use toggle switches - they use fat pushbutton or rocker switches.

Maybe it was one of those exec drivers, used but sold as new?

At any rate - drop the box and trace the wires.

Also, post the wire colors - could give a clue from the service manual.

Aliens!

Is it hooked up? Have you ever had anyone work on your vehicle adding something aftermarket?

Maybe they put the switch in and realized it wasn't the best spot after the fact

Aliens!

Is it hooked up? Have you ever had anyone work on your vehicle adding something aftermarket?

Maybe they put the switch in and realized it wasn't the best spot after the fact

Thats possible...i haven't checked to see if it is wired..it's hard to see behind..I will check that out.

Well Now that you have all our attention what did you call this meeting for.

Well Now that you have all our attention what did you call this meeting for.

Nothing like a mystery switch to get people scratching their heads.

I dunno bout yours....

But my dads mid 80's chryler lebaron had one of those voice modules in it.

*ding* A DOOR IS AJAR

*ding* PLEASE FASTEN SEAT BELTS

and so on. Dad thought it was the neatest think since sliced bread.

One day while I was in tech school, Dad calls me up asking me to look at his car, becase the voice quit working. I pled ignorance. Hell, at the time I barely knew what a transistor did. Dad persisted and to appease him, I figured I would make a great show for him.

I hauled out my test equipment and tried to look like I knew what I was doing. The whole time I was thinking about how long to fake it before giving up. I actually stumbled upon the voice command module and tracked the audio wires going into the stereo. I happend across a pair of wires, all by themselves heading across the underside of the dash. Hmmm.

They seemed to go into the glovebox. I pulled everything out of the glovebox, and sure as hell, way in the back, there was a switch marked VOICE COMMAND ON-OFF. Dad musta jammed something into the glove box and accidently slid the switch over to off . I slid it back to on and started the car.

*ding* PLEASE FASTEN SEAT BELT


Dad was overcome with pride. He swelled up and told all his neighbors about what a genius his son was with electronics.

To his dying day, Dad never even knew their was a switch in the glovebox of that car.

Has your 'Burb stopped talking to you?

Tim

I dunno bout yours....

But my dads mid 80's chryler lebaron had one of those voice modules in it.

*ding* A DOOR IS AJAR

*ding* PLEASE FASTEN SEAT BELTS

and so on. Dad thought it was the neatest think since sliced bread.

One day while I was in tech school, Dad calls me up asking me to look at his car, becase the voice quit working. I pled ignorance. Hell, at the time I barely knew what a transistor did. Dad persisted and to appease him, I figured I would make a great show for him.

I hauled out my test equipment and tried to look like I knew what I was doing. The whole time I was thinking about how long to fake it before giving up. I actually stumbled upon the voice command module and tracked the audio wires going into the stereo. I happend across a pair of wires, all by themselves heading across the underside of the dash. Hmmm.

They seemed to go into the glovebox. I pulled everything out of the glovebox, and sure as hell, way in the back, there was a switch marked VOICE COMMAND ON-OFF. Dad musta jammed something into the glove box and accidently slid the switch over to off . I slid it back to on and started the car.

*ding* PLEASE FASTEN SEAT BELT


Dad was overcome with pride. He swelled up and told all his neighbors about what a genius his son was with electronics.

To his dying day, Dad never even knew their was a switch in the glovebox of that car.

Has your 'Burb stopped talking to you?

Tim



My truck never has talked to me ..per say...but I did post awhile back about some strange grunting noises coming from the glovebox. Maybe it's supossed to talk?
:drop_mout

I wonder if the assembly plant had a slow boring night. Installed this to make people wonder what it does. When I worked at the dealership (way back when) we had a car come in with a rattle in the door. I ended up tearing that door all apart and found a piece of string with some washers and nuts on it hanging down with a note on it asking how long it took to find this. It had to come from factory that way as it was a new car. convinced me that line assembly people have sense of humor as well. Wonder if this switch might be something like that

I just ran out and took a quick look...it is wired. Two good sized black wires going over to the drivers side. I wasn't able to follow them all the way just yet. I was kinda hoping it wasn't wired and maybe it was as the post above theorized.

.....the plot thickens...


Can't say I've ever heard or seen this before mp. Keep up the search and let us know.

Bet it's an underhood lite...............

I dunno bout yours....

But my dads mid 80's chryler lebaron had one of those voice modules in it.

*ding* A DOOR IS AJAR

*ding* PLEASE FASTEN SEAT BELTS

and so on. Dad thought it was the neatest think since sliced bread.

One day while I was in tech school, Dad calls me up asking me to look at his car, becase the voice quit working. I pled ignorance. Hell, at the time I barely knew what a transistor did. Dad persisted and to appease him, I figured I would make a great show for him.

I hauled out my test equipment and tried to look like I knew what I was doing. The whole time I was thinking about how long to fake it before giving up. I actually stumbled upon the voice command module and tracked the audio wires going into the stereo. I happend across a pair of wires, all by themselves heading across the underside of the dash. Hmmm.

They seemed to go into the glovebox. I pulled everything out of the glovebox, and sure as hell, way in the back, there was a switch marked VOICE COMMAND ON-OFF. Dad musta jammed something into the glove box and accidently slid the switch over to off . I slid it back to on and started the car.

*ding* PLEASE FASTEN SEAT BELT


Dad was overcome with pride. He swelled up and told all his neighbors about what a genius his son was with electronics.

To his dying day, Dad never even knew their was a switch in the glovebox of that car.

Has your 'Burb stopped talking to you?

Tim

My parents rented a car with this "feature" when we went to Disneyland as kids - the SINGLE most ANNOYING thing ever put into a car -:t-:t-:t

Bet it's an underhood lite...............

I do have an underhood light...but it doesn't work. I replaced the bulb but that's not it. It's been awhile since it's worked but it always came on when i popped the hood...or was always on?

Does anyone else have this feature and is that what the mystery switch is for?

Pull the knee courtesy panel beneath the steering column, see if the black wires are there, and where they are routed from there.

I am dyslexic, but I'm fairly certain that what we're all trying to tell you is - that switch is not a normal rpo, and that you will have to tell us what it is - with our help, if needed.

Did you have a car alarm installed? LoJack?

do you have a remote starter when i got a remote starter put on my 99 burban they put in a toggel switch so i could disable it if i had to take it to the shop

geez.......just turn the thing on and see if you get your door charms, "voices" or hood light works....:grd:

geez.......just turn the thing on and see if you get your door charms, "voices" or hood light works....:grd:

Ya at highway speeds,nip it in the bud :D

Ok...I found out what it does. When it's off the starter won't turn over. That's It??? I found that by accident...when I went to start the truck...no turnover:eek: I was like WTF. After a few seconds it dawned on me to check the switch and of course it was off. I had left it off while fiddling with it this afternoon.

What is the use for this?

I don't have a remote starter that i'm aware of.

How many miles were on the truck when you bought it?

I'm the original owner...it came like that from the factory.

He says he was the original owner.

Sounds to me like it would be to prevent theft. But, the fact that he is the original owner, and did not put it there himself, is very odd. Now, everyones left wondering how it got there.

How many miles were on the truck when you bought it?

I bought the truck new. I don't recall...but i'm sure it was typical for a new vehicle because if it would have been out of the ordinary i would remember for sure. Less than 50 would be a good bet. It was a special order and it took about 5-6 mo to arrive. As far as car alarms, remote starter or aftermarket stuff...i've never had anything like that done. Just regular maintenance at the dealer + some warrenty work on the compressor the first couple of years that I owned it. Since then brakes and oil changes, regular stuff...recently, a remote pmd. Thats it. I always thought it was odd for something from the factory but it has always been there since I can remember.

Ok - that switch would be tied into the large yellow or large purple wire to\from the Park\Neutral saftey switch, if you want to remove it.

BTW - thanks, the anxiety was killin' me!;)

Ok - that switch would be tied into the large yellow or large purple wire to\from the Park\Neutral saftey switch, if you want to remove it.

BTW - thanks, the anxiety was killin' me!;)

Is it an anti theft device?

I'm just thinking it was a GM's car at the dealership and he didn't want anyone else using it.

Or you bought it in a high crime area and it was DEALER installed to prevent theft

My guesses

Not now - everyone knows where it is.............):h

Not now - everyone knows where it is.............):h

True ):h

Go through the RPO code list in the glove box, see if it's listed as a special option not in the FAQ list

Is it an anti theft device?

no, it is a piss off device. When it is off you get real pissed because your truck will not start.

Jim

I had a bad concussion once, lost a few days of my life, LOL.

Good that the kids didn't hit it, you'd be swearing in the wind why none of these new starters work.

I was about to say it might be a switch to turn off the odometer. I knew several people that had those wired up. :mad:

Glad to hear it wasn't that, though.

its from the dealership, they put it in there so that when you had a problem under warranty and you bring your tuck in to have the problem fixed, they would open the glove box and flip the switch and go,

"Well, there's ur prob, you got a dead starter!"

They tell you go home and flip the switch, chuckle at their trickery and park it outside. They call you the next day, have you come and pay the 500.00 to replace the starter and send you on ur way.

So it is "revenue switch", that is what I think.
hence, dealership = stealership

I'm inclined to agree with Mackin, as opposed to a worst-case scenario - mp4037 is having a senior moment, with respect to that switch.;)

Go through the RPO code list in the glove box, see if it's listed as a special option not in the FAQ list

Dang, I was guessing the RPO 007 code "Ejection Seat over ride switch" :cool:

When I did PDI's at a dealer, EVERY vehicle went straight from me to the detailers and then had an alarm installed. This was done to EVERY vehicle that we sold due to insurance stipulations in the policy. I bet this was a similar device for the dealerships to meet there insurance criteria. We normally removed them before the customers took delivery of the vehicle, but some customers wanted them left in. And others didn't know they were there and the salesman didn't know that the alarm was supposed to be removed and would send the customer down the road with it still in the vehicle.

So, let's do a poll..............

Everyone look for a toggle switch, or empty hole, hidden in the glovebox in their vehicle - let's see if this is a universal dealer patch, or limited to certain areas in each city\area

List your city\area.

Mine's too old (like me) - it's an '89 GMC crewcab.

:nopics:I have a toggle switch on the roof of the glove box of my Suburban. I'm embarrassed to admit I have know idea what it is for. It was on the truck from the factory. Can someone enlighten me?

never found anything like that in my 97 but in my 80 chev i found a toggle under the dash hooked up to a claxton horn(them old model T deals), pulled about 80 feet of wire off it that wasnt conected to anything and 6-7 feet of instrument piping 5/8" dia. that truck was screwed and it screwed my wallet

16245


The Toggle Switch:ro)

I never heard of a dummy switch installed from the factory. Never heard of washers in a door panel before now either. Also, a dealership shouldn't have installed a switch if he special ordered it should they?

I have been following this thread and thought it would die.....but that settles it, I must join in.

I would like to add my proffesional opinion and I would have to conclude that the object in the above picture is indeed a "toggle" switch.

I think I would add that to my signature if it were my "toggle" switch.

In observing the installation practice employed with said switch, it appears that this said practice did not involve any of the usual factory wire loom, or other measures that make it look like an authorized, bonafied, factory RPO code accessory.

All that to say... looks like someone added jack.

In observing the installation practice employed with said switch, it appears that this said practice did not involve any of the usual factory wire loom, or other measures that make it look like an authorized, bonafied, factory RPO code accessory.

All that to say... looks like someone added jack.

Agreed...But by whom? I always thought it was weird! I can't even remember the number of times I just looked at it and was like what the heck...and where in the heck did that come from and what the heck does it do. I would flip it back and forth a few times...nothin. I never thought to flip it and then try and start the truck.

I think I will put that in my sig

its thoughs dam grimlins

Yep - just list it as 'RPO anti-theft secret switch in glovebox" ):h

My parents rented a car with this "feature" when we went to Disneyland as kids - the SINGLE most ANNOYING thing ever put into a car -:t-:t-:t

I once went on vacation to the northern Arizona Strip to do some car-camping and see the Grand Canyon from unusual places. I took along a woman from New Jersey who's idea of roughing it was walkng on unpaved ground. SHE was the single most annoying thing ever put in a car!

I once went on vacation to the northern Arizona Strip to do some car-camping and see the Grand Canyon from unusual places. I took along a woman from New Jersey who's idea of roughing it was walkng on unpaved ground. SHE was the single most annoying thing ever put in a car!

But easier to remove at least

I say you right a do it yourself article..
How to add but not tell that you installed a secret semi factory alien mystery double black wired hidden glove box kill switch.