What might this switch do?

GeoffL

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Inspired by @linkshouse's thread on what a certain fitting is for, I thought I'd ask the panel for suggestions as to what a hidden switch I've found might do. I have a 2001 Autotrail Scout on the Ducato chassis. The switch in question is a toggle switch fitted inside the storage bin under the centre of the dash. A red light on the dash illuminates when the switch is operated, but I can't find any other effect. I wonder whether the switch is a redundant immobiliser that lost its purpose when a Cobra 4138 Cat 1 system was fitted in 2014. I know that it currently has none of the following purposes (reason for ruling out each purpose in brackets):
  • Immobiliser (the vehicle starts with the switch in either position);
  • Link between leisure and cranking battery banks (with 13.6V at leisure battery and 12.5V at cranking battery, there is no change of voltage at either when switch operated);
  • Connect solar charging system to cranking battery (the solar system has a "battery 1/battery 2" switch. With the solar system switched to battery 2, the charge controller shows "open circuit" no matter what position of the under-dash switch is in);
  • Allow in-car entertainment system to be used without turning on ignition (radio doesn't work with ignition off and switch operated);
  • Disable motion sensors of alarm system (alarm still goes off if activated while I'm still inside and switch has been operated).
I found the switch about six months ago, by which time I'd owned the moho over a year. It doesn't interfere with using the moho, but it would be nice to know what it is for. Any ideas?
 
There was a fad some time ago for fitting little red lights to dashboards to make thieves think the vehicle had an alarm fitted. Just wondering if this is a case in point (or least could be used for said purpose in the future).
 
Inspired by @linkshouse's thread on what a certain fitting is for, I thought I'd ask the panel for suggestions as to what a hidden switch I've found might do. I have a 2001 Autotrail Scout on the Ducato chassis. The switch in question is a toggle switch fitted inside the storage bin under the centre of the dash. A red light on the dash illuminates when the switch is operated, but I can't find any other effect. I wonder whether the switch is a redundant immobiliser that lost its purpose when a Cobra 4138 Cat 1 system was fitted in 2014. I know that it currently has none of the following purposes (reason for ruling out each purpose in brackets):
  • Immobiliser (the vehicle starts with the switch in either position);
  • Link between leisure and cranking battery banks (with 13.6V at leisure battery and 12.5V at cranking battery, there is no change of voltage at either when switch operated);
  • Connect solar charging system to cranking battery (the solar system has a "battery 1/battery 2" switch. With the solar system switched to battery 2, the charge controller shows "open circuit" no matter what position of the under-dash switch is in);
  • Allow in-car entertainment system to be used without turning on ignition (radio doesn't work with ignition off and switch operated);
  • Disable motion sensors of alarm system (alarm still goes off if activated while I'm still inside and switch has been operated).
I found the switch about six months ago, by which time I'd owned the moho over a year. It doesn't interfere with using the moho, but it would be nice to know what it is for. Any ideas?
Is it possible to trace the previous owner? Spent days try I g to fathom problems like that, long shot but maybe an hour spent looking for the guy that fitted it might be in order...
 
Thanks chaps for the suggestions. I don't want to risk trying to contact the previous owner as the van has all the hallmarks of having been laid up for some time, which might mean that the van was an unwanted inheritance. That said, three of the dealers through whose hands the van has passed have been in close proximity to Cornish Farm Touring Park, and hence Vanbitz. That said, the alarm system I have is Cobra rather than Strikeback and I had the bike rack fitted -- so no cause for a cycle security facility until I bought the van. I hadn't heard of the 'red light on the dash' thing, but it makes as much sense as it being for equipment now removed. If I ever get the time and can get at the back of the dash, I'll try tracing the wiring to see where it goes. Thanks again, Geoff
 

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