911 3.2 mystery switch - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Got a 1988 911 3.2 Targa from 911virgin a couple of months ago - top service from Tom and Dan. My car has a switch between the hazard and heated rear window switches on the centre console - no idea what it does !! Anyone know ?

It's the "induce lift-off oversteer" button - very conveniently placed next to the hazard warning light button

intensive screen wash? if its the same as a 964

Headlamp wash jet?

Nope, none of those - although the lift-off oversteer needs no help from a switch

Does it have a curved arrow on it....?

On my 3.2 this is the central locking button, has picture/outline of a key on it. I think it is a different shape to the other buttons. S

It's an unmarked switch - no obvious signs of activity when switched either way.

Will have to have a look in the garage when I get home, maybe take a photo. Will probably get too excited and have to take her out for a drive hurrah! Have you got a user manual - (Damn been working with computers too long) - I mean an owners manual? S

No - got the service book but no owners' manual. Am tracking one down though....

Nothing in my manual about it. Just a blank space between the two switches. Some will have climate control below, but that's two knobs either side. All have the centrally placed, slightly superflous, central locking button, but that's a thin unit on it's own.

If you are after a manual give this chap a ring www.gmundcollection.com I got mine from there, and he is a nice chap. S

On mine this is indeed the central locking switch, simply locks both doors. Small rectangular red plastic switch? It is possible it isnt working? The central locking can be a fiddly, if farily simple little system. Also, if you have an aftermarket alarm fitted, that *may* have interferred with the central locking electrics. Photo would tell us for sure.

Central locking switch works fine - just below the other switches. I'll take a photo later and post it tonight.

if it has an alarm then this switch probably turns off the auto window closing - try the alarm with the windows down. May also be an electric fan override switch (if it has an electric fan on the oil cooler) Or it could just turn off the ultra sonics on the alarm so that you can leave the sunroof open.

OK, here is a picture of the area in my 3.2. As you can see there is no button between the hazards and heated rear screen, only the central locking switch. So if yours doesn't look like that, I guess it is something completely different. As stated above, I think the only other switches are for climate, and they are below these switches. S.

Just looking thought 'Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera The Last of the evolution bty Tony Corlett' to see if there are any differences in interiors. There seems to be a number of options: 1) Roll dial which was front/back speaker control. 2) Air-conditioning controls (when fitted). 3) On a speedster interior there seems to be a small round button (like a nipple) with led above it. I'd suggest you post a picture so we can see exactly what you mean. The original markings may have rubbed off from around the button. It could always be from an aftermarket alarm/hi-fi which was once fitted.

It probably turns the ultrasonic sensors off if you lock the car with the roof off. They also locate the switch on the side of the centre tunnel by your left calf (on a RHD car) though that was more common `89 onwards. Any problems pop it in and we`ll investigate further. Henry

Thanks Henry - it's not causing a problem, just curious !! I've put 3000 miles on it in 2 months and it hasn't missed a beat. Saw Tom and Daniel at Brands and said hi. Good luck at Silverstone. Here is the picture of the mystery switch.... Jeremy. >> Edited by semprini27 on Thursday 8th September 09:47

Not seen this before. Maybe check if there are any high pressure hoses or rocket cannisters under the passenger seat.

I seem to recall this from a 3.2 I had ages ago....the position of the switch was linked to close all on the alarm, in one position it allowed you to leave the sunroof and windows open while activating the alarm....in the other position, you could shut everything....maybe a blank accesory switch and this was just how mine was wired in??

laser diffuser?

I fitted one of these switches to my 964. It's to turn off the odometer

AHA !! Found the machine guns behind the fog lights !! Cool !!

That's an interesting login. No relation to Albert Semprini are you?

'Fraid not - from the racing team I used to run - www.semprini-racing.co.uk - name came from a drunken night watching Monty Python.....

Oh I see! My friend is his grand daughter I'm afraid that the Monty Python reference is lost on me though

Had this on my '89 3.2 cab and I think it was called a 'vent' switch. In one position it meant that when I used the remote central locking the windows and hood went up automatically (cool!) and in the other position they stayed down. Wish I'd used it more often as I left the hood down for a few weeks in the garage and ended up needing a new power hood control unit for about £1000! Ouch! Still, I'm finally over it as my 'new' (7 yr old) 996 C4 arrives next saturday!!! Pic on profile... how's that for an off-topic link!!! >> Edited by LeeME3 on Saturday 22 October 13:13

Is this the switch in the middle?

SOC997 said: Is this the switch in the middle? I think the chances are, that after 19 years, the OP has probably sold the car by now.

I’ve still got mine and I don’t have one of them switches or the alarm light looking thing down the bottom. There really were some nasty additions done to get alarms and the like in these cars. Still great cars though. Excellent thread resurrection though. Jesus would be proud

supersport said: Excellent thread resurrection though. Jesus would be proud .....Although Lazarus would have lost the will to live

Armitage.Shanks said: supersport said: Excellent thread resurrection though. Jesus would be proud .....Although Lazarus would have lost the will to live And only his 5th post in 90 months, so chances of a further comment are slim.