Hi all, I disassembled the dash of my 61 Pioneer Wagon and found the push button which you can see at the attached picture. It is located under the dash right next to the steering column and the emergency lights switch. It has two cables...one was hanging loose and the other one was connected to the regulator in the engine compartment (see electrical diagram attached). The cable to the regulator was a seperate one independent of the wiring harness. Does anyone have an idea what this pushbutton was good for? Thanks! Martin
What's the 'feel' of the button? Can you detect a distinct 'click' when you push it each time, or does it have some resistance to it, like perhaps the operation of a windshield washer squirter? I just did a Google image search for instrument panels on '61 Dodges. Didn't find any that had a button below the dash. My guess is that it's not factory. You'll probably have to trace the wire to figure it out.
What KK wrote. Does it feel like a make and break on and off button. Or a push type like a horm button. Looks like an accessory horn or window washer type button. Then again maybe it is a James Bond type button. Don't push it while sitting in the driver seat unless a pretty blonde wearing a gold jumpsuit is with you.!
I would venture a guess that it was a home made anti theft device; button must be pressed to start the car.
I'd say it was used for the horn or push button to engage the starter. I had to put one on my Son's lawn tractor couple years ago, as his switch went out & it was a CHEAP fix.
horn unfortunately I don't know as the wire harness doesn't work anymore due to several cable fires. So any electric device couldn't be tested up to now.
It's a soft operational switch, no resistance or click while pushing. Seems as if a contact is closed only while keeping the button pushed in and it immediately returns back to original position after releasing.
It was there just to "lay down" the dash for a moment while disassembling. It needs to be repainted anyway due to other damages.
