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Help with unknown knob / switch under steering column

Discussion in '360/430' started by turnbuwf, May 3, 2013.

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  1. turnbuwf

    turnbuwf Rookie
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    Mar 29, 2013
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    Bill
    #1 turnbuwf, May 3, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hello all, I am a very new very proud Ferrari 360 owner (2002 Spider F1).

    I have just taken care of "the Stickies" and while removing the steering column surround came across an electrical switch/knob the purpose of which I can't figure out. It is mounted underneath the steering column attached to the lower plastic steering column surround. It is accessible through the slot in the dash for the steering column adjuster. There are 2 concentric rotating knobs; the larger outer one is a 3 position switch, and the inner is a smoothly rotating potentiometer of some kind.

    The owners manual shows nothing; nor does the parts manual. The wiring connection looks very professional and disappears deep into the dash and gives no hint that it might not be an integral part of the car. The hole in the plastic steering surround that it was installed in did not look obviously aftermarket.

    I have a Kenwood KVT-614 radio/nav unit but none of its functions are affected in any way when moving the position of the unknown knob/switch. In fact the knob/switch does not seem to do anything at all as far as I can tell. I haven't completely ruled out the Kenwood yet but have been unable to pull the head since I don't have the correct pulling tools.

    At this point I figured I'd ask the forum. Any ideas?
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  2. up4speed

    up4speed F1 Rookie
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    #2 up4speed, May 3, 2013
    That's not a factory installed item.
    My first guess would be a remotely mounted radar or laser detector. Unfortunately, I would think that you would have known about it if that's what it was. I really can't guess anything else though.
     
  3. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
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    Terry H Phillips
    #3 tazandjan, May 3, 2013
    Possibly a switch to open the exhaust bypass valves. On is open, and in off the valves are controlled by the Motronic ECU.
     
  4. X-TNSIV

    X-TNSIV Formula Junior

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    Allen
    #4 X-TNSIV, May 3, 2013
    do you have an aftermarket stereo? some amplifiers use base knobs just like those as well...
     
  5. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    Brian Brown
    #5 Motob, May 3, 2013
    That is the switch/volume control for a hidden K40 radar detector. The middle position on the outer switch knob is off, rotate to the left for "City" mode sensitivity, rotate to the right for "Highway" mode sensitivity. The inner knob is the volume control. There should be some led light indicators mounted on the dash somewhere for on/sensitivity mode and for radar warning front or rear with chirping which is controlled by the volume knob. You can download manuals for the unit from:
    K40 radar detector and laser jammer product information | K40 Electronics
     
  6. turnbuwf

    turnbuwf Rookie
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    #6 turnbuwf, May 6, 2013
    Gentlemen, and Motob especially, thank you all for your replies. It is almost certainly part of a K40 hidden radar detector installation, and there are indeed an extra couple of LED's in the spare switch position in the 4 switch cluster to the left of the steering wheel. I am going to start burrowing to see if the actual detector units are still in the car but I suspect not (sadly) since the LED's are non-functioning.
    Thanks again and what a great forum this is.
     
  7. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    Curt
    #7 vrsurgeon, May 6, 2013
    BE VERY CAREFUL and don't touch any flashing red buttons! It could be the timer switch to the self destruct mechanism... pressing it releases tension on the timing belts and well.. self destruction.


    Or it could be to the radar detector. ;)
     

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