Unknown switch/knob on 1977 308GTB ...

Sounds like a poorly installed killed switch. Check the wiring and either remove and disable it, or rewire it correctly.

 

Its not stock. Don't have one in my 77. Most likely a kill switch. Pull the console and see whats up. If it is smoking then you'll end up with a fire.

 

my 78 did not have that.

PO's BS.

 

I have seen the same switch on a '79 GTS. It was a battery disconnect switch. If it is smoking get it checked out quick. There is a lot of amperage going through there.

 

ii found a battery disconnect switch under the bonnet of my 308 , and a fuel pump kill switch. the fuel pump kill switch is really handy when trying to fight with the fuse block problems and you dont want the pump to run all the time. i wonder if dealers installed this back in the 70's or if owners added them. i have not checked the battery kill switch to see if its safe or not. at least you are not alone. get that thing fixed, fire sucks!

 

its the self destruct switch which activates the hidden bomb like Capt Kirk had on the Enterprise, If any Klingons attack, threaten to use it LOL

 

Definatly not correct. I'd remove it.

 

Ironically, I installed a Flaming River battery isolator switch on my GTS to PREVENT fire. You CAN'T put out an electrical fire until you kill the juice.

It is mounted next to the battery and remotely operated from inside the cab. My thoughts are if/when there is an electrical fire I can kill the power to the entire car so I can put it out.

I think mounting one inside the cab so far from the battery is defeating the original intent.

 

Again, I think Spasso has a great idea and one I will add to my car ASAP.

I previously had an ur-quattro (yes, actually a 308 competitor according to the magazines...and now that I have a 308 I can see that a bit more than I did when I only had the UrQ).

Anyway, since they hand built the UrQ out of a chassis designed for a 4 cyl FWD (but stuffed in a turbo intercooled 5 cyl and awd gear) things were cramped. Battery went under the rear seat and the juice was carried by a very heavy gauge cable (completely unfused) to the starter motor (lower front center) of the car.

Anyway, the previous owner had done some mods (different turbo, etc) and apparently had not put things back together quite right. I had used the car as a daily driver for a year...came home one evening, parked it in the garage, and went in the house. THANK GOODNESS my wife came home early... about 5 minutes after I came in and said "Your car has steam coming from it".

It wasn't steam...it was electrical smoke. The braided oil cooler cable had been sawing on the misrouted battery cable and had just gotten through the insulation...though that wasn't immediately obvious.

I popped the bonnet and about that time the juice going though the oil line to ground popped the oil line, adding hot oil to the mix. Black smoke was billowing out. I unloaded a Halon extinguisher into the engine comaprtment...which beat down the flame and smoke long enough to see the batter cable. So then I ran to the rear of the car, pulled the back seat (thank goodness I never bolted it down as the factory intended) and popped the battery cable.

Total damage: One oil cooler line, one battery cable, and I replaced the battery for good measure.

A cutoff switch is a great idea!!

Bill

 

Does the 308 not have the same battery quick disconnect the 328 has? There's a quick disconnect located just behind the driver's side headlight on the 328.

 

If memory serves, that started with the 4v.

 

No we have them on the '77s, a red t handle battery disconnect switch behind the driver's headlight in the fender

 

Can you post a photo of that please? I am thinking about installing a battery kill-switch in my car, but do not want to do any irreversible damage to it (like cutting holes to accomodate the switch, or to feed cables through). Does anyone else have ideas or suggestions? Also, what kind of switch should I use? Thanks

 

Not on my '78 GTS. The positive cable routed from the battery on the drivers side directly back to the starter.

I installed the disconnect switch to the underside of the spare tire cradle at the drivers side of the battery. I operate the switch with a pushrod that extends through to the drivers foot well and ends behind/below the brake/clutch pedals in a 'T' handle. When I park I tap it with my toe and the car is DEAD.

I drilled holes for two bolts for the switch under the spare and one for the push rod all of which could be easily plugged but why? I would rather have three extra holes in my car than a burnt one.

I can post pictures of the installation in about 8 hours if anyone is interested.

 

If you look closely in the last picture you can see the "T" handle behind and below the pedals. It does not interfere in anyway with the pedals and I can turn it on and off with my foot.
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I can't believe how some of you guys butcher up your cars. If i saw a car with a T handle sticking out between the pedals i would spin.
I dont care if it makes gasoline out of water vapour !! I know its just a car and better alive than a flaming ball and its yours to do with what you like etc.. but shucks already !! A T handle sticking out between the pedals ? Come on man you must be kidding us.. tell us its a trick photo


Skin.

 

My 82 308GTSi does have the factory disconnect switch (actually more like a plug) located just behind the driver's side headlight.

 

Man, wait until you see my roll cage installation and on board fire extinguishing system!.

The only "butchery" is the drilling of 3 small holes in the spare tire cradle that can be refilled with glass fiber and resin. The other is the hole in the forward bulkhead for the pushrod. That too can be plugged. NO OTHER ALTERATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE to the car to install this switch. A small price to pay for safety.

It isn't as bad as the LARGE RED selector switch that most people use up front. At least mine is hidden from view.

If I hadn't posted that picture you would never see the "T" with a casual inspection of the car.

Doesn't even compare with a wing on the back or BLING 19" wheels. .

I suppose you would "spin" over the 308 on this site with the supercharger, or the one with the 288 nose on it, or the twin turbo 308 that lurks around here, or maybe the 308 Spider that Cavallino Motors has for sale.

Safety and function aren't always pretty.

"Butcher?" Good grief! How about a little drama here.................maybe you should see the doc about some downers.