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01-10-2011, 11:33 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1982 28' Airstream 280
Venice
, California
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 73
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AS280 - Mystery Button on Dash
Hey everyone,
I just pulled Athena (82/3 AS 280) back out of storage and am starting to take on some more projects. So you'll likely have another active poster back on the list again!
Speaking of lists, first on mine is my dash. It's a zoo of bad wiring and inoperability. But there's one mystery that's been plaguing me since I first acquired her.
What in tarnation is this mystery button for? It theoretically goes into the dash right next to the ignition. It depresses like a momentary switch and does not lock. It also does not rotate. And for the record, it is NOT the battery combiner starter assist button. That is to the left of the steering column and still working perfectly.
I'm perplexed. Any ideas??
/dalefox
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01-10-2011, 01:19 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1982 28' Airstream 280
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,943
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I have the same button and have no clue what it does. A couple of years ago when I first got the coach I was pressing buttons and flipping switches and I thought I found two horns but it only happened once and I have never found it again. For now there are too many other things to worry about but if you find an answer i'll be watching.
Cheers, Dan
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01-10-2011, 02:01 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
1962 16' Bambi
2001 31' Limited
1985 29' Sovereign
Jenison
, Michigan
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 142
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That's easy........that's the button for the mother-in-law INJECTION SEAT.
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01-10-2011, 02:26 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Cleveland
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 787
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My MH has a mother-in-law ejection seat. However, that button works the smoke screen.
__________________
"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." Mark Twain
AIR 22749 WBCCI 2349 NOVA TAC TN-6
1989 345 LE Classic Motorhome
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01-10-2011, 02:37 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Mine has a hole, and looks like the was something there....
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01-10-2011, 02:47 PM
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#6
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I tow where I'm told.
2004 28' International CCD
1948 22' Liner
1963 22' Safari
Oakland
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 202
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Just a guess....Could it be the windshield washer control. I have seen older trucks with seperate washer controllers. As far as the Mother-in-law ejection seat, I thought it was a large red button that you used your fist or palm of your hand to operate by striking it real hard. Maybe the red button has fallen off and explains why this switch is no longer in the dash!
Safe Travels!!!
Tim
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01-10-2011, 03:15 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1982 28' Airstream 280
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,943
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrRivet
Just a guess....Could it be the windshield washer control. I have seen older trucks with seperate washer controllers. As far as the Mother-in-law ejection seat, I thought it was a large red button that you used your fist or palm of your hand to operate by striking it real hard. Maybe the red button has fallen off and explains why this switch is no longer in the dash!
Safe Travels!!!
Tim
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Windshield washer is on the wiper knob. I don't think the red button fell off, where it's located it would be too difficult to get a good hit with your fist or palm.
By the way does anybody have two horns? My steering wheel button operates the air horns. I would think there ought to be a normal electric horn somewhere.
Cheers, Dan
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01-10-2011, 03:20 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Genoa
, Nevada
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,554
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Sorry, but is the '82 280 a diesel? Could be a starting assist device of some type.
Or a diesel fuel shut off.
__________________
I admit to being powerless over housecleaning and social niceities
Airforums 22655 and now, WBCCI 22655
NevadaGeo
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01-10-2011, 03:38 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1982 28' Airstream 280
Venice
, California
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 73
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Not a diesel, just an ordinary gas engine. And speaking of "gas engines", thanks for all the mother in law humor!
I hadn't thought of this, but a windshield washer control is possible. My vehicle has twin wiper controls, so it's possible they also broke off the washer into a separate button. Although why in the world would it have such a large diameter primary cable and two other electrical connectors as well??
Any other ideas?
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01-10-2011, 03:42 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing
, South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dalefox
Not a diesel, just an ordinary gas engine. And speaking of "gas engines", thanks for all the mother in law humor!
I hadn't thought of this, but a windshield washer control is possible. My vehicle has twin wiper controls, so it's possible they also broke off the washer into a separate button. Although why in the world would it have such a large diameter primary cable and two other electrical connectors as well??
Any other ideas?
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If its got a heavy cable, it probably worked a 12 volt compressor for a air horn. Just MHO. Sal.
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01-10-2011, 04:49 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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I spent some time looking thru the owners and service manual.... even tried to trace it based on the wire color... all for nothing!
I want to know too!
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01-10-2011, 04:56 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Dalefox,
Is the thicker black line electrical cable or a tube for air or water(niether makes sense to me cos its going only one way)?
Maybe the green and purple cables are for lighting the switch?
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01-10-2011, 05:07 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
1982 28' Airstream 280
Venice
, California
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 73
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I thought the same thing: perhaps the two smaller wires are simply for lighting control. I haven't checked carefully on the primary cable to see if it is pneumatic, electric or mechanical. I'll stop by storage tomorrow and see if I can dig up more clues!
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01-10-2011, 05:46 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Alliance
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 262
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It looks like the disengage switch for the cruse control. Look above the brake pedal for any remains of a bracket that may have mounted this combination electrical/vaccume switch.
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01-10-2011, 05:51 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
1982 28' Airstream 280
Venice
, California
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 73
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This switch was mounted through the hole in the dash that you can see in the photo. I wasn't aware that this vehicle was equipped with cruise control. There don't appear to be any other control systems that you would use to engage/accelerate/disengage.
Did any of these early '80s AS come with cruise?
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01-10-2011, 05:56 PM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Alliance
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 262
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Mine is an 86 and had cruise control. It looks like what I have but it could be something else. Anyway that was my best guess.
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01-10-2011, 06:50 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1982 28' Airstream 280
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,943
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dalefox
This switch was mounted through the hole in the dash that you can see in the photo. I wasn't aware that this vehicle was equipped with cruise control. There don't appear to be any other control systems that you would use to engage/accelerate/disengage.
Did any of these early '80s AS come with cruise?
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Mine has a cruise control switch on the turn signal lever. It is a diesel and the start assist solenoid is automatic unlike the manual switch on the gas units. No mother-in-law eject option on my coach.
Cheers, Dan
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01-10-2011, 07:07 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Mine has Cruise(not working tho), and its the same stalk and function as the one on my 1987 Chevy Suburban... On that, there is no other switch or anything. the stalk does it all.
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01-11-2011, 12:38 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
1982 31' Airstream310
Alpharetta
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 95
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I agree with Menes. It is the disengage for the cruise control that is actuated by pressing the brake pedal.. It combines an electrical switch for the cruise control and a safety override to dump the vacuum, IIRC.
Same thing is on my 82 FFC.
Paul
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01-11-2011, 04:30 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
1982 28' Airstream 280
Venice
, California
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 73
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If that's the case, then why was it mounted through a hole in the dash? And why do none of my stalks have any controls for cruise?
I like the theory, but I'm not sold...
/df
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