What does the switch closest to the steering column do? It's the GSLSE model.

 

Since you are in Canada I am going to guess that it is the Sub-Zero start assist button!

 

^^ Thank you. It's not a picture from my car - my car has a cheap replacement switch there and I couldn't see it on any of the wiring diagrams. But Sub-Zero makes a lot of sence now.
Allan

 

Could be the switch for the headlight washers. Canadian cars have those, US cars don't. My US GSLs have the cold start assist system but they don't have that switch, just a plug filling the hole.

Which all makes me wonder how the cold start assist works in the first place. Is it thermostatically regulated?

 

Sub zero start assist is controlled by the oil thermo unit. This is the small sending unit on the left side of the oil pan just aft of the oil level sender. Current flows when the oil temp is at 0 F (-18 C) or below. Page 4A-52 or 4B-69 in the 85 FSM.

 

i'm with you on this one Ray. this sounds more than logical and i have never seen a switch there in a U.S. spec 7.

 

the headlight sprayer is actually on the same button that retracts your headlight (the one under the 4 way flasher button) you just lift push it back and it would of done it. And as they said above the sub-zero is all electronicall controlled by a temperature probe.

 

My bet is the switch is not stock, at least not on the US models. I have my aftermarket driving light switch there. Maybe the owner of that car did the same. Maybe the first gens had factory fog lights in non-North American cars.

 

I also replaced that switch in my SE and use it for my "ambers" I think I remember them being for factory foglamps if your car came with them etc.

 

I know the interior changed from the early fb to the 84-5 fb, but my 81 has 2 switches just like that one to the left of the column and they pop the latches for the hatch and the fuel door... maybe one of those?

 

Correct.

Also correct.


As far as I know, that is not a stock GSLSE switch. The style of the switch is that of a 80-83, not an 84/85. I bet it is something a previous owner added, using a switch from an earlier model.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I still don't know what it does, I didn't see any fog lights and your correct it's not sub-zero but it may have been a replacement switch for the headlight sprayers seeing how they don't work right now either.

I was just curious if any of you knew off hand what it might have been for. It looks like I'll just have to follow the wires one day and see where that leads me.

 

Don't count on that headlight sprayer to ever work to be honest. Or even find one that works. The problem with them is not within the switch but the location of the pump motor. It is so low and exposed to anything pretty much that one winter and its pretty much gone, as in rusted to crap. It would of been nice if they had the same motor as the windshield washer washer to move it around. You can get away by buying a small motor and wiring a switch to it if you really want too, but personally I just take all that extra weight off