electrical and ignition Importance Of The "little Yellow Pushbutton" (Now Broken/popped Up))

[Lilleyvanilli]

It's been so long since I've played with my '02, but can anybody tell me if I need to make sure the yellow button on the console of my '76 needs to remain operable or if it is tied into an important circuit (like our hazard button is, for example)?  Was cleaning her up and the button popped up and will not push in again.  Any advice?

[visionaut]

What is this mysterious yellow button of which you speak (given it is NOT the red hazard button)?  The only other button on my dash (a 76 with Behr AC) is the green 'dummy' button, which does absolutely nada (it doesn't even pretend to go in-n-out).

 

Maybe an auxiliary lights switch?  Have you never pressed it before? (I couldn't have a button I never pressed). 

[ray_]

It's been so long since I've played with my '02, but can anybody tell me if I need to make sure the yellow button on the console of my '76 needs to remain operable or if it is tied into an important circuit (like our hazard button is, for example)?  Was cleaning her up and the button popped up and will not push in again.  Any advice?

 

 

 

That's SUPPOSED to be a SECRET!

 

[esty]

it resets your thermal reactor

[snowy]

I get a tingly feeling when I press mine.

[Guest_anonymous]

the value on your car just went up by $32,000. better list it for sale now!

[John_in_VA]

Maybe he has the E21 version:

[Lilleyvanilli]

Bingo! we have a winner!  Yep, that's the one alright.  And I do have the Behr AC unit.  When I have pushed this button in the past, I get no tingly feeling and it does not even flash like the hazard button.  Great to know you guys have a sense of humor though.

 

So any idea on what it does (or if having it now stuck outward/engaged affects any other system, like for example, ignition circuit).  The AC operates from the 2 knobs, not this button.

 

And if it is truly a 'dummy', why didn't I turn it into a girfriend seat ejector button 15 years ago?

[John_in_VA]

You need to check the back of it & let us know about the wiring. If it's not your hazard switch, perhaps it's for foglights, rear defroster, or some other previous owner-installed option.

[TobyB]

The turkey's done.  

 

Dinner is served!

 

hee

 

t

 

(no, that's not a stock 2002 widget)

[ray_]

This one has a yellow button also:

 

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/classifieds/item/3308-for-sale-1974-2002tii/

[Conserv]

It wasn't there from the factory. It was installed in the location of a factory-installed dummy button. The most common use of these lighted pushbutton switches was for fog or driving lights. If installed in the early-to-mid '70s it was more likely to be a green button, but there are yellow, purple, and various other colors as well, which have been available for decades.

You're going to have to trace the wiring to determine the specifics of yours. Mine, below, is green. I installed it shortly after I purchased the car in '76. I first used it for front fog lights. That duty later transferred to the "front fog light" switch at the lower left of the instrument cluster (I still wonder why the latter switch wasn't my initial setup). Then I employed it for a single driving light during my car's "1 fog, 1 driving light phase." Currently I am not using it but I will be using it for either driving lights or a rear fog light. So, as you can see, there is no hard and fast rule!

But my original receipt -- below, August 18, 1976 -- referred to it as PN 61-31-1-353-589, Fog Lite Switch, $6.63 with PA sales tax!

Steve

Edited June 2, 2014 by Conserv

[Lilleyvanilli]

WOW!!  The little yellow button really IS a $20K RARE option!  That does it, I'm selling!

Trying to avoid taking out the console to get to the button, as I seem to snap something plastic every time I get in there.  I'll wait until the mice make a home in my heater box again.

 

I'm currently chasinging down an electronic ignition (XR700) ghost and wanted to make sure this button was not going to confound my trouble shooting (meaning, maybe I SHOULD take things apart and post some photos of what I find?).  Sounds like I should be OK though.  Thanks you guys for all the input.  Nice to see your all still loving on these buggies.

[Lilleyvanilli]

Hey John, where in VA are you?  My folks are in Chesterfield (Richmond).

[jgerock]

If you have the Behr A/C console, then all you have to do is remove one of the side covers and look behind the faceplate.

 

My car came (to me) with a green-button that a PO used for a rear fog lamp.  Another PO changed it to work with a set of front driving lights.