Hi everybody,
I'm looking for any info on a yellow 76 2.0. I bought it last December in Bethlehem, PA. Most likely the car spent all its life in Eastern PA / W NJ. VIN #4762903848.
I was removing interior in preparation for some rust repair and I found this button under the steering column . What can this be, may be someone here worked on this car?
Any info at all is greatly appreciated.
Mike

My guess, due to placement, is that it is an anti theft switch. Maybe cuts power to fuel or power to ignition.

Have you pushed it to see what happens?

Zach

Rocket Launcher?

Passenger ejection seat? Bond style...

Zach,
I think that you're right. I couldn't get the car started no matter what I did. Now the engine is out for rust repair so I can't try it.

I've only seen one other 914 in the Lehigh Valley (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton) and that was a beautiful /6 conversion.

Got any pics of the exterior?

Since the engine is out, I would suggest following the wires and let us know where the wires go.

Could be a horn? Perhaps someone didn't wanna spring for a new horn switch and just put the button there so i would pass state inspection. hook up the battery and push it, see what happens.

I was thinking Bond Oil Slick....Wait Porsches do that on their own

Could be used to start the car. My first 914 the PO had a ignition problem so he hooked up a start button. You had to turn the key to the on position then push the button under the dash to start it.

I think it is an intermittent switch used for a converted windshield washer system!!

I agree, you may have to turn the ignition and push that to spin the starter.

Hi Jerry,
Sorry for the late response. here are the pics. It looked gorgeous and I couldn't resist, I thought how bad could it be? Little that I knew.... I traced the wire and it connects to fuse #9 (Turn signals/Stop lights/back-up lights). This doesn't make any sense. It's just not practical for me to put everything back together now.
Thank you all for your responses.
Mike

Fuse 9 is where it is drawing power from.

Was there only 1 wire on it? If so, the switch we probably deativated by the PO. At the very least it needs power and ground wires to work. But the circuit probably started at the fuse box for power, went to the switch, and then went to whatever the switch was controlling.

Zach

Fuse 9 for power

then to the switch

then to the hydrlic ejector under the passenger seat

Electric trunk release?

Hey Mike, we get a lot of cars that come through the shop that have these buttons. Usually you turn the key to the 'on' position then press the button to start the engine. Hmm, we should have gave that a shot before tearing the car apart

I'll give you a call later this week, looks like i'll have some free time next weekend if you want to work on the 914 a bit.

Hey Jon, good to hear from you. I was bummed about it too, but the button had only 1 wire connected to it. So, as Zach mentioned, it was probably deactivated anyway.

Mike, did you ever get around to cutting the fenders? If you didnt then dont! I have an idea that will save some time. Check your PM's.