Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 15, 2025 ...

Mystery switch

April 19, 2018, 08:38:07 pm

As I was finishing up cleaning the inside of this 88 GV 40', I discovered a small pull type switch  (like what's used on an old car headlights) located on the right of the breaker box under the front of the bed.  I was wondering if it could be for lighting in the engine cubical, that would be my best guess, if it is, the lights are burned out.

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #1 – April 19, 2018, 09:07:43 pm

I have a rocker switch close to that location that runs the 120 v block heater. Do you have a wiring  diagram for the side radiator hydraulic solenoid valve?

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #2 – April 19, 2018, 10:18:36 pm

Another thought, PO may have added that switch to disable the back-up alarm horn while inside the coach. My disable switch is in the engine bay. Or auxillary back up lights maybe. Both would be a nice modification.
What engine do you have?

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #3 – April 19, 2018, 10:28:10 pm

It has the Cat 3208 Turbo  in it.  Don't have aux rear lights other than the side beams in front and rear-they are controlled at the dash. Open the engine lid today (first time, saw that it had a hinged top while I was replacing bed coverings) It control the device shown in the picture.  Next to it is the fuel ratio control.  Wonder if it is a control to turn the turbo on and off.  Last owner said it was a little sluggish while towing-had the pump rebuilt.

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #4 – April 20, 2018, 07:31:58 pm

Start the engine and see if it is an auxiliary shut-off.

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #5 – April 20, 2018, 09:07:00 pm

Started engine, pulled the switch, had no effect.  Turn switch off, shut engine off, turn switch on,  and I turned the ignition key and the engine started .  Doesn't appear to be a shutoff or an anti theft set up.

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #6 – April 20, 2018, 09:38:16 pm

Are there any fuel lines going to it? Maybe a PO add on to prime the engine.

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #7 – August 02, 2018, 03:23:35 pm

I finally found out what that switch does.  It allows the engine to run with the key remove (hot wire).  Of course you have to start it first.  Found it by accident when repairing the remote starts for the generator.  What a surprise it was when I turned the key off and nothing happened,  After thinking, not something else I remembered fooling with the switch.

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #8 – August 02, 2018, 07:47:26 pm

Do you have a wiring diagram that is for the side radiator fan control?

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Re: Mystery switch

Reply #9 – August 02, 2018, 08:11:50 pm

I do have some wiring diagrams, whether they cover this I will have to check.  Will be tomorrow evening before I can reply as all the literature I have takes up a pedestal drawer.  I know what a god send they are as I had problems with the remote start and run timer on the generator.  Some one before had a few wires laid wrong.  Wife said that it was wired to old color standards and some one wired it to the new standards.  Wife is a retired instrument mechanic.  All I know is it was wrong!

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