Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Topic: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions (Read 1571 times) previous topic - next topic

Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

December 05, 2019, 02:54:54 pm

Still lots to learn and appreciate any help.
What is the small rocker switch to the right of the retarder joy stick? The manual does not show it.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #1 – December 05, 2019, 03:18:55 pm

Looks like an aftermarket add-on by a previous owner. Could be almost anything. You could pull the panel and trace the wires.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #2 – December 05, 2019, 03:27:22 pm

Quote from: bdale – December 05, 2019, 03:18:55 pm

Looks like an aftermarket add-on by a previous owner. Could be almost anything. You could pull the panel and trace the wires.

That sounds like a fun weekend project....not! Apparently previous owners did not have a label maker or a sharpie!

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #3 – December 05, 2019, 03:43:18 pm

Do you have electric door locks? I think that location is where the basement and passenger electric door lock switch is located our coach
Chris

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #4 – December 05, 2019, 03:43:59 pm

Mine turns the Retarder on and off..

So not sure but does look aftermarket

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #5 – December 05, 2019, 03:56:22 pm

We are the 5th owners of our coach. Each of the previous owners added their own personal touches to our coach. One of the joys of buying a old Foretravel is figuring out the "custom" mods made by previous owners. Doing so requires a equal mixture of mechanical/electrical sleuthing skills and blind dumb luck. Some things will be obvious, or self explanatory. Others (like your switch) may be a total mystery. The time that you spend poking around the coach looking for clues is well spent. You will eventually learn all the secrets, and by that time will feel better equipped to deal with unexpected surprises.

You are welcome to ask all your questions here. We may not always have a answer, but in most cases we can help or make a educated guess. Do you have the electrical wiring diagrams for your coach? They can be very helpful when investigating mystery circuits. The added-on wiring may not show up on the diagram, but sometimes you can get a idea of the function from the nearby wire I.D numbers.

Have fun!

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #6 – December 05, 2019, 07:16:11 pm

It could be a switch for power shades like MCD for the windshield?

Best of luck figuring it out....................

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #7 – December 05, 2019, 07:20:08 pm

What happens when you push the switch?

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #8 – December 05, 2019, 07:56:22 pm

If the DW flies into orbit, you'll know it was the ejection switch.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #9 – December 05, 2019, 08:12:27 pm

I have a resister switch there and I'm not sure what it is for. I agree with David that it isn't a stock switch. I just found 3 more switches
today that I have no idea what they are for.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #10 – December 05, 2019, 08:41:23 pm

On mine, it turns the retarder on/off. Mine is lighted and labeled but yours may be an unlabeled replacement switch. The light comes on when the retarded is functioning.

Rich

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #11 – December 05, 2019, 08:58:25 pm

There is NO SUCH THING as a dumb question. Ask away.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #12 – December 05, 2019, 09:14:25 pm

His retarder switch is labeled. Middle switch top row.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #13 – December 05, 2019, 09:25:28 pm

I would fasten my seat belt before activating that switch......ya never know

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #14 – December 05, 2019, 09:48:42 pm

Maybe it's the "DOWNSIZE" switch. I wish I could locate mine. Just kidding.........not for a few years yet.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #15 – December 05, 2019, 10:05:52 pm

There are NO dumb questions! If there were I would have been banned by now... lol
Keep your questions coming, I learn from other people questions.

Welcome to the forum!!!

Keith

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #16 – December 05, 2019, 10:25:20 pm

Agreed that it could be anything. Pull the panel, easy to do, and look at the wires. Are they foretravel wires or after market? See where they go, do they head aft towards the rear or up, or do they go forward towards the dash? It could be for a light, electric shades, a map light, only you will know when you find out. If it doesn't work now, a inline fuse may have blown. Trace the wires. But start with pulling that panel out. Its 4 screws. Lifts straight up. That's where I would start.
Bob

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #17 – December 05, 2019, 10:30:03 pm

Does the retarder come on when you switch mystery switch on? What about when you hit the switch labeled retarder?
Does ANYTHING happen when you hit it? Click? Buzz?
Humm?
Is it still hooked up? Wires going to and coming from?
Does it get power still?
Stealth Bourbon dispenser activation system? (Ask Michelle)

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #18 – December 06, 2019, 09:06:25 am

I have not been able to find anything that comes on or goes off when I flip that switch. Does not seem to affect the retarder. Guess I will pull the cover one day and trace the wires. During those times when I am getting an ear full from the right seat driver, I might secretly pretend it is an James Bond inspired eject switch.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #19 – December 06, 2019, 09:35:54 am

DayDreamer, if you do, make sure the door is secure, that may be what it is!

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #20 – December 06, 2019, 02:59:56 pm

DayDreamer,

I have a 1995 U300 with exactly the same switch panel. On mine the mystery switch is labeled "defroster fan" - located up in the overhead compartment.

Jon

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #21 – December 06, 2019, 03:03:06 pm

Quote from: Jon H – December 06, 2019, 02:59:56 pm

DayDreamer,

I have a 1995 U300 with exactly the same switch panel. On mine the mystery switch is labeled "defroster fan" - located up in the overhead compartment.

Jon

Thanks for that tip. I will check it out.

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #22 – December 15, 2019, 05:59:19 pm

Please educated me on the air system. There are two gauges on the dash and the manual just says front and rear air gauges. I am assuming the top gauge is front and the bottom gauge is the rear. Is that correct?

The front (upper gauge) will hold pressure for over a week. Been at least a week and it is still at 70 PSI. The other is at zero, so assuming there are leaks I need to chase. Three air bags in the rear are very old, so that could be part of the source.

Thanks
David

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #23 – December 15, 2019, 06:34:21 pm

If the rear gauge leaks down, it will be lines or valves. The air bags are isolated when it is parked

Re: Dumb New-to-Us Foretravel Questions

Reply #24 – December 17, 2019, 02:09:24 pm

On our coaches the retarder when engaged turns on the brake lights. Maybe the switch is to bypass the brake lights from coming on when the reatarder engages. Some have bypassed the brake lights on the retarder.
John M.

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