What is this part?

[DNK]

Rick-Are things dead on the other place. You got to get Doug over here.

 

[Rickc]

YUP...on both.

 

[2wrench]

Okay, okay. It's an ejection button...case you're
gonna crash.

 

[myspitfire]

Hey! the guy is REALLY confused NOW!...I'm surprised the present Tr owners don't know what that is,I do.
LOL!

 

[Cyberpyr8]

My owners glove box driving manual.,>>>States its a speedometer TRIP METER RESET(dial type)Your black knob is broken off.,you need a new one.Again it RESETS your speedo trip meter.Cable driven & hooked to plastic gears inside the speedo,careful how you use it.
Ken&WhiteLightning(1979 Spitfire)

No I have a trip reset. I haven't had time to get a picture of the dash. But I do know that I have seen where the hazards should be and I have nothing there, no holes or anything. I just thought that mine may not have that option. I will take a look at it again this weekend and see if I can find out what it does. Is it possible that one of the previous owners replaced the dash and didn't drill out and remount the switch?

Scary thing the wiring on these cars! I have a ground wire that looks like it was attached to something now lying up there below the dash on the left side of the steering wheel (right where I found this button). As long as I can get the horn and radio to quit blowing fuses on me and some of the dash lights working again I will be happy! I just thought this part looked like it might actually work if it was mounted.

I know these cars never break down...but hazards might be nice if I am parked off to the side of the road at the beach taking pictures of the car or something! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

 

[TR3driver]

Is it possible that one of the previous owners replaced the dash and didn't drill out and remount the switch?

Makes sense to me.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I have a ground wire that looks like it was attached to something[/QUOTE]How do you know it is a ground wire ? Remember your PO was not bound by the factory color codes, and one black wire looks much like another black wire.

First time I crawled under the dash of my Stag, I noticed a 'ground' wire that had been cut. Fortunately none of the important electricals seemed to be missing a ground, so I left it be. Later when I was in the area cleaning up a different problem, I discovered that the dangling black wire was tapped into the unfused portion of the ignition circuit ! If I had grounded that wire as it appeared it should be, the smoke would have come out the next time I tried to start the engine.

FWIW, there are some very nice late Spit wiring diagrams at
https://www.triumphspitfire.com/wiring.html

 

[Cyberpyr8]

Thanks for the link. That is sweet! I have needed something like this. I had a black and white diagram that was too hard to read.

It's pretty obvious it was a ground wire. It runs straight to the body. It's only about 6 inches long. It could have been anything. I don't think it's factory installed. Everything is working so it must not be too important...right? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[guzzul]

But I do know that I have seen where the hazards should be and I have nothing there, no holes or anything. I just thought that mine may not have that option...... Is it possible that one of the previous owners replaced the dash and didn't drill out and remount the switch?

The hazard switch was not an option. The PO has either resurfaced the fascia board and not remounted the switch, or else you have a fascia panel from a much earlier Spit. I would imagine the PO left it connected because if disconnected your turn signals won't work. Try unplugging it at the white connector and see what happens.

Scary thing the wiring on these cars! I have a ground wire that looks like it was attached to something now lying up there below the dash on the left side of the steering wheel (right where I found this button).

The wiring is pretty simple relative to modern cars, and if you're careful you should be able to figure it out. What is truly scary is what some owners have done to it over the years. You have a couple of clues that this has happened with your Spit so proceed very cautiously. There should not be any unconnected 'ground' wires in the area you describe. Have a real close look at where that wire comes from and verify it against the O'Malley diagram.