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General => Lounge => Topic started by: P71 on January 21, 2008, 02:53:21 PM

Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: P71 on January 21, 2008, 02:53:21 PM
So I'm in the middle of putting new carpet and front seats in the Vic and along with the jumble of cut wires and assorted police equipment there's a switch in the driver's floorboard. It looks exactly like a foot operated hi/low beam switch like cars used to have way back when (my stalk-mounted hi/low switch works perfect). It's to the left of the brake pedal, has 2 wires, and 2 screws. I've pushed it but can't figure out if it's doing anything.

Any ideas? Should I cut it out or leave it in? Above or below the carpet?

Thanks!
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: ZondaC12 on January 21, 2008, 04:40:33 PM
My '38 has that I love it! Of course it's just to the left of the clutch pedal on the floor, so I rest my left foot there and find my self accidentally hitting it a lot :hick:
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: BCA on January 21, 2008, 05:28:27 PM
It could possibly have been used like this:

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5771303-description.html

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 21, 2008, 05:39:45 PM
It could be a siren tone change switch. We don't install 'em in police cars here, but some siren boxes have provisions for a foot switch that changes the siren tone from "wail" to "yelp" and back, and provide a "squelch burst" (supposed to sound like an air horn) for getting attention when approaching intersections.

A high beam switch should have three wires
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: ipsd on January 21, 2008, 07:19:24 PM
iworking at a parts store I can tell you that most floor mounted dimmer switches have 3 wires not 2.
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: Kitz Kat on January 21, 2008, 07:25:39 PM
Quote from: ipsd;199136
iworking at a parts store I can tell you that most floor mounted dimmer switches have 3 wires not 2.

Keep lookin!
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: P71 on January 21, 2008, 07:38:44 PM
Sounds like Brent or Carm had it right. The wiring went towards the center console area but was hacked off at the end. It's also a momentary switch (it was just crud encased). I threw it in the junk drawer just in case.


In other news, I found a LIVE 12 gauge slug in the passenger footwell under the rubber floor! The local Sheriff's office came out and got it. I've got pics and the story of the new carpet and seats going up in my User's Rides thread in a few minutes...
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: daminc on January 21, 2008, 08:22:44 PM
I've read that emergency vehicles have a hands free radio mic switch on the floor, which would make it safer while driving at higher speeds instead of using a handset radio mic
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: daboss351 on January 21, 2008, 08:26:48 PM
paul would know
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: V8Demon on January 22, 2008, 08:32:43 AM
If it's what I think it is then it's probably been disconnected.  Try this:  With the headlamps on and the car in park press the switch.  Stomp on the brake to do a light check on the brake lights.  Anything?  Now try to put the car in drive.  What happens?
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: P71 on January 22, 2008, 09:26:07 AM
It was cut at the other end so it doesn't do anything. Had about 7-8' of wiring going towards the center console.
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: V8Demon on January 22, 2008, 09:50:20 AM
Yup It's what I thought... PM me if you want to know.
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: pegasus on January 22, 2008, 11:33:05 AM
my grandpa had 1 put in his nova that went to the batt as a anti car jack and if he was parking in a bad part of town
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: jcassity on January 23, 2008, 12:49:54 AM
Not only was that switch used "way back when"

but,,

It is also stock equipment in 1990's vehicles.  ie- 1990 ford bronco.
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: CougarSE on January 23, 2008, 01:14:10 AM
When Ford made the body redesign in 92 to the trucks they switched to a stalk dimmer.  Our 91 F150 has the floor dimmer.  I like them.
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: daminc on January 24, 2008, 09:23:02 PM
OK I give, What's the real purpose of the switch on the floor.

I asked some one I know today, but there aren't any floor switches in Buffalo cars
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 25, 2008, 01:48:19 AM
Quote from: daminc;199748
OK I give, What's the real purpose of the switch on the floor.



NOS baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hick:
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: gumby on January 25, 2008, 06:33:32 AM
Quote from: daminc;199748
OK I give, What's the real purpose of the switch on the floor.
im guessin its some sort of anti-theft or a brake line lock. dont want the perp snaggin cop cars....
Quote from: V8Demon;199249
If it's what I think it is then it's probably been disconnected.  Try this:  With the headlamps on and the car in park press the switch.  Stomp on the brake to do a light check on the brake lights.  Anything?  Now try to put the car in drive.  What happens?
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: V8Demon on January 25, 2008, 11:08:24 AM
Ancient Chinese Secret!!!
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: stuntmannick on January 25, 2008, 12:21:58 PM
Quote


Tremco Police Products produces a Police Package Anti-theft System that works. Available for practically any police service vehicle, it plugs into the standard electrical wiring harness and then requires the installation of a few switches.

Once installed, the Tremco system activates whenever the transmission is placed into park; no other switch needs to be pressed. Whether the engine is running or not, the shift lever cannot be shifted out of park unless a hidden foot switch is pressed, sounding a small buzzer that indicates deactivation of the anti-theft system.

For those times when civilians might need to operate the vehicle (the mechanic at a local garage, a car wash attendant, etc.), the Tremco system features a hidden bypass switch that turns the entire system off so the car operates normally. The system is deactivated when turned over to a citizen, and reactivated when returned to the officer.

Tremco claims its system usually takes 15 minutes or less to install, and it can easily be done by anyone with normal tools and some mechanical aptitude. The cost is $89 per vehicle.

 



http://www.tremcopoliceproducts.com/Grandtheftcopcar.htm (http://"http://www.tremcopoliceproducts.com/Grandtheftcopcar.htm")
Title: Foot operated hi/low beam switch? Carm, anybody with cop car experience?
Post by: daboss351 on January 25, 2008, 04:33:44 PM
thats why he wont tell!!