Dash help

[Wiggo]

Hoping someone can shed some light on the switchgear on a 41 Dodge/Plymouth for me...

 

 

C is the light switch and D is the choke. B is labelled 'Throttle' - what is that and what does it do? What is the knob marked A?

Edited December 14, 2017 by Wiggo

[casper50]

The throttle is hooked to the accelerator linkage, you can pull it out and it will increase the engine RPMs.

[Wiggo]

Ah, OK, I've only ever come across that on agricultural diesels, where you wind up the idle while using equipment driven from the PTO. What was the purpose? Crude cruise control, or to warm up the engine in conjunction with the choke?

[casper50]

Mostly warm up.  WHen I was a teen my first vehicle a 48 Chevy 1/2 ton had it.  I did use it as a cruise control on flat ground only.

 

[Wiggo]

OK, thanks. Any idea what 'A' is, sort of half under the dash?

[Los_Control]

over drive?   no clue just a guess, but think that A is normal location on older mopar

[JohnTeee]

Do you have a reverse light? Maybe in the left, rear fender? Dad's '48 has that rotating switch connected to a reverse light.

jT

[Wiggo]

6 minutes ago, JohnTeee said:

Do you have a reverse light? Maybe in the left, rear fender? Dad's '48 has that rotating switch connected to a reverse light.

jT

Not any longer, John! The rear fenders have been modified and that switch is currently my light switch and instrument light dimmer, but I'm trying to put things a little closer to stock...

[Skrambler]

It is the heater control switch.

[Wiggo]

4 minutes ago, Skrambler said:

It is the heater control switch.

Ah, OK, thanks. I assumed that all those controls were on the heater unit itself (mine is missing the casing)...

[soth122003]

The real purpose of the throttle/fast idle was to increase the rpm at night so the lights would not drain the battery at prolonged stops or low driving speed. The generator has to be spinning at a certain rpm to overcome the amp draw the lights and heater produced. Usually about 1000 to 1500 rpm.

Joe

[casper50]

I've never heard that before.  It's most likely at least one of the reasons for it.

 

[soth122003]

Easy way to tell. Start car and warm up. Choke in, throttle in, turn on lights and/or heater then watch the amp meter drop. Pull out fast idle until gage reaches positive charging.

 

Joe

[jcmiller]

"A" operates fog lights on my 1942.