The heck is this?

[justaZcarguy]

Anyone know what this is? It's placed just in fromt of the battery.

I did push it, I peeed my pants and forgot my first name for about 20 minutes.

Just kidding

Anyone know?

[justaZcarguy]

sorry couldn't figure out how to insert the image....

[AxtellZ]

I *think* that it's the override button for some sort of ignition interlock. Maybe for the seatbelts, or transmission interlock that kept the ignition from working?? Been long gone on my car(s)

I think there is mention of it in the Haynes books. JA

[Royce]

I am thinking aftermarket alarm setup or something. I have never seen that on any of the Z's I have looked at! Have someone else press it first!

[EScanlon]

Years ago there was a starter interlock solenoid on some cars, not at all sure if the Z would have been equipped with something like that. The solenoid would sometimes have to be overridden and that was what the switch in your picture would be for.

Typically it would be connected to the seat belt system, and this is a good possibility for this item, i.e. seat belt use system needs to be disconnected.

Just a guess...

Enrique

[Bambikiller240]

Though the other explanations may be correct, I did NOT have this switch on the 1973 240Z that I used to own (mfg 3/73).

I have no further suggestion to offer as to what it could be, sorry

[2ManyZs]

I know I have never seen anything that looks like that on a Z.

Wonder if it was someone's idea of a remote starter they didn't remove? Odd that it looks to be hooked to an original looking plug in the harness though....:stupid: :cross-eye

[justaZcarguy]

yes, 2many, that's what throws me. And it seems to do NOTHING. I do not understand it. The "push" beckons me....

If that's how you spell beckons...

I feel like every time I push it I am turning the light on and off somewhere in Austrailia.

Mike? Any light action while you were there?

B

[sjcurtis]

For my 2c I think it looks like a remote safety kill switch or emergency power off if those red wires at the terminal end are ignition colour code. By the terminal plugs is that car a 260z or a 280z as it looks later than 240z.

Steve:classic:

Also the light are still on in Australia no flickers yet, thats Australia with one I got ya.

[beandip]

This was once a James Bond car and if you push the red button with someone in the drivers seat , it will eject them through the sun roof. I forgot to mention that to you when you were showing me the car and asked why some one would do that to the roof. Could come in handy if Ozzy tries to drive the car away while you are checking the oil or something. Zappo and she is gonezo!!

Scanlon dosen't even have one of those. I asked him. Brian , I hope you and yours have a great Christmass . Gary P.S. he ordred one from JC whitney to put on the roadster.

[HS30-H]

When I first saw the picture it made me think of something. Do you have an electric fuel pump?

If so, it might be an inertial safety cut-off switch that shuts down the fuel pump in the event of an accident.

If the knock is hard enough it cuts the power supply to the fuel pump, and you have to hit the reset button to get the power back. If it has not been "tripped" then it might explain why pressing the red button does nothing at the moment.

I too think that it is an aftermarket fitment - I've not seen an "official" one on a Z before.

Quite a lot of modern cars have these switches. I have one under the passenger seat of my daily driver Alfa Romeo 156.

Just a guess though...................

Alan T.

[260z]

Is that switch situated near the battery on right hand side of the engine bay? The car is 260 or 280z? I have a -74 260z and it is as original as it gets....The car has been stirpped of all smog etc, but otherwise it is original.

Ihave been thinking about this switch too...Havent yet figured out what it does... Was it so that in some states the seatbelt had the safety system which did not allow the car to start if the driver didn't have seatbelt on... My car has just the warning lamp/sign on dash.