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I need help in identifying the pictured part and what function it serves. It was located behind the heater blower switch on a 1949 23rd series sedan. You can see in the picture that a section has been broken off. When I found it it was attached via tape to hold it.

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It's part of the blower switch - a metal shield that covers the resistance coil for the low speed blower setting.

Pictures show what an intact switch look like.

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Thank you very much for your help ! In looking at your pictures can I assume that if the various contacts are in place on my switch can the switch operate without my broken piece being attached ?

At least the break doesn't appear to be in a place to weaken the contact mount points so no worries there.

Those resistors get very hot when blower is running on low speed. I'd be sorely tempted to reattach or make a new shield in some way. If that is not feasible, at least make very sure none of the wires behind the dash can touch or come close to the resistor if it's exposed.

One thing to be curious about is the color of the material. Does your entire switch have the black material as that piece does or is the piece black and broken off because it got hot enough to be charred.

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Thanks again. I'll do what you recommend. My picture is poor. The item is not black but a brown color.

It looks like the resistor is still attached to your switch.

Good advice from HH56 on the high temperature of the resistor and you should also be aware that it has a "hot" battery connection from one terminal on the switch when the ignition is on. Another reason for the metal shield.

It wouldn't hurt to check the middle connection on the switch as well since it is very common for it to burn through when the resistor overheats.

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Thank you for the added advice. I'll check it out.