Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hi
I noticed a switch in the pass side glove box of my 36 1401 car.
Looks like it would turn something on temporarily but I didn't see a light or anything like that in the glove box so I'm curious what it's for.
Thanks
Crin

Some people have hidden switches for electric fuel pumps in out of the way places.

Oh yeah I can see that. This is a momentary switch so you'd have to press it to complete the circuit. The button itself is mother of pearl and looks like it may have been there originally but you never know. Maybe I'll hook up a small light to it.
Thanks for the input

Hi Crin,

I am playing with something similar and when I read your post, thought maybe we're dealing with the same thing: My car ('39 Six) has the factory clock and it has a light in the back (ulterior to the backlight bulb) that serves as a glovebox/map light. It had a switch similar to a mercury switch, only with a small metal ball rolling back and forth in a small metal tube; when the glove box lid was up, it was off and when opened, the ball would roll inside the tube, make contact and the light would illuminate. I posted here, asking questions and the overwhelming consensus was that these switches were prone to corrosion, failure, and not worth attempting to repair or rebuild. My 'fix' was to procure a glovebox light switch from a 50'/60's car and wire it into the circuit. Not original, but functional. I'm wondering if the switch you are referencing, could have been installed for the purpose of temporarily lighting the clock light/glove box interior?? Does your clock have a light in the back??