Unknown buttons on my new Chimaera

[boriszblade]

Hi all! I am happy to join the forum. I am the the fresh new owner of a beautiful LHD Chimaera 500.
I have already initiated to the ‘TVR club’ fixing the ‘hot start issue’ buy bypassing the starter circuit on the immobiliser.
I have a question to the TVR experts: I cannot figure out what a small button and a rotating knob under the steering wheel do. Please see the picture. I would really appreciate a tip.

[Oldwolf]

Welcome, hope you have miles of smiles

I think the top one adjusted the brightness of the dash lights on a Vauxhall. It may not be connected on your TVR of course.

[s p a c e m a n]

Forgot it was there to be honest, intermittent wiper speed isn't it?

[Tyre Tread]

s p a c e m a n said:

Forgot it was there to be honest, intermittent wiper speed isn't it?

Yes.

No idea what the small button is. Never seen one there before

[bobfather]

Top one is intermittent wipe rate

[sixor8]

The other button may be for heated seats?

[boriszblade]

Definitely not heated seats. I know buttons which switch them.

[pb450]

Have you asked the previous owner? Or the supplying garage if not bought privately? Could be a different map? (Pops & bangs)

[boriszblade]

The previous owner is also very curious to find out what it does. )) A ‘different map’ is an interesting idea since the ECU was changed to TVR Power one. But this the previous owner must have known for sure. Anyway, if it is a map switch there should be an indicator light of some some sort, there is none. I guess I would better ask TVR Powers anyways.

[pb450]

I had two maps on my car, one for 'normal' driving and the other for MoT purposes. (Canems ECU was too rich on idle for the MoT!) It was a toggle switch with no light but it was in the same position as your button. Good luck and let us know when you find out.

[Toma500]

Button switches the dash lights off on mine never use it and cant think why youd want to .

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Toma500 said:

Button switches the dash lights off on mine never use it and cant think why youd want to .

Dash light button is further underneath the dash as standard.

The idea is it gives you better night vision.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Toma500 said:

Button switches the dash lights off on mine never use it and cant think why youd want to .

Dash light button is further underneath the dash as standard.

The idea is it gives you better night vision.

On right hand drive that is. (Not the vision, the position )

[Fez887]

Confirmation of wiper control knob the other looks like a retro fit…

[Belle427]

Whatever you do, don't press the other button.

[QBee]

I have a map switch on my Chimaera, but it's on the other side of the column, it rotates and has three positions...and no light.
I suspect that may be map switch with two positions.....or an ignition kill switch for greater security.
Only two ways to find out.......

[gamefreaks]

Whatever it is, its aftermarket.

Is it a manual fan override switch? Do the radiator fans come on when you press it?

If so, i'd check that your fans come on when the car gets hot. Around 90C.

[boriszblade]

gamefreaks said:

Whatever it is, its aftermarket.

Is it a manual fan override switch? Do the radiator fans come on when you press it?

If so, i'd check that your fans come on when the car gets hot. Around 90C.

Fans seem to work fine, ie they turn on quite often, before it gets to 90C. But I will check your tip too.

[sixor8]

It looks like the same sort of button that opens / closes the doors on a Cerbera. Might it be an aftermarket button to lock the doors?

Especially if the one on the top of the aluminium door release knob has failed, which they are prone to do.

[boriszblade]

This is definitely not a door lock.
As I got from TVR Power that is a legacy «override switch for starter motor”, which is dormant in my car since they wired it to the key in the newer ECU’s. But why put it there in the first place will probably remain a mystery forever… 🤷
Thank you everybody for your help! I must admit this is a very lively forum, I am pleasantly surprised, I will keep on following…