Mystery switch

Noar68 · 09-01-2022, 05:51 AM

I have a 2002 274RLS sprinter There is a black rocker switch on the side of the small table at the back of camper. Cannot figure out what it is for.

**flybouy** · 09-01-2022, 06:05 AM

Welcome to the forum. More info would help. Sprinter is a model line not a specific model number. It's like saying "I have a Chevy". If you go up to the UserCP at the top of the page you can create a signature and if you add the year, complete model name & number of trailer and tow vehicle it will greatly assist folks trying to help.

A picture of the table might help. Without a model number there's no way of knowing if you have a toy hualer with a table, a bunk house with a bedside table or ???

wiredgeorge · 09-01-2022, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noar68

I have a 2002 sprinter There is a black rocker switch on the side of the small table at the back of camper. Cannot figure out what it is for.

Perhaps filling in the model might help. Hard to provide much information without knowing the model of your camper or a picture of the switch/location.

Texas Steve · 09-01-2022, 06:08 AM

Welcome to the forum! Please be more specific in what model of Sprinter that you have and someone may be able to help with that mystery switch. It could be anything from light (bulb burned out) to a previous owner installed item. Pictures are great as well.

bsmith0404 · 09-01-2022, 06:23 AM

I’ve seen outside rocker light switches placed in different locations. I hunted for quite a while on a Laredo once to figure out a switch up near the front turned on a light on the back. Easiest way to figure these things out is to wait until it’s dark and start switching it. If it’s for a light (typical) it should be pretty easy to spot.

**flybouy** · 09-01-2022, 06:35 AM

If you can find a Floorplan (may not be possible on a 20 + yr old unit) print it out. If you can't draw a rough out line of your camper. After dark, turn on all light switches. First look all around and note any lights NOT on. Make a note to check those fixtures for burned out bulbs and the presence of voltage at the socket.

Then turn off the unknown switch. See if any previous illuminated light is now off. Doing this method for each light switch can help identify what switch controls what light. With that being said, the switch may be for something else like a rear mounted outside camera, a power outlet for 12vdc appliances, a vent fan or some other device. That's when you need to get out the screwdriver and voltmeter and do some investigating.

wiredgeorge · 09-01-2022, 09:55 AM

The OP signed off immediately after posting. We will have to wait and see if he drops in again and provides a little information so answers can have some context. Guessing what a switch actuates is kind of futile.

LHaven · 09-01-2022, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

The OP signed off immediately after posting. We will have to wait and see if he drops in again

Or until he gets a call from a woman in Germany.

Noar68 · 09-01-2022, 04:09 PM

I have updated post

**chuckster57** · 09-01-2022, 04:39 PM

Could be for the 2 overhead lights above the chairs.

Noar68 · 09-02-2022, 11:10 AM

No, it does not work for the overhead lights

**chuckster57** · 09-02-2022, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noar68

No, it does not work for the overhead lights

I would be tempted to take it out and see if you can tell which way the wires go. Simple enough to test which side is supply and which side is load. May give you an idea where to look.
It may just cover an oops. I’ve seen some weird things used to cover an unexpected goof.

jasin1 · 09-02-2022, 01:23 PM

is there or was there a rear backup camera installed?

wiredgeorge · 09-02-2022, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasin1

is there or was there a rear backup camera installed?

I kind of doubt someone would have the motivation to pull wires up the rear wall around the rear picture window to power a camera. The marker lights are a much easier source of 12V unless someone put a camera down near the bumper... but why would you?

jasin1 · 09-02-2022, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

I kind of doubt someone would have the motivation to pull wires up the rear wall around the rear picture window to power a camera. The marker lights are a much easier source of 12V unless someone put a camera down near the bumper... but why would you?

yeah your probably right…how about the water pump? if the tank is below it?…eh i will quit guessing…it’s draws me in every time

wiredgeorge · 09-02-2022, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasin1

yeah your probably right…how about the water pump? if the tank is below it?…eh i will quit guessing…it’s draws me in every time

I think if I owned the switch, I would take it off and see where the wires went. Those tables between chairs often house stuff that could go elsewhere with the chairs/window on the back wall.

If Noar68 took a picture of the actual switch, might give some clues. I don't see a switch in the picture he posted. I looked at several of the same models and saw no switch either but it could be not visible in those images.

Here is the same model/year and they go past the table in question a number of times and no switch visible... perhaps someone did a modification of some sort. Start tracing wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LVeG1e2RAI

**chuckster57** · 09-02-2022, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I would be tempted to take it out and see if you can tell which way the wires go. Simple enough to test which side is supply and which side is load. May give you an idea where to look.
It may just cover an oops. I’ve seen some weird things used to cover an unexpected goof.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

I think if I owned the switch, I would take it off and see where the wires went. Those tables between chairs often house stuff that could go elsewhere with the chairs/window on the back wall.

If Noar68 took a picture of the actual switch, might give some clues. I don't see a switch in the picture he posted. I looked at several of the same models and saw no switch either but it could be not visible in those images.

Here is the same model/year and they go past the table in question a number of times and no switch visible... perhaps someone did a modification of some sort. Start tracing wire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LVeG1e2RAI

Seems like I said that..George we think alike on this one.

pct302 · 09-11-2022, 10:04 AM

If you don't find out what the mystery switch does, make something up. Tell visitors it activates the anti-theft force field. Or that it sends a homing beacon to the mother ship. Be creative...go wild!

LERD · 09-11-2022, 10:42 AM

That rear table on my 2007 Copper Canyon houses my electrical cord and fuse panel. Makes you wonder if they grabbed a space from the breaker panel for an outlet, either inside or out. I also have a rocker switch right next to the door, but closer to the ceiling. It switches the outside outlet right by the awning on and off. Maybe his switch is what someone else put on to interrupt a circuit downstream.

Dallasrules · 09-13-2022, 11:51 AM

I have had two different trailers with mystery switches that never did anything that I could figure out. One was a rocker switch on the slide that anyone would assume controlled the slide lights or outlets. Nope. Not unless it was bypassed when assembled. The second was a rocker switch on the cabinet below the sink. Never did figure out what that one was supposed to do.

I think mystery switches are just part of the RV entertainment package.

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