Forum Discussion

Bordercollie's avatar
Bordercollie
Explorer
Jul 12, 2021

Mystery Switch

2004 Fleetwood Tioga 26Q, Ford E-450.

There is an on/off switch located just above the power mirror control on the windshield pillar. It's not labelled, not mentioned in the Ford owner's manual. Toggling the switch does not seem to do anything. I've owned the rig since it was new, never noticed the mystery switch til now. BTW the owners manual is somewhat generic, it also covers passenger car features and a variety of entertainment systems.

This must be a common mystery switch in 2004 E-450 cabs. Can anybody solve the mystery?
Class C
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Jul 12, 2021
    Just a guess, but sounds from your description like a switch to turn on and off the heating element in the mirrors.
  • Bordercollie's avatar
    Bordercollie
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2021
    wiltoad, that heated mirror switch may be the answer. The mirror control has it's own switch. I'll try it and see if I feel warmth. We don't get much frost here in SoCal.

    Thanks!
  • PartyOf_Five's avatar
    PartyOf_Five
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2021
    If it's not a Ford looking switch then maybe it's your battery switch over, so that the coach can power the vehicle to jumpstart it.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Jul 13, 2021
    I agree, it is most likely to switch on the heat for the rearview mirrors.

    It isn't mentioned in the Ford manual because the mirrors (and their controls) are not Ford products, but e.g. Velvac or other aftermarket mirrors. The stock Ford mirrors generally aren't used because they don't extend far enough out from the cab for good visibility alongside an RV body, I assume.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Jul 13, 2021
    Bordercollie wrote:
    Thanks, that's probably a heated mirror switch will check it.


    Gary, if you first look into that mirror then flip the switch ‘on’ , if you see your reflection appear younger then its a booster switch. An Ego Booster Switch, they are referred to as a EBS.
    I use mine all the time. :). Even if its just a heater switch, its fun to play pretend.
  • EMD360's avatar
    EMD360
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2021
    Our 2003 had the same switch for heated mirrors. Don’t want it on by accident. My grandkids love switches! I sure miss power windows on our newer RV!
  • Jarlaxle's avatar
    Jarlaxle
    Explorer II
    Jul 14, 2021
    wildtoad wrote:
    Just a guess, but sounds from your description like a switch to turn on and off the heating element in the mirrors.


    This. At a guess, it is a pair of rectangular Velvac mirrors-very common on cutaway Fords of that era. I drove a couple of shuttle buses with the same setup-and yes, the switch is for mirror heat.

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