under dash switch on 1929 Dietrich bodied convertible sedan in the Browning collection

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A number of years ago I took the attached photo of a switch under the edge of the instrument panel on the 1929 Dietrich convertible sedan in the Browning collection in Ogden, Utah. Does anyone know what this switch is for? Thanks.

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On my ’29 it controls the dash lights.

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the switch turns on the instrument lights. I turned off John C. instrument lights @ St. Louis meet.

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It’s a three position switch. If I remember correctly, all the way to the left is off; middle position turns on a single lamp to illuminate the ignition lock; right position turns on the instrument lights.

Bill

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I thought it was Middle is off, Left is ignition and right is instrument panel.

But I’d have to go out and check to be sure.

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You’re right Craig. I have a spare switch in my basement and checked it with a meter and realized my earlier error.

Bill

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I’m getting old but I guess not that old!

But the other half would disagree with my statement.

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This switch is a real ‘gotcha’. It is easy to brush a leg or knee against it, getting in or out of the driver’s seat.

In Daylight, it is very difficult to see that the ignition-ilumination light or the instrument lights are on.. And there goes your battery !!

This is much like the hot-wired reverse gear light. [aka: back-up light ]. If you leave the shift lever in reverse, the light stays on. And in daylight, it is easy to not see that the light is on.

Greg Long

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Oooh I learned that about the reverse light the hard way!

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