Tiny on/off switch under dash. Wtf is it for?

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3s1kill

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I was adding a Carista odb2 scanner to my 4R and I found this little tiny switch next to the ODB2 port. What is it for? Is it factory? It just says on an off? Any ideas?

I have a 2015 4runner limited and it was all stock when I got it. Only thing I know that was installed was a block heater of some sort as the plug sticks out the front bumper.
 

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Doesn't look factory. If you didn't buy your 4Runner new - it was probably installed by the previous owner. Could be anything - you'll have to follow the wires to figure it out. I wouldn't move the switch until you figure it out.
 
I did buy it used about 6 month ago. The car was sold in Fairbanks Alaska and I'm the 2nd owner. Fairbanks can get to negative 50 degrees in winter. Not sure if they're related though.
 
It's a valet switch for an aftermarket alarm. Follow the wires to the brain.

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My guess is it's a switch to control that block heater. It may also have a fuse; either in-line somewhere or in a spare spot on one of the fuse blocks. Some block heaters just plug in & some are controlled by a switch. Still I suggest you trace out those wires and find out for sure. The switch should be labeled but in this case it looks like you get to figure it out.

I spent a cold week in Fairbanks several years ago on a work trip. I remember every car had a plug hanging out the grill and most of the parking lots had places to plug in. Shouldn't be too hard to trace those wires. You can use a meter to make it easier. If you need help with how to do that - let me know.
 
TwistedJake said:
It's a valet switch for an aftermarket alarm. Follow the wires to the brain.

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It gets spliced into the factory wires grey with black and white with black line on it. I did see the brain to my compustar and you can see a purple fuse in there. Not 100% sure the wires go to the brain but I do see those color wires going to the brain.
 

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It keeps the doors locked while driving


Seriously though, that looks like a nightmare. I'm not sure how far I'd be willing to trace that either.
 
If it's not related to the block heater, the only other thing I can think of that would warrant a hidden switch is an ignition cut off to prevent theft. I've heard about that in the Jeep Wrangler community where there is not much keeping people out (especially with top/doors off).


I don't know that's for sure what it is, just a thought.

On edit: Probably not since the switch is in "off" position and the truck still works.
 
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Living here in the north country, all vehicles have block heaters for the really cold nights. They pull a pretty good amount of power beings there are around 1200-2500 watts output. They are never switch controlled with something such as that. We just plug in and let them cook away, some newer versions do cycle on a thermostat. Most likely that is the valet/kill switch for a remote start/alarm system which we also use here to start our vehicles to warm them up in the dead of winter. Our vehicles system also will cycle and run on a schedule or temp when we have no access to plug in our block heaters. That vehicle coming from Alaska is most likely rigged up with a system, maybe you can find a key remote under a seat somewhere. Hope that helps, thanks
 
Definitely looks to be the override switch for your remote start system. Flip the switch and try the remote start it probably won't work. Just make sure to flip it back then!
 
Its a valet switch for an alarm to prevent from arming itself. Every car that has an aftermarket alarm is supposed to have one like this or a button to shut the system off.
 
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