Unidentified nipple-like switch next to alarm LED on fascia

[nuts17]

I have had my 1995 W124 E220 for about a month, and am over the moon with it. However, there is a small nipple-like switch, next to the alarm LED on the fascia behind the steering wheel, which is puzzling me. It has a push in/pop out action, but nothing seems to happen when I push it in.

I have peered into other W124's to see if they have this switch installed and most do not. Then yesterday I saw one in an N reg. E320 parked outside my home! I later noticed the driver getting into the car, so I rushed outside hoping that he could enlighten me. No such luck! I discovered that the driver (a charming man) had owned the car for most of its 10 years, but that even he did not know what the switch was for! He had wondered about its purpose, initially, but then forgot about it.

Is there a knowledgeable enthusiast out there who can solve the mystery for me? If so, thanks a mint!

 

[jberks]

Not a clue - probably not a factory item. could you post a photo?

 

[Blobcat]

Is it there to disconnect the interior motion sensors? So you can lock the vehicle with people in it and the alarm not going off.

 

[nuts17]

Thanks, jberks and Blobcat. I will try to send a photo and look into the possiblity that it is there to disconnect the sensors.
Cheers!

 

[PINBALL]

Is this the estate?
does it have a towbar?
Some towbar cars in general had auxhilliary switches made to boost seperate caravan battery once on the move n cruisin'

Were not talking about the tick tock clock adjuster here are we?

enlighten me with a better spec on the model?

Also, is this button between alarm led & lights switch?

 

[nuts17]

Is this the estate?
does it have a towbar?
Some towbar cars in general had auxhilliary switches made to boost seperate caravan battery once on the move n cruisin'

Were not talking about the tick tock clock adjuster here are we?

enlighten me with a better spec on the model?

Also, is this button between alarm led & lights switch?

Hi, Pinball!
No, it doesn't have a towbar, and it's not the clock adjuster, It's a not very modern looking metal switch that one can push in, but it just pushes out again, and doesn't seem to have any purpose. I will just have to get my camera out when I have some time!
Thanks!

 

[PINBALL]

Nuts,
Think I would start looking around car to find any ancilliary equipment not normally seen on other similar models like:

Say a headlamps pressure washer / wiper for mountain blizzard driving.

Look under bonnet & compare with pictures in handbook to see if you can see any odd looking equipment thats seems to have been added on - like Airhorns perhaps (AHHH whatever did I do with that set of la-cacarachi horns I used to have on my Standard 10).
Look in fuses tray to see if any extra lines or spare lines are being used & remove to see what happens?
See also handbook for normal array of lamps that light in dashboard before you start the engine, & see if any other than normal warning lamps light up.

A bit hit & miss I know, but thats only what I would do.

You say theres no towbar, but have you looked under rear bumper to see if metalwork for one has been fitted, as MB fit a detachable towball bracket assembly.
Hope it helps,
Keith.