There's a mystery switch in my Bongo!

[Gigantor]

Hello!
Hopefully one of you nice people might be able to help me out. Just below and to the left of the steering wheel there is a mysterious switch. When the power is off, it does nothing. When the power is on, a set of soft chiming beeps comes from somewhere behind the glove compartment, starting slow and then getting faster and then they stop.
I took a look behind the glove compartment but I can't see anything obvious - has anyone got any ideas what it could be?
I've stuck a video on youtube to give a better idea of what the switch looks like and what the beeps sound like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nuq_VgmqSo


Please help - Imy wife would like to be sure it's not an ejector seat

[jaylee]

I name that tune in one!

Why not remove the glove box (a couple of seconds to do.) locate the source of the bing.. (Could be a box wired in with a name on?) & post a picture up for an ID???

I'm interested!

[dave_aber]

Sounds like a reverse bump-warning thing. Possibly some part-removed accessory fitted in Japan?

Defo worth popping the glovebox out and haveing a butchers in the space in front of it - you never know what else you might find in there!

[wormey]

, not seen anything like that before. does you have drill holes in the front bumper on the passneger side.

I'd also follow the wires from the switch and see where they go.

[waycar8]

I have the same switch in the same location but it doesnt beep, tonight when its dark fire up the bongo turn on the lights, then flick the switch on, if your lights switch off go for a drive (or just move bit) and they will come back on, its some sort of jap battery saving thing, when you stop at traffic lights and ect it automatically dims them to off then when you set off the come back on. I have mine switched off all the time as I dont know the legallity of using such a devise in this country

Might not be this, as mine doesnt beep, but with most after market stuff you can disable or turn off beeps.

[Gigantor]

Took the glovebox off to take a better look

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29604123@N08/5084122556/

Does any of that look non-standard?

Up close, the bing noise seems to come from the rightish, possibly near the back of the CD player. It's really difficult to work out where exactly though - certainly doesn't obviously come from a little box as I was hoping

There are no signs of sensor shenanigans on the bumpers - I tried switching the button on and driving/reversing up to the neighbours fence but no additional bings sounded. Next step is to try and follow the wires I suppose...

[Gigantor]

oh, and thanks for the tip waycar8, I'll give the lights thing a try tonight

[dave_aber]

All looks pretty standard, apart from the red/blue wiring at the top right of the picture. Can you take a photo looking at that, and the back of the stereo area?

[Eranim]

Hi I have a similar switch in mine... do you have corner sensors? if so and if the switch does the same as mine then it switches off the beeper leaving just warning lights to flash as you get near anything, NigelD

[New Forest Terrier]

I had a mystery box in my Bongo which talked in Japanese rather than beeped. This turned out to be a Japanese radar trap detector. Obviously of very dubious legality in Japan, as the box was hidden at the back of the cubby hole and the antenna was fitted behind the grille. All designed so that anyone having a quick look in the Bongo would not find it.

Unfortunately it did not work in UK as there was never a word out of it near any speed cameras Apart from an obscure chat, or perhaps teach yourself some Japanese, it was of no use at all and was removed as part of a decluttering of defunct electrical kit.

[jaylee]

Took the glovebox off to take a better look

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29604123@N08/5084122556/

Does any of that look non-standard?

Up close, the bing noise seems to come from the rightish, possibly near the back of the CD player. It's really difficult to work out where exactly though - certainly doesn't obviously come from a little box as I was hoping

There are no signs of sensor shenanigans on the bumpers - I tried switching the button on and driving/reversing up to the neighbours fence but no additional bings sounded. Next step is to try and follow the wires I suppose...

Yep, looks like the standard gubbins in the picture...

Try the gap between the bottom of the radio & the top of the cubby hole recess behind the dash, Or the top bit under dash just below the A pillar?? Plenty of room there! Could be some sort of "Road Angel" device!!? I've only ever heard that bing before on aircraft...