I'm trying to figure out just what that little round thing right under the air vent is. it's exact location is between the right side of the instrument panel and the center dash-to-console (where the stereo is). I guess i thought it was some silly coin holder, but when i popped it out of the dash, i saw a little 4-wire harness plugged into the back of it. What is it? a sensor for the climate control? because its right under the round vent that blows a lot of air across it.
john

 

It is a silly coin holder. The plug is for 4WD vehicles and you would have a switch rather then a coin holder.

 

ok, that does explains it, but where do the wires lead to? Sorry if i sound like an idiot, but im baffled. just doesn't make sense.
john

 

Those wires will lead back to the GEM. Should the vehicle have 4wd, the switch (three resistors) tells the GEM which mode the truck should be in based on the voltage it receives from the switch. Two of the wires control the 4wd, two of the wires control the illumination and are tied into the rest of the dash lights and the dimmer switch.


-Joe

 

ok, thanks. so it sounds like the wires and plug are doing absolutly nothing for my 2wd, right? is it safe to just bury that little faux-switch somewhere under the dash and use that space for another gauge? it's the perfect spot for my AirRide gauge.
john

 

Yes, been done a few times.

 

Correct. If your gauge is so-equipped, you could splice the wires for the gauge back-light into the two wires for the illumination, and they would be controlled by the same dimmer and headlight switch as the rest of the IP.

-Joe

 

Thanks for the enlightenment guys. funny, when i called the dearlership 2 different times and 2 different people, they both did not know and said they would find out and call me back. well, obviously, they didn't. i sure do appreciate the wealth of knowledge and experience from all the members of this board. thanks again.

 

oops