In a Riviera that has automatic climate control there are sensors in the dash. I'm only guessing but it could be for a sensor that was never installed. Just a guess.
The rectngular hole is where the dash light goes, but the round one with two mounting holes beside it is a mystery to me. Possibly somre sort of kill switch or a switch for fog lights? o No: Here are 2 pictures of mine - you can see the dash light lenses on each side of the dash..
Smartin, Your pics raised to me one question and one answer: 1) question: what is the switch on the left of the top switch (I have not it) :rant: 2) Answer: I have the feeling the F...previous owner(s) of my Centurion have clipsed the dash light the other way around, ie the bulb out. I was a bit surprised by my appearant bulbs and the wires that seems to pass through the wrong way. :spank: The round hole I wonder about is too "clean" for me for being an after market installation of something.
Answer 1: I have a rear window defroster, which does not work. It's sitting in my attic collecting dust. I didn't like the way it looked so I pulled it out when I restored my trunk. Trevor could be right about the automatic climate control sensor going there, but I've never seen one....so I don't knowo No:
Trevor, it seems you spotted on. Just found that: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4516016031&category=10076 But I don't recall there were not used wires in the dash. Need to look at it more closely next time I take it out.
Max Trac Switch The sensor for the automatic climate control on the '71 Centurions (and other full-size Buicks and Rivieras) was located on top of the dash pad on the passenger side. The thought that comes to my mind is whether your car was originally equipped with MaxTrac. I have not studied the control for this unit for some time, but it was located in the same general area as the dash light lens on the right side.
Brian, but with this Max Trac, there should be other items on the dash, such as switches, set up knobs, indicators, etc o No: ? same thing if it was a climate control ?
No, only an on/off switch Jean-Luc, there were no dashboard indicators for Max Trac -- only an on/off switch where that hole is in your panel. The system could be turned off if the driver did not want the system to function when needed. Are you familiar with MaxTrac? It was a forerunner of today's modern traction control systems. A small, onboard computer monitored rear wheel spin, and cut ignition to prevent loss of traction. This was not a common option on the '71's. This weekend, I will try to look up the exact number of '71 Centurion convertibles with the MaxTrac option. Regarding the automatic climate control, there would have been no switch or sensor where the hole in your panel is located. The climate controls would have included a small thermostat that you could set at your preferred temperature; the system would automatically maintain this temperature.
I'm positive (well 90% since I don't have the book in front of me) that there are three sensors that measure cabin temperature for the auto climate one on the top of the dash in front of the passenger, and I think there was one down by the kick panel too. I forget where the third one was. My Riv has (or had ,it doesn't work anymore) the Auto climate option. Like I said, only a guess. Could it be an access point to get at a screw, nut or bolt? I can't really tell where it is in relation to the rest of the dash in the picture.
The large round hole with the two smaller holes is for the Max Trac option. The location and dimensions for drilling the holes are shown in the shop manuals. Starting in 73, there is also a power antenna option that has a switch mounted in that same location. If a 73 or 74 Buick had both Max Trac and a power antenna, then the antenna switch was located on the other side of the rectangular cut out, towards the radio. Estate Wagons had a switch for rear window defoggers similar to the Max Trac switch, but mounted on the left side. They were used if the wagon already had the power rear window upper and lower halves. There would have been no more open spots for switches on the left side. So, if you had a fully loaded 73-74 Estate Wagon, you got 3 switches at the upper side of your dash, rear defroster, Max Trac and power antenna.
Joe, thanks, but I guess that by turning the lamp 180 with the bulb inside the dash would make it. If anything wrong, I'll go back to you... I am very proud of being among the 21 happy few Max trac owners....after the option is gone ! :Brow: :Brow: What other equipment should I find under the hood and certainly close to the wheels if there are some bits of this Max Trac left on the car ? By the way, after having discovered that Air Bags were already offered in the70's, I am surprised to see that systems to electronically assist traction were that old.
salut Jean-Luc, The max trac computer is located above the right kickpanel under the dash, if you follow the wires than you will find a thick isolated wire going to the left front wheel and one to the tranny The left front wheel disc is different from the normal wheel discs used. And its got a speed sensor attached near the disc. I have this option on my 73 Riviera GS, it hasnt worked yet... Are there a lot of buick out there in France?? Menno Bouma the Netherlands
Have seen quite a few Boat tails, not yet any Centurion. I often see some for sale, but mainly Special's and Eight's from the 40, 50's. They basically came in France post war when used by the US army officiers who stayed there for 10 years. For more info, you can visit this site http://forum.accf.com/index.php There is one topic for English speaking visitors at the bottom. Good for you in case you plan a trip to France ! And if you like ugly things, there is one at the moment: :grin: :grin: Beuark !! http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73585&item=4516246586&rd=1
Since the resaon for the hole has been cleared, I'd like to ask for what reason the small lamps that sit on the little rectangular plates, that face inwards under the dash exist. I haven't figured out a reason for these lamps, but maybe someone knows.
