What does this switch do?

[skip]

I have a 1992 Isuzu MU Auto with 2.8TD.
There is a switch next to the choke that has been replaced with a switch that I cant tell if it is off or on.
The reason im wondering is that I had it for 2 day's and the battery went flat, so I think something is left on and I cant figure out what.

Also are they known for using oil or water/coolant?

TIA, cheers

[Les]

Hi skip i have same year mu as you i figure by choke you mean the knob which adjusts engine idle. the switch right next to this is for rear window demister normally even if turned on power supply to it in normally turned off by ignition unless someones rewired it for another purpose i doubt it thats a problem. MU,s dont use water/coolant howerer there are a lot of hoses which could be causing problems particularly if yours has high kms The vehicles do tend to leak a little oil due to issues with engine breathers. largely this can be cured fairly simply.if you can describe your probs and give u an ideah of mileage theres lots of good advice help to be had on this site
Cheers Les

[geeves]

If your useing water look for a leak. Ive had 5 hoses leak then burst one outright resulting a a tow truck ride home. If any are leaking replace the lot. There have been 3 stories of engines destroyed by bad hoses.
Oil use can be a problem if the engine has excess blow by This can be reduced with a catch can.
Best way to look for a current leak is put an amp meter into the batery circuit then start removeing fuses till the offending circuit is found then trace to the culprit.

[skip]

Thanks for the replies, I discovered that the switch turns the engine fan on without the motor on, I dont know why but it does.
Mine has no oil leaks or water leaks, its just when I bought it 3 days ago it had basically no oil or water in it, which made me jump abit but I think its going to be fine.

So far I am impressed with the MU and cant wait to take it down to the High country to really test it ;D.

cheers

[James W]

"I discovered that the switch turns the engine fan on without the motor on"

You might want to take the supply for that switch and move it to something running of the ignigiton to avoid the problem again. As someday someone will leave it on again. Another option is put a thermstat switch on it so it does it automaticly... anything that has this impact on a vehicle and requires ya to remember aint so good. Especially if you are stuck in the bush.

Good luck

[skip]

Thanks for that, will do.

Any idea why it would be wired up to do this? Is it to cool the engine with the motor off?

cheers

[James W]

I imagine so, to let it cool off, but you have already seen the con. Thats why I was thinking a thermostat better in both cases, takes the human memory out and still cools after switching off.

[skip]

How much would I be looking at to get one and have it installed roughly, the funds are abit scarce at the moment.

cheers

[geeves]

Wont be hard No more than an hours labour and almost no parts. I would do it my self

[draganlada]

Craig & Davis Thermo switch kit costs about $50 Au at the Repco or Super Cheap.

[skip]

Thanks for that all, I will look into it.

cheers

[sneeble]

I have a switch on mine which nobody knows what its for, its beside the hood lever, obviously an after market extra and no obvious use. There is another switch well which does work and that has a tendency to confuse the uninitiated, its a 2nd overdrive switch which is handy when you need to step down...just a fraction and not turn the overdrive off. Was this a factory switch originally? Or another aftermarket accessory?

[geeves]

Yours is an oddball even if it did come frome the factory like that. I have a Isuzu published book here that states that the ubs55 bighorn never had an auto. Yours is only one of 3 Ive seen with an auto ever. (they were all Lotus spec like yours)
The switch by the hood leaver was probably for after market lights that wernt legal in NZ at the time of inporting The other switch will be factory According to my book there should be 2 push button switches The left is marked normal the right is power. These change the shift points in the auto