New guy, odd question

[michaelssmith21]

I recently bought a 72 Suburban C10, and while going through everything seeing what works and doesn't, I can't seem to find the purpose of the pull knob next to the heater control. Its on the right side, opposite of the ignition switch. The car doesn't have A/C, power steering, power brakes, or a manual choke. I've tried pulling, pushing back in the knob, and nothing seems to change. Its probably something obvious, but I can't seem to figure it out. It took me a while to figure out the reverse light switch on the floor, mostly because mine doesn't work.
Below is some pics of the current suburban, and what I hope to eventually turn her into. Thanks for the help.
Mike

[Chris H]

Originally Posted by michaelssmith21

I recently bought a 72 Suburban C10, and while going through everything seeing what works and doesn't, I can't seem to find the purpose of the pull knob next to the heater control. Its on the right side, opposite of the ignition switch. The car doesn't have A/C, power steering, power brakes, or a manual choke. I've tried pulling, pushing back in the knob, and nothing seems to change. Its probably something obvious, but I can't seem to figure it out. It took me a while to figure out the reverse light switch on the floor, mostly because mine doesn't work.
Below is some pics of the current suburban, and what I hope to eventually turn her into. Thanks for the help.
Mike

Cigar lighter?
Is it black with a sliver center? The center should depress and that would be like turning it "on", then the center pops out when it is hot and ready to light your smoke. Pull out on the black area and it should come out.

Or it is something totally different...

[krue]

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Pics would help us figure what you're talking about. Does sound like the cigarette lighter to me too.

[CG]

Look next door to see if the neighbors garage door opens and closes everytime you do that.

[Faster57]

The switch on the floor is probably the headlamp dimmer switch. Good luck on the project and Welcome!!!

[michaelssmith21]

No, its not a cigarette lighter, I do know that much about the car. It is connected to a cable running around the heater equip and then through the firewall. But I can't see where it goes from there.

There are two switches/buttons on the floor on my suburban, one on the left near the door is the high/low beam switch, the one on the right is the one I'm not sure about. Thanks for your help though.

[michaelssmith21]

Its in the same spot as the cigarette lighter would be, but its not a cigarette lighter. It is attached to a cable that runs around the heater equipment and then through the firewall, but I can't see where it comes out the other side. I may have to crawl underneath and feel above transmission to see where it goes.

[1LoC10]

you sure the floor one on the right, isnt just the ball that the gas pedal snaps to

[michaelssmith21]

Its on the floor trans tunnel bump, about 10-12 inches from the gas pedal. It doesn't appear to do anything, so I just get to see if I can chase the wires and see where it goes.

[Faster57]

Some of the GMC's had a hand throttle that was a cable.

[prairewolf]

My 72 owners manual says,.... Hand Throttle, optionally available, press gas pedal to desired engine speed,pull knob out to match engine speed, fine adjustment can be made by turning knob for increase or decrease in engine speed. ..... my sub has one too. I did not know how to use it till I just read it.lol.

I do not know if that helps or not.

welcome to the board.

[prairewolf]

About the other switch/button on the trans hump? ... maybe a previous owner wired in a (power cut-off) so the vehicle could not be hotwired and stolen?.... I have thought about doing something like that. ... just a guess.

[michaelssmith21]

Thanks everyone, I will have to try the hand throttle thing, it may not be connected anymore, at which case I will be uninstalling. I haven't had the chance to track down the button yet, the previous owner doesn't remember what it is either. O well, It doesn't seem to do anything, so I will probably just end up taking it out. Thanks
-Mike
-72 c10 Suburban

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

Couldn't be the throttle knob, that was mounted on the left side of the dash right below the headlight switch. It had a knob and bezel just like the headlight and wiper switch and had a plastic trim plate that said "THROTTLE". It could be an aftermarket choke cable the PO installed by the way you describe it.

[oldiron]

I have an idea its for a overdrive standard transmission at one time.

[CG]

Here is the pic of an overdrive handle on my 67 with 3spd. Not sure if they would have stuck with it all the way through 72.

[69halfton]

i know some guys put a switch similar to the high/low beam switch on the floor. It sent power to the windsheild wipers for a second, so that could copntrol them "intermittently", if you will.