That 3/4" thing sounds like a cigar lighter that is pushed all the way in
and probably has a blown fuse so it's stuck there.
Just a guess.
That other thing is called a silver socket. You can buy a variety of things
from BMW motorcycle dealers and BMW car dealers that plug into it.

Stan Wilder
----- Original Message -----
From: "don spence" <dspence@OANET.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: Mystery switch in centre of dash

> I have an 83.5 wbx, Canadian edition that has two minor mysteries in
> the dashboard. The first I believe is a power socket. Aluminum ring
> around a hole. Too small to accept a standard cigar lighter, in front
> of the passenger seat.
> The second is a black plastic spring loaded push button (switch?)
> located in the centre of the dash. Black part is about 3/4 inch in
> diameter surrounded by an aluminum bezel with what appears to be a
> greenish translucent ring around the button. I suspect it's a momentary
> contact switch of some kind but I have no idea what it's for.
> Any body know or care to guess.
> TIA