that trim piece serves no real purpose.  Just for appearance reasons.
I always remove them. ( one screw I believe )
It just makes it harder to grab the Injection Advance Knob, so I remove 'em.

if you still have that cable and knob ..
don't throw them away ....they are very useful for people converting to AAZ
1.9 TD's and non-electronic tdi engines.

that silver thing is an electrical socket
like a cigarette lighter socket, but different.  A plug-in accessory socket.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark L. Hineline" <hineline@OCOTILLOFIELD.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2010 4:44 PM
Subject: Couple of diesel dash questions

> My 1982 started life as a diesel. On the dash, there is an extra L-
> shaped piece of vinyl and foam that surrounds the warm up cable (or
> whatever that cable is). What purpose did that L-shaped piece serve?
>
> Also, there's a fixture just to the left of the heater controls. In
> other vans, that's where the control for the passager heat is, but
> it's not a big rectangular opening, just a small round fixture of
> unknown purpose.
>
> Mark
> 1982 Westy