fuel shutoff switch gone
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fuel shutoff switch gone
my fuel shutoff switch is gone. It was always at its spot in the passenger legroom. Recently, I removed the glovebox and noticed it was not there. Searched the whole area - it's really gone 
No empty wire around, it simply vanished. Any ideas where it could have gone? Is this a case for the X-files? 
No empty wire around, it simply vanished. Any ideas where it could have gone? Is this a case for the X-files?
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Tom, this sounds like too many brewfests in Bavaria - yes? If not, could some miscreant have used their Swiss Army knife to steal your shutoff switch? Being one of the few Aeros over there perhaps you were an unwitting parts donor. They would have at least had to jumper the wires together in order for the van to run. That sounds like an awfully considerate thief. Is it really missing or is this a long range case of leg pulling? The switch is just above the kick panel on the passenger side - is this where you are looking?
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Actually, I was sober when I found this out. I have used the switch a few times in the past when I just wanted to turn the engine without starting. There's the empty space in the panel where I know it's supposed to be.
Parts donor, that's probably it. Good idea, though. I think I'll go out at night with a sawzall (there should be one on my Swiss Army Knife - it's the big fat thing) and cut the trailer hitch from someone else's Aerostar. Need to get one anyway and it'll be muchos Swiss Francs if I buy one.
I'll remove the kick panel and look again.
Parts donor, that's probably it. Good idea, though. I think I'll go out at night with a sawzall (there should be one on my Swiss Army Knife - it's the big fat thing) and cut the trailer hitch from someone else's Aerostar. Need to get one anyway and it'll be muchos Swiss Francs if I buy one.
I'll remove the kick panel and look again.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Tom,
This is most bizarre thing I've ever heard of. At least your sense of humor is still intact - love the S.A. knife visual. If you need another switch, I'll be glad to round up one for you. I'm headed to the boneyard tomorrow morning so it wouldn't be any trouble.
Have you had the van in for any service work recently? When I was a young buck, my first job was in a L/M dealership as an "appearance technician", aka car wash boy. I observed many times mechanics cannibalizing customer's cars for parts that were not in stock. I would like to believe those practices ended in the '70s but one never knows for sure these days.
This is most bizarre thing I've ever heard of. At least your sense of humor is still intact - love the S.A. knife visual. If you need another switch, I'll be glad to round up one for you. I'm headed to the boneyard tomorrow morning so it wouldn't be any trouble.
Have you had the van in for any service work recently? When I was a young buck, my first job was in a L/M dealership as an "appearance technician", aka car wash boy. I observed many times mechanics cannibalizing customer's cars for parts that were not in stock. I would like to believe those practices ended in the '70s but one never knows for sure these days.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Washington state
Actually, my cherry '96 AWD ext. is the only car I've owned that miscreant juvenile joyriders would NOT steal.
No alarm system, no lock bar, leave unlocked in driveway so they don't break window glass.
Even these hopped up doped out teenagers know an ugly green slow whale when they see one.
I see them often in the mall parking lots, car shopping. Only Beemers, hot Japanese imports and Corvettes.
No alarm system, no lock bar, leave unlocked in driveway so they don't break window glass.
Even these hopped up doped out teenagers know an ugly green slow whale when they see one.
I see them often in the mall parking lots, car shopping. Only Beemers, hot Japanese imports and Corvettes.
