Technical Ducato Minibus 2018 - what's this panel indicator light?!

[DevsAd]

Hi.

A fellow driver reported that he found this green illuminated double-arrow indicator light to be annoyingly intrusive, and texted me to ask what it was for. I surfed the interweb and found now't.

Apologies for lousy photo as I didn't have the key for the van, but hopefully it can be made out. This is an additional switch panel located under the 'Mode' panel, and has two blanks, this double-arrow indicator light, and an internal light switch.

What does the double arrow indicator indicate?!

Thanks.

 

[portland_bill]

"A fellow driver"
This van has been modified, and the switch panel, and whatever it operates, is part of the modification. You, as a driver of it, should have had some training on its features, and the company that carried out the modifications should have provided some literature on it.
The switch appears to be up/down arrows. Is there a lift of some sort, for wheelchairs perhaps? This is likely the isolation switch for that. Turn it off and see what no longer works.

Warning lights are colour coded.
Green: Information
Yellow: Warning - something needs attention soon.
Red: Warning - too late.
Blue: Either the headlamp main beams, or you're in trouble.

Examples:
Indicators use green, to remind you they are on. As does lights on, and front foglight.
Rear fog light uses yellow, as there are legal restrictions about their use, so should be extinguished as soon as they're not needed. Engine management lights are usually yellow, you can keep driving, but should get it diagnosed as soon as possible.
Oil pressure is red. Engine already dead. Battery light is red, as running with this on is very short-term.

Aftermarket manufacturers will mostly conform to this standard, so the light being green suggests something that is available, not necessary, but perhaps should be turned off when not needed.

 

[LandyAndy]

Not for air suspension is it? Compressor system to raise lower the vehicle?

 

[Tinaareba]

Agree with Landyandy. Did the bus originally have a ramp ? This should raise and lower the air suspension to help with the angle of the ramp for wheelchairs.

 

[Communicator]

May I suggest interior illumination, as that is what the icon on the highlighted switch suggests.

 

[DevsAd]

Many thanks everyone.

To clarify - the two-arrow indicator is an indicator only, and not a switch. Yes, it sits beside the interior light switch, which - as I recall - turns on the rear seating overhead lights.

Yes, the 'bus does/did have a ramp, but it's a manual type that needs physically unfolding, and is not powered. Pretty sure the arrows don't indicate air suspension, as this isn't required - the unfolded ramp sloped down to the ground as it is. In any event, it's just a light and not a switch.

Ah! Portland and all, you've just given me a thought. It could very well indicate the state of the ramp, whether it's up or down! We had the ramp removed quite recently as it wasn't required, and I recall there was a detection switch as part of the mechanism, which I understood triggered a warning buzzer if the ramp was down. After the ramp was removed, I asked the guy who removed it whether the warning buzzer was sounding, but he said 'no'. So, I bet the switch just triggers a warning LIGHT!

Should be easy to check next time I have access to the 'bus.

Thanks all - almost certainly you got me there! I'll confirm once I know

 

[HughJampton]

If the two additional switches are related, my money is on an extra retractable step on the side entrance (particularly if it's a toggle switch), and an additional entry lamp.

(It looks to me as if they aren't illuminated for warning, simply illuminated for location purposes).

 

[DevsAd]

Just to confirm, folks, it was the 'down' indicator light for the rear manual wheelchair ramp that had been removed - good call, Portland. Managed to keep the button held in using a couple of tie-wraps, and driver no longer dazzled...
Cheers.