Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 116 Series (Alfetta Sedan/GT/GTV & Giulietta Sedan) => Topic started by: NigelC on November 01, 2009, 02:04:50 PM

Title: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: NigelC on November 01, 2009, 02:04:50 PM
I was pulling out my dash (1979 GTV) to get a roll-cage fitted and noticed an, after-market button under the dash on the right hand side, it's marked sportsroof release.  It's just a simple push-button with a two-way joint each with a hose attached, actually I'm not sure it was attached to the hose because one end of the joint had come undone when I noticed.

One hose goes to the sunroof (up the 'A'-pillar) where it does precisely nothing, and the other goes to the brake servo as pictured. 

I can't begin to think what it is for and what happend if I disconnect it.
Title: Re: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: Sheldon McIntosh on November 01, 2009, 02:31:47 PM
Passenger ejector seat?
Title: Re: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: NigelC on November 01, 2009, 03:30:24 PM
More info ...

Between the servo and the button was a distributor check valve or vacuum check valve.  I have no idea what this does or why it's in my car.
Title: Re: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: Storm_X on November 01, 2009, 06:20:00 PM
do you have a picture of the other end of the hose ?
Title: Re: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: alfagtv152 on November 01, 2009, 07:01:25 PM
Hi Nigel,
I have not seen anything like it myself but from what you have shown it would be to vacuum operate the sun roof,some sort of auto open or close would be my guess.If you disconnect it make sure you plug the end at the brake booster,ie blank off the T joint so you do not lose vacuum.
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: NigelC on November 01, 2009, 07:02:15 PM
No I havent but I think I've worked it out.  The sunroof (an aftermarket rust attractor) originally had a 'lock' that could only be operated when the engine was running, so the roof remained secure when the car was turned off.  The button under the dash effectively provided air pressure to the lock when you pushed the button.  

The pressure was regulated through a distributor valve which I think works a bit like those showers that are designed to restrict the flow of water to just below that required for a decent shower!

I've disconnected it all now (the lock was not there when I bought the car), and sealed off the 't'-junction near the brake servo.  I'll get the hose replaced with one that doesn't have a 't'-junction.
Title: Re: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: NigelC on November 01, 2009, 07:04:16 PM
Andrew, I think you're right.

Thank you all for your help - especially the passenger ejection *thinks* 'very useful'.
Title: Re: HELP! What is this button for?
Post by: VeeSix on October 09, 2010, 01:11:06 PM
Where does the other end go?  ???