I was talking on the phone with DIY_Stu, and he mentioned he removed the covering from his dash. I said I would like to see a picture of the stripped down dash. When I got the photo, I noticed something very interesting.

Looking closer, and Stuart and I talking about it, it looks like the map pocket was intended to have a glove box door at one point! From working through it, it made more and more sense as we tried to figure out what each part, hole, and slot could be.

Here is what we came up with. There is NO evidence to support this that I know of, but it seems to make sense:

A: Guide to keep pressure on the glove box door when closed
B: Latch mechanism
C: Round push in button for the light.
D: Glove box light, probably using the same lens as the one in the trunk looking at it's size.



So does this seem likely?

Makes sense, I always thought one that opened like the map pockets on the doors would be nice.

Close, but you're slightly off.

What was originally intended to eventually go into the map pocket area was a HUD of sorts. There is an assigned RPO code that would have been given to the unit. There are a few threads on the forum that show Pontiac service manuals referencing the unit, in addition to including an actual wiring diagram. Additionally, some members have noted that cars built around '86 - '87-ish have an extra plug in the front harness that has nothing connected to it.

Hopefully somebody can help me with the exact thread(s). Dang why can't I remember what things are called when it's actually important?!...

The large opening there is likely where the harness would have attached, and the smaller points are either more wiring or mounting points (it would have been heavy duty).

However, points B and C on your picture above do seem like they could hold a sort of glove box compartment.

[This message has been edited by Fiero84Freak (edited 03-22-2011).]

Yes there was supposed to be a rally computer in 86. The hole is for the wiring harness. That spare plug came through the hole and plugged into the Rally computer. There was also another subharness that went up the A pillar on the passenger side to a compass sensor box in the dome light assembly. The RPO code was UV4 I believe.

^^^^ THANK YOU! That's what I was trying to remember.

Now the real question is... What would the rally computer have done? :]

Ask Fred Bartemeyer.. he has lots of information on the Fieros.

From what I remember, its location didn't support the driver. In other words, the driver would have to take their eyes off the road and find the data on the computer, and I'd bet the liability issue from GM's "Law Team" was "Don't do it".

Now, if it just accumulated data, to be read leter, then maybe. But come on. Drive down the road and (when safe) attempt to look over in that area, see how foolish it would be.

Rob

The rally computer was to display MPG, fuel remaining, and Distance to empty. It also had an electronic compass with a sensor above the dome lights.