Blank Unexplained Button

[whyme]

hiya guys quick question please i currently have a focus 1.6 tdci estate on a 55 plate and im curious as to find out what a blank button is for when i say button its no its a blanking plate over what seems to be some sort of switch or buld housing.

its located in the very bottom of the dash infront of the gear stick in the middle of the bank of 4 buttons is my rear and front heater button and the one in question im asking about it the far left one i flipped it out the other day to find a white connector and some wires going to it cant test if live or not and dont want to incase it blows something

its in the pic here middle 2 are for front and back screen heaters i know that but the far left one ???? any help will be much appreciated in advance

[JW1982]

The connector is probably for the optional passenger airbag deactivation warning light. The passenger airbag deactivation system consists of a keyswitch which is installed into the glove box and a warning light.

[dezwez]

I think they were used for heated seats

[TomsFocus]

It's not heated seats, they're further out. I don't know what it's for either, my Titanium has a blank there as well...

[JW1982]

The blank on one side is on the position of the passenger airbag deactivation control light. The blank on the other side is on the position of the ESP button.

[TomsFocus]

Ah I see, I knew about the ESP (they moved it to the dash panel instead) but didn't realise that was passenger airbag activation. Is it not fitted on later models? Not something I've ever needed as I don't drive with babies, but I haven't noticed it anywhere else.

[JW1982]

The passenger airbag deactivation system was optional. The parts needed to install this system are pretty expensive. Next to the parts this function must also configured correctly in the vehicles software. In some countries this system was not even available because of legal issues. In the Netherlands this system was available but required signing a declaration about responsibility.

[TomsFocus]

Oh right! I've had it in every previous car (not had a Ford before though) so just assumed it was standard, didn't realise that wasn't the case! Learnt something there lol.