What is this strange metal on/off switch in my volvo?

[Dan]

it's a little metal 3 mode switch you would see a hundred of in a helicopter

to the top or the bottom is "off" and in the middle is "on"

i tried turning it on while on the highway and nothing happened. I tried when the car was off, when it was on but parked, nothing

98 v70

don't have the manual. also there are quite a few placeholders for more of these things to be added to the dash. its like right under the speedometer

thanks in advance