So I decided to take my dash off when I got home to see if I could figure out what was causing my awful speaker crackling (any ideas?) and I remembered that there was a weird switch behind my ashtray that prevented it from closing completely. Whenever I depress the switch I can hear a relay click somewhere behind the dash. Anyway, switch is mounted to the top of the ashtray bracket and when I push it in it activates the switch and it's grounded to a bolt on the radio (doesn't make much sense), and goes under the steering wheel. I did remove the panel to try to figure out where it goes, but it was starting to get dark. I put everything back together, radio didn't work any better at all. Went under the hood and re-attached the negative terminal and then started my car up to move it. Negative. Didn't start. I could hear the fuel pump priming but it wouldn't even attempt to turn over. Took the trim off AGAIN and realized I didn't re-attach the ground from the switch. Hooked it up, car started fine. What the hell is up with this? I can't find anything about this switch. I also noticed that the shielding on the wire said something like "pro installs"...

Usually that type of switch is used for a hood switch or maybe truck to indicate the hood/trunk is open for either a remote start or alarm. What it sounds like to me is someone used this switch for a primitive starter/kill switch to try to prevent theft. Maybe they push the ashtray in when parked (no start) and open ashtray to start. Its not OEM and the only thing that switch is doing is grounding a single wire circuit, the switch is probably grounding a relay to permit starting/running.

That makes way too much sense! Thanks. haha