DIY Tutorial: Adding aftermarket center console switches (under climate controls) 05-09

[FMradio]

Introduction
Hello, if you want to add aftermarket buttons to your climate control/center console, but you aren't sure what to expect/how to do it/how much space you have for your buttons, I am making this post to compile some (hopefully) helpful info. My climate control is 05-09 style, But I think the climate control module maybe similar for earlier years therefore this guide may be helpful for pre-05 cars. I'm referring to the buttons located under the climate control.

Steps
To add aftermarket buttons (ones that don't plug into the existing circuitboard), you need to remove the radio+CCM (climate control module) unit.

WARNING: your battery negative needs to be disconnected before unplugging the CCM, else you may trigger a SRS light. Then disassemble the CCM and you are able to access the empty space where you may run wires/add a button or control knob.

Tutorial videos in order:

1. Disconnect battery. (by Peppermint)https://youtu.be/jdW0t2FJCfA

   ...disconnecting the battery [is] very important.
   That's fan OFF, key Pos 0, wait 5-10 mins, disconnect battery, perform work, key in Pos II before reconnecting battery.
   Failure to do so can result in an SRS DIM error (VIDA to reset) or worst, a module's configuration can become corrupt!

• Remove radio/CCM as a unit.
  • Instructions for 05-09. (by D GOldman)https://youtu.be/nlYETDPkr8o
  • Instructions for pre-05 cars (by Peppermint): https://youtu.be/ihLMIpfYfkI

• Separate radio and CCM (by JustMe6904) https://youtu.be/r9gLpSW0A8M?t=2m59s

• Disassemble CCM (by heaps of projects)
  https://youtu.be/E1PC3boBPLM?t=3m49s

• Bonus/optional step. You can replace any burnt out CCM backlight LEDs. They are easily unscrewed. Instructions (by Farpoint Farms): https://youtu.be/pXwGpYj-uFs?t=2m59s)
  • Note: A YouTuber (M R) says that some bulbs burn out in a month because they are the wrong voltage for the CCM. So be mindful that you may need to add resistors if you buy incorrect bulbs.

    Q: Climate Control bulbs is from China T4.2 ? For me, they work only around 1 month
    
    A: Hi. Yes. One month is too long for these leds Runs short because the car voltage ranges from 12.6 volts to 14.2 volts and above. The LED needs to be lit from 1 volt to 3 volts, depending on the color of the LED. So this requires soldering resistors. And will work very long

    Instructions by M R: https://youtu.be/avBzwKVeWrI

• Removal of 12 volt cigarette lighter outlet so you can drill a hole for wiring to exit the CCM (by M R) https://youtu.be/XKe2vqSNrvE

• Reinstall and plug in CCM before reconnecting battery. Radio doesn't need to be installed if you don't want to.

• rewatch Peppermint's video in step 1 to see how to reconnect battery. (it's important to turn on low beams & put ignition in on position before reconnecting the battery. I forgot once and didn't cause any problems but you should do it)

What you'll see inside the CCM:
When you have the CCM disassembled, you'll see the space where the center console switches reside and a few empty, unused spaces. There are actually connectors present for every possible switch position (7 in total), along with the circuit board behind it, limiting usable space for your aftermarket switch.

Measurements of useful space to fit your aftermarket button
I measured the usable space to the best of my ability and took pictures of what it looks like inside the climate control module. I measured the blank switch placeholder from my car to determine dimensions/space. Hopefully it helps you figure out if your aftermarket button / knob will fit.

Here are pics and my diagram of the center console switches area (please don't mind the soda residue) https://photos.app.goo.gl/qhVMMGd957PttMRVA

(Photos and PDF of my diagram are also attached to this post for backup purpose)

• Note that buttons are at a slight angle
  The faceplate and center console switches are slightly slanted for styling purposes, so aftermarket switches screwed onto the faceplate will sit at a slight angle. The angle of faceplate with respect to the bottom of the CCM is 82 degrees according to my dubious geometry. You might decide to estimate the diagonal length needed to fit your switch (e.g. any protruding circuitboard) using some geometry.

Idea about testing if your aftermarket button fits
You may want to cut a piece of cardboard to size of your switch and stick it in the empty button space, and reassemble the CCM to make sure your aftermarket switch fits and no conductive surfaces are touching the CCM circuitboard.

[brobert]

Nice post and DIY skills. I don't want to highjack your thread but have 3 comments about genuine Volvo CCM buttons:

1) Your comments about disconnecting the battery are very important.
That's fan OFF, key Pos 0, wait 5-10 mins, disconnect battery, perform work, key in Pos II before reconnecting battery.
Failure to do so can result in an SRS DIM error (VIDA to reset) or worst, a module's configuration can become corrupt!

2) If you search online, you can learn to modify Volvo push-buttons to change their functionality.
That is you can take a spare DSTC button for example, modify it and you now have an AUX lighting button
The AUX lighting button does not appear to need configuration change (i.e. add the button + lights and you're done).
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/info ... tc.217148/

3) I have added folding mirrors to my 2006 V70 using genuine Volvo parts (mirrors and button).
I installed the mirror control button and modified my CEM configuration to activate the mirrors (works well and I love the feature).
One day, the backlight bulb for the mirror switch stopped working - no problem I pulled the switch and replaced the bulb.
I re-installed and to my absolute surprise, the CEM had changed its configuration and removed the folding mirror option.
The lesson here is to disconnect the battery before messing with these buttons because even when off, the CEM is "watching".
In my view, whoever at Volvo put that functionality in the CEM had a weird sense of humor.

/BR

[yanga001]

Nice post and DIY skills. I don't want to highjack your thread but have 3 comments about genuine Volvo CCM buttons:

1) Your comments about disconnecting the battery are very important.
That's fan OFF, key Pos 0, wait 5-10 mins, disconnect battery, perform work, key in Pos II before reconnecting battery.
Failure to do so can result in an SRS DIM error (VIDA to reset) or worst, a module's configuration can become corrupt!

2) If you search online, you can learn to modify Volvo push-buttons to change their functionality.
That is you can take a spare DSTC button for example, modify it and you now have an AUX lighting button
The AUX lighting button does not appear to need configuration change (i.e. add the button + lights and you're done).
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/info ... tc.217148/

3) I have added folding mirrors to my 2006 V70 using genuine Volvo parts (mirrors and button).
I installed the mirror control button and modified my CEM configuration to activate the mirrors (works well and I love the feature).
One day, the backlight bulb for the mirror switch stopped working - no problem I pulled the switch and replaced the bulb.
I re-installed and to my absolute surprise, the CEM had changed its configuration and removed the folding mirror option.
The lesson here is to disconnect the battery before messing with these buttons because even when off, the CEM is "watching".
In my view, whoever at Volvo put that functionality in the CEM had a weird sense of humor.

/BR

Will see if i can confirm point 2 later this year. Thanks for posting this, i thought i would need to upload software upgrade for aux lighting!

[matthew1]

FMradio, this is outstanding. Great writeup. Bullet points, indented bullet points(!), photos, a video, links, attribution, a bolded important warning, and the use of the Pythagorean Theorem(!!!).

Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth if I ask for a photo of the climate control unit with the new button post re-assembly?

I made your account MVS Contributor to say thanks for your work in putting this writeup together.

[brobert]

I tried adding this button on my V70 MY06 today and can confirm that the Aux. Light signal works without any software changes (for once!).
You simply follow the Volvo Aux. Light kit instructions (VCC-264259-1.pdf) and don't forget to "cold boot" (i.e. battery disconnect).
I tried it without the cold boot process and my CCM was reporting in VIDA that the new added switch was defective!
Also, it wasn't clear to me (but makes sense) that the function is only active (ground on the connector's brown wire, meant for a high-current relay) when you go to high-beams.

/BR

Will see if i can confirm point 2 later this year. Thanks for posting this, i thought i would need to upload software upgrade for aux lighting!

[yanga001]

Thank you for confirming this! I am tempted to add the aux switch and a second switch for keeping the lights on. Will splice a line into the ground for the aux power line and connect it to a high power relay. That way power can be selected between the two switches. Will draw it later.

[FMradio]

thank you so much for sharing and for the feedback! It's great to hear we can add aux lights without software mods. Did you have to pay a lot to update your CCM? I assumed that we'd need some software update to add any features to the CCM, but it's nice the aux lights work without update, my dad might want that!

I wanted to share this diy guide where they remove resistors to to change a different button into the aux light button. I'm guessing the buttons use resistor combinations to identify what its function is? viewtopic.php?p=642699#p642699

And I will add your advice about the battery to the original post (is it okay?), thanks so much. It seems Volvo loves software updates and being picky about things. On our 2006 BMW they have an options menu to adjust some settings like lock indicators, auto locking, etc. which Volvo requires SW update for. Did you manage to get folding mirrors back?

[FMradio]

Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth if I ask for a photo of the climate control unit with the new button post re-assembly?

I made your account MVS Contributor to say thanks for your work in putting this writeup together.

Thank you so much for the kind words and it's an honor to have the contributor badge!! I never expected that. I really appreciate this website and its users because without it we would be without a great deal of Volvo knowledge. It's really important and it's an honor to be part of that. Thanks for running it.

I have documented adding the button, and so far it's successful except I need to adjust where the wiring goes. But perhaps this can be a helpful example for what to expect adding a button.

Here's a reddit post which has collages and some notes:

And the pictures directly: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vo8mBuV3idJebbaWA

[brobert]

thank you so much for sharing and for the feedback! It's great to hear we can add aux lights without software mods. Did you have to pay a lot to update your CCM? I assumed that we'd need some software update to add any features to the CCM, but it's nice the aux lights work without update, my dad might want that!

I wanted to share this diy guide where they remove resistors to to change a different button into the aux light button. I'm guessing the buttons use resistor combinations to identify what its function is? viewtopic.php?p=642699#p642699

And I will add your advice about the battery to the original post (is it okay?), thanks so much. It seems Volvo loves software updates and being picky about things. On our 2006 BMW they have an options menu to adjust some settings like lock indicators, auto locking, etc. which Volvo requires SW update for. Did you manage to get folding mirrors back?

The sad story is: Volvo option "software" is just a temporary piece of code to change one configuration byte in the CEM
In other words, your Volvo likely has all the software for the options of that model/year - you're just paying to enable it.
If you get the CEM configuration breakdown, you will see all the options (fog lights, trip computer, metric/imperial, speed limiter, TPMS, etc.).
Volvo could have designed it so that options would be controlled from VIDA (or when adding new switches) but no, they had to monetize it.
Somehow, the Auxiliary Light feature slipped through as it is available without drama once the switch is installed.
Another feature that I think slipped through is the trailer adapter module - attach it to the REM (connector E) and it just works!
See this thread for more information on the trailer module: viewtopic.php?t=23585
Yes, my motorized mirrors are functioning as they should (extend and retract).

Edit to add:
What you are swapping around in the Volvo switches are small diodes creating binary IDs for the various functions (DSTC, mirror, lights, etc.).
I point this out because diodes have a polarity (unlike resistors) so pay close attention to the component markings when modifying switches.

/BR

[FMradio]

Such a shame they do that to the options on the car! Thanks for the additional info. The trailer option sounds pretty important. And important to know about the diodes. You're a wizard at this stuff, you know a super ton!!

I've seen this somewhat expensive OBD2 adapter that changes the options on Volvo. I saw it on volvosweden YouTube channel. But I'm not sure that it can do things necessary to enable the CCM buttons. And I noticed it has a subscription model. Pah! But it works on even the newest Volvos which is cool.