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

[darylrobert]

i did this a while ago, but because i didnt round the corners of the cut the plastic over some time started to crack/tear. Thats why aeroplane windows are rounded...
You can hardly tell which switch it is??...i did a heater core bypass a few summers ago and this switch turns the bypass on/off. Im soon to restore cooling system to normal as its not as effective as i was hoping.

adding aftermarket switch

switch mod.jpg (50.75 KiB) Viewed 968 times

[FMradio]

i did this a while ago, but because i didnt round the corners of the cut the plastic over some time started to crack/tear. Thats why aeroplane windows are rounded...
You can hardly tell which switch it is??...i did a heater core bypass a few summers ago and this switch turns the bypass on/off. Im soon to restore cooling system to normal as its not as effective as i was hoping.

switch mod.jpg

Haha. That looks nice. Thanks for sharing about rounding the corners, that's an interesting find and important if it's common for plastic to crack with a square edge.

Your cut in the plastic looks very precise, what kind of cutting tools did you use?

Best wishes for the cooling system fix. It's neat you can even control a bypass valve with a switch!

[darylrobert]

I think i used a dremel like tool. however this is my current mod project, getting OEM switches to work as on/off. I got the feel of the button as close to OEM using the original silicon boot they use on all switches apart from the audible click from the reverse mounted tactile switch. This particular switch will be used to open /close the garage door (we right hand drivers didnt get homelink) . I have another switch for my TPMS and im working on a third that will control a latching micro relay (ie turn on and stay on) for my front mounted camera.

OEM switches modification

[darylrobert]

How to get a factory ECC switch to operate aftermarket accessories, using a modified switch connected to a LM 393 voltage comparator module. Basically the module detects a change in voltage as set by the user.

LM 393 to detect volvo switch

VOLVO P2 switch mod

volvo p2 switch mod.jpg (61.94 KiB) Viewed 528 times

[darylrobert]

TPMS on/off switch

tpms.jpg (68.96 KiB) Viewed 474 times

ive added a TPMS on/off switch for my aftermarket setup. I had contacted some businesses that laser etch (same method used on OEM switches) and most said no but one said they could try, was too expensive so i had some vinyl stickers printed. looks better than that generic switch.