Normally not posting much in the 100 series forum, but thought I might offer some ideas on fixing the pesky HVAC buttons.
My HVAC panel on my 2000 LX470 that didn’t have NAV (yay!) began acting up particularly in colder weather. Namely the OFF and Rear Heater buttons failed to change selection when pressed upwards of dozens of time.
On a random side bar of acquiring a shop grade 4 channel oscilloscope, I ended up on a Snap On Modis forum. The older Modis scan tool/scopes have a similar issue where the membrane buttons failed in a similar fashion. A number of people recommended CaiKote 44, a paint on silver conducting paint.
So, back to the frustrating buttons of the LX HVAC, I ordered some on Amazon and got to work. It comes in a remarkably small vial, with some applicators and cleaning tools. Two Amazon reviews were key to my success: apply a light light coat, and bake in toaster over at lowest setting to cure for 20 mins.
As a beta test, I did just the OFF button and the Rear Heater button about 2 months ago. They have worked perfectly since so I got busy with remaining buttons today.
A few things to note:
It’s easy to loose the small blue silicone button bodies, so keep a good workspace.
A light coat is key. I used a tooth pick and lightly dabbed the CaiKote on the black surfaces of the now removed blue silicone button bodies.
When curing, Make a foil tray for toaster oven and put a fork or something like that in it so it doesn’t float around when heating-it will if you don’t.
Bake them for 20 mins or so at lowest setting. Before attempting to re-install, any of the CaiKote that is not on the black carbon pad, and instead on the blue silicone button bodies needs to be removed but flakes off easily. Do so and start your re-installation process. It’s tedious(!), the hardest annd longest part of the process and quite a pain in the butt, but worth it, and no soldering in a near correct sized replacement membrane switch.
My HVAC panel on my 2000 LX470 that didn’t have NAV (yay!) began acting up particularly in colder weather. Namely the OFF and Rear Heater buttons failed to change selection when pressed upwards of dozens of time.
On a random side bar of acquiring a shop grade 4 channel oscilloscope, I ended up on a Snap On Modis forum. The older Modis scan tool/scopes have a similar issue where the membrane buttons failed in a similar fashion. A number of people recommended CaiKote 44, a paint on silver conducting paint.
So, back to the frustrating buttons of the LX HVAC, I ordered some on Amazon and got to work. It comes in a remarkably small vial, with some applicators and cleaning tools. Two Amazon reviews were key to my success: apply a light light coat, and bake in toaster over at lowest setting to cure for 20 mins.
As a beta test, I did just the OFF button and the Rear Heater button about 2 months ago. They have worked perfectly since so I got busy with remaining buttons today.
A few things to note:
It’s easy to loose the small blue silicone button bodies, so keep a good workspace.
A light coat is key. I used a tooth pick and lightly dabbed the CaiKote on the black surfaces of the now removed blue silicone button bodies.
When curing, Make a foil tray for toaster oven and put a fork or something like that in it so it doesn’t float around when heating-it will if you don’t.
Bake them for 20 mins or so at lowest setting. Before attempting to re-install, any of the CaiKote that is not on the black carbon pad, and instead on the blue silicone button bodies needs to be removed but flakes off easily. Do so and start your re-installation process. It’s tedious(!), the hardest annd longest part of the process and quite a pain in the butt, but worth it, and no soldering in a near correct sized replacement membrane switch.
