What is this blank below the head unit?

[128keaton]

I couldn’t find this via google. Just something I noticed and was curious.

 

[mrahc]

Most likely where the rear heat (or AC, I can't tell) button would be.

 

[128keaton]

Most likely where the rear heat (or AC, I can't tell) button would be.

I believe 2002+ had rear AC standard. I have an ‘03

 

[SteelRain]

I'd like to know as well. Rear fog lamp switch for our European friends? Perhaps a switch for headlamp washers?

It would be nice to put an OE switch in there to have it control something cool.

 

[saucebox]

Rear AC/Heat is the one marked in the middle. Don't know the answer though, mine is blank as well.

 

[128keaton]

The dimple presses in. Ejecto seat? Good thing I didn’t press while driving.

 

[Njck22]

That is the blank for the rear heater blower.

No button available to my knowledge for the 03-07 LX470 models though. Not sure why it was never used in the later models.

Interestingly, the circuit board behind it even has the button circuit for it. It's just unused by the AC Amplifier in US models. It would not be difficult to order a similar cover, paint it to your liking, replace the blank and solder leads on the back of the circuit and use it for whatever you like.
I bet someone has done this....

 

[mrahc]

See, my '98 has rear heat, but not rear AC.

 

[Ayune]

I have a blank like that in my ‘98 LC. If I pop the cover off there’s a button underneath that I can press and the green indicator light goes on & off. Funny. The ECU is watching the button, toggling the light, and probably switching power on some unused connector somewhere.

I have rear heat but no AC or DVD or ejector seat.

 

[saucebox]

That is the blank for the rear heater blower.

It controls both heat and AC, at least in an '03 LX. Which one is in use is set by the thermostat controls in the roof above the DS rear seat.

 

[SteelRain]

But if the 2003+ has rear HVAC as standard...and the dashboard was redesigned for the 2003+ model year...why is there a switch blank?

This makes me think it's for ROW and not the USDM.

Unless the Japanese just thought they would put it there for a OE accessory or for a more uniform look.

 

[128keaton]

Would be a really cool place to put an OE switch for light pods or maybe drill out and put a CB mic jack.

 

[saucebox]

But if the 2003+ has rear HVAC as standard...and the dashboard was redesigned for the 2003+ model year...why is there a switch blank?

That I don't know. But I'm with @128keaton —it would be a nice factory blank for something.

 

[Ayune]

Would be a really cool place to put an OE switch for light pods or maybe drill out and put a CB mic jack.

Behind the climate controls is a large circuit board with all the lights and buttons and connectors so modifying it would likely break something else unless you carefully map out the real estate back there. You’re pretty much limited to whatever OE switch covers are available and I doubt there’s many. Maybe a JDM 100 has a cool option or two we didn’t get?

 

[rjones]

The link below is for the Cygnus in Japan, I believe it is the LX470 equivalent in Japapn. It looks as though their part 55905A at the bottom also has a blank! (which becomes 55905-60750 and is not available via US sources). Remember, RHD in Japan so the blank is on the other side.

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 100UZJ100W-GNAZK - ELECTRICAL - HEATING AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL AIR DUCT | Japan Parts EU

I looked up a similar source for European and Middle East and while the layout is different they have a blank spot too. The "D" location, but it isn't on the end, it is in the middle. Very intriguing...

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING - CONTROL & AIR DUCT[FRONT HEATER CONTROL ILLUST NO. 1 OF 5(9801-0208) ] TOYOTA LEXUS LX [UZJ100] (ASIA and MIDDLE EAST)

Cheers,
rjones

 

[jerryb]

cold climate rear heat I think, Like nick said. RC, RD, RH and MIR

 

[SteelRain]

Well, if they put a micro-switch on the PCB behind the switch, then there WAS a reason for it.

Strange how ROW shows nothing either.

Perhaps they were going to retrofit a factory installed accessory? Everything in that "stack" of buttons includes "heating"...rear HVAC, mirror heating, rear window heating (defrost)...did the 100 series ever have heating elements in the front windshield for parked wipers (Subaru) or maybe this was a related to pre-heater for a diesel variant?

 

[jerryb]

Go find a Russian 100, I mean a pic of one.

 

[Ayune]

I popped off my blank cover (old-style '98 dash) and the mirror heater button beside it, they're identical underneath. Both switches are monitored by the ECU with backlighting and an LED indicating "ON".

Assuming that the ECU toggles some accessible wire when the blank button is pressed (hell, you could even use the signal to the "ON" LED and buffer it), it wouldn't be difficult to 3D print a custom button cover for the blank space and wire up a relay that controls something. Any ideas?

 

[Njck22]

I popped off my blank cover (old-style '98 dash) and the mirror heater button beside it, they're identical underneath. Both switches are monitored by the ECU with backlighting and an LED indicating "ON".
Assuming that the ECU toggles some accessible wire when the blank button is pressed (hell, you could even use the signal to the "ON" LED and buffer it), it wouldn't be difficult to 3D print a custom button cover for the blank space and wire up a relay that controls something. Any ideas?

Spressomon has done this. He says there is a twelve-volt off-on-on output, doing exactly what you want.
FYI: 12V switched power sources

But under the driver's side front seat is the connector you can pull 12v power from that is switchable via the rear heater switch apart of the center dash console. You don't get separate "High or Low" switching but get "Off, On, On" though including the green LED showing the on, on and off positions!