What's behind this?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

paflytyer

Toyota Trails Editor / 100s in the Hills
Media Partner
Joined
Sep 27, 2011
Threads
63
Messages
2,618
Location
ColoRADo
I need a new space for a switch. What's behind this blank and is there enough room to add/run some wires?
blank.webp
 
Do a search. There are well documented and illustrated threads on this issue in here.
Behind that blank is a PCB, and a small switch wired directly into an ECU. You could use it by cutting some copper traces and design your own circuit with a relay.
 
Do a search. There are well documented and illustrated threads on this issue in here.
Behind that blank is a PCB, and a small switch wired directly into an ECU. You could use it by cutting some copper traces and design your own circuit with a relay.

It's been a while since I've been scolded for not searching. I couldn't find what I was looking for though. I should have mentioned that this is on a 2004 with NAV. I don't know how much different (if at all) that is to a non-nav unit. I'm not really looking to change the PCB, just run 2 small wires to that plate, quick and easy. I have a relay under the hood, needed two wires to run to a switch. I found another place for it. Thanks.
 
FWIW: My '99 similar blank switch is just a cover plate that covers an actual 3-position switch (hi, low, off) for the rear heater fan. Just pop the cover off Stan and I bet you see more than a blank hole ;)

I'd have to look at the '04 EWD to determine what the switch's purpose is for your blank location...
 
FWIW: My '99 similar blank switch is just a cover plate that covers an actual 3-position switch (hi, low, off) for the rear heater fan. Just pop the cover off Stan and I bet you see more than a blank hole ;)

I'd have to look at the '04 EWD to determine what the switch's purpose is for your blank location...

It's clear that my laziness knows no bounds. I didn't realize I could just pop that cover off. :confused: I always thought I needed to pull the whole panel. Looks to be the same as you described Dan. Thanks for that. 3-position switch, green LED on the left and a double clear LED stack on the right. I've been digging through the EWD and I can't seem to figure out what I'm looking at. That's a product of my lack of understanding, not laziness. I'll keep digging.
 
^^ I was about to say that! Very simple to get it out and check but I believe that would be the position for the adjustable hight control switch for those who have it!
 
Get outside's purpose sounds plausible, some one will surely chime in with AHC, and if so then just find the wires via EWD and tap into them for re-circuit purposing (assuming its not momentary type switch). Of course you'll need to source the cover plate...

That's what I did with the rear heater fan control on mine...using one leg of it for on/off for my OBA.
 
This button, and the circuit behind, is for controlling the backseat heating fan.
Knowing toyota's "one size fits all" cabling harness, there's a chance you will find a plug for the heater fan under the left front seat, and that you can actually control it with the little switch under the blank. The way it works is: 1st click - fan low, 2nd click - fan hi, 3rd click - back to off. And, for those with a backseat foot heater, there's another switch with the same function at the back of the center cubicle, where you might have audio controls for the backseat on yours.
 
Hmmm... so mine has rear heat but no rear AC. I have the blank switch on the right middle position. Does that mean that under that blank cap I have a 2 (guessing the rear AC is only on/off?) position switch? And if so, where does the wiring for rear AC go? I bet we could solve this for both options in one thread. I'd love to use that for OBA or a light...
 
Ok so I had a thought last night, I'd like to use my blank where the rear ac would be as an on/off for my rear locker in low range bypass.

I'm having trouble getting the blank cap off, @spressomon and @paflytyer did you guys just use something to wedge in the front and pop it out? Anyone else have any insight on what else I'll need or how to do the wiring for using this blank?
 
IIRC there's a clip on the right and lift side of the blank. Insert a thin screwdriver or similar (plastic is better for non-mar) on either side to release. Slee used to sell the switch cover...but I don't think so now. Not sure where you'd source it...maybe Onur can find it.
 
A little more related here: FYI: 12V switched power sources

No...you're going to need the OEM switch cover...not just the blank cover. I probably have a photo of the blank cover showing the retainer "clips" but can't find it right now...
 
Ok so I pulled out my rear ac blank and I have the functional switch. See the light off and on below:
photo2.jpg

photo1.jpg

@spressomon I couldn't get my rear heat switch off to check the difference in the bases. I wanted to see why you say I cannot modify it, because it seems like if the 4 tabs on the top and bottom edges weren't there it would allow the switch to be depressed.
photo.jpg


Edit: Finally, I think these images work
 
I stand corrected...maybe you could modify the blank cover to make it functional...assuming Onur can't run down the bona fide switch cover (methinks it was $10-$15 or so)
 
And the link to my build, where I used the 2-speed heater fan circuit, won't be correct for the rear A/C switch you will use...sorry I didn't catch the fact you have a '98...and mine is a '99 ('99 got rear A/C but gave up the 2-speed rear heater...).
 
And the link to my build, where I used the 2-speed heater fan circuit, won't be correct for the rear A/C switch you will use...sorry I didn't catch the fact you have a '98...and mine is a '99 ('99 got rear A/C but gave up the 2-speed rear heater...).

No worries, I know it will be different but your link definitely helped me understand that most likely what I need is... somewhere in the truck already lol. I have messaged @uHu, who in your thread expressed interest in using the rear AC switch. Hopefully it has been done already. I also messaged Onur about the switch cover so we'll see what he says.

Do the normal switch covers pop off the same way? I didn't want to break something that's currently working great. Since I'll be tearing into this at some point, and have a growing list of dash wiring to do, I went ahead and ordered LEDs for all of the instrument panels and guages. Now I've really got my work cut out for me!
 
Back
Top Bottom