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Universal switches

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by hawkmoon77, Jul 16, 2009.

  1. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    So there are plenty of mods that would require the addition of a switch inside the car. (I for one need one to control my auto-headlights and another to control fog lights). Normally, you can buy some generic momentary switches or rocker switches and cut them into the blanks for a stock look.

    Do to the design of the blanks in the 2010, I haven't found any switches that would fit in.

    I thought that I could order the switches from Toyota. For example, I do not have the switch that controls the headlight washer/wiper function. I thought I could install that switch, but use it to control the fog lights or auto-headlights. The dealer says they are $65. Expensive, but I would do it for a clean stock look. Unfortunately, it seems as though that button is a momentary button. (Can anyone with a package V confirm?) The only other switch that I don't already have is the button that sets the parking assist. But this also looks like a momentary button. My only other choice would be to buy both the solar ventialtion button (a click on / click off button) and also buy the wiper washer button, and then swap the tops of the buttons so the graphics are different. But this woudl cost 130 bucks just to get a switch.

    Considering that a lot of mods need a switch, I was hoping that whoever comes up with a good solution for a stock looking switch could post it here. I'm sure it would help in a lot of ways.
     
  2. jaywolf

    jaywolf Member

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    The switch that turns on the solar vent is not a momentary switch.
    it has and in (on) and an out (off) position.

    So get a switch from a sunroof car.
     
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  3. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    The problem is that I have a sunroof car. I didn't want two switches with the same graphic. I realized that if you install the parking assist upside down, the graphic looks pretty appropriate for fog lights. I also noticed that the windsheild washer button, having the headlight graphic on it, could double as an on-off switch for the autoheadlights that I installed. The problem is that I think they are both momentary switches, meaning that I would have to by a solar swiatch AND that switch, and then swap out the cover just for the different graphic. That would put each switch at 120 bucks. I was hoping for a good stock looking alternative.

    I suppose I coudl get another solar ventilation switch and apply a sticker over the graphic, but then I lose the illumination, which would have been a great plus (especially considering I want to task them for headlight functions that would normally be used in the dark).
     
  4. 60MPG

    60MPG Junior Member

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    $65 switches - ouch! One thought, wait a few months until somebody wrecks one then get switches from a scrap yard. (Still have the graphics and illumination issues but you'll have a cheaper switch...)
     
  5. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    I just read in another thread that someone might have identified that a switch from a Tacoma woudl fit. I hadn't thought about checking other Toyota cars! Perhaps one from an older model would be a good fit and at the right pricepoint. I'll have to do some digging.
     
  6. 60MPG

    60MPG Junior Member

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    Keep us posted - I want to do some tinkering and will need a switch or two.
     
  7. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    Just foudn this link:

    Toyota OEM Fog Light Switch

    Seems like it might fit. It has a fog light logo on it. Although it is a rocker switch, and wouldn't work the same way as the other switches, it does seem like it might actually be a good fit. I am going to see if the dealer has one in stock that I could try.
     
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  8. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    Got back from the dealer. I forgot to bring the part number so I wasn't able to look up the switch referenced in my other post.

    I did however look at all the new and used cars on the lot. It looks like most of the new cars use the same form-factor switches - however - I couldn't find a single one of them that was on/off. They were all momentary.
     
  9. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    2 people like this.
  10. 60MPG

    60MPG Junior Member

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    Looks good. You could rig a relay to a momentary switch to lock the circuit "on" (or hot) until the button is pressed again or power is shut off. Just a thought... :mullet:


    .
     
  11. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    Just bumping the thread - there must be some more generic on/off switches out in the ether - like backup cam, etc etc..

    I ordered a few random switches on EBay to try (old Toyota parts), but again, no basic on/off (or even with LED ) :rolleyes:
     
  12. NakedDuck

    NakedDuck Junior Member

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    What about using the heated seats switch? It looks like it would fit in the same rectangular hole as the blanks and will provide you with two individual switches in the same slot. In fact, that's what I'm gioing to the dealer today to find out. I am guessing it will not be cheap.
     
  13. okmatthew

    okmatthew New Member

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    2010 Prius II (2010 guru please respond!)

    I want to add a couple of additional colored lights to my grill. Anyone have suggestions on the following questions?
    1. Location to get power for the new accessory from?
    2. Source for accessory exterior lights?
    3. Source for Switches for the switch block on lower left dash?
     
  14. NakedDuck

    NakedDuck Junior Member

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    Ok, here's what I've found...

    84751-52030 Seat heater switch $62.62 ($94 at dealer)
    84895-47010 Solar vent switch $52.66 ($78 at dealer)

    Both below listed price at ToyotaPartsCheap.com

    I think I'm going to get the seat heater switch since it will give me two switches for only slightly more than the single switch for the solar vent. I will use one for the nav speed sensor bypass and one for an auxiliary airhorn (enabled only when needed to get the attention of inattentive drivers - otherwise use oem horn normally as a gentler reminder for the occasional "asleep at the green" situations)

    Even though both are very expensive switches, they would give me that finished factory look. None would be wiser. ;)