Switches To Fit Rav4 4.3 Next To Console Cig Lighter

[James..]

Hi all

This is not an easy one but I thought worth a shot on here. I want to add a bit of electronics and a mod to my XT4 that need dash mounted switches. Firstly a phone handsfree bluetooth and secondly a VSC disable switch.

Naturally I'll put up some photos of this once I get it together for everyone's education/entertainment but the hardest thing to find will be the necessary 'matching' switches, as the rest of the info required to do this is public domain. The best place to put these would of course be down by the lighter where there are three blanks in my car. The bluetooth would be a straight on/off two position and the VSC would be momentary. (Of course I may wire the bluetooth to a switched live, but I like the ability to use it even when the engine is off which I had in my last car)

I'm new to Toyotas so have no idea where to find parts info... are they all online on some website that only dealers can get to??? Other manufacturers sometimes have parts catalogs on CD. Anyone got any ideas or pointers to a good source of switches that won't look too out of place (chrome toggles may work, but don't really match the rest of the car!!) , I suspect some switches used in older RAVs might be 'repurposed'.

cheers

[junebug1701]

I'm looking for the same thing. I want to install a momentary switch for my garage door opener. Perhaps a similar switch from an old junked Toyota?

[local hero]

TRY GOOGLING RS COMPONENTS THEY STOCK A HUGE RANGE OF SWITCHES + ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EVERY CONCEIVABLE APPLICATION

[bothwell_buyer]

I'd added switches onto my 1994 RAV - and bought the matching switches to those already there from Toyota - at £40 a pop wasn't cheap!!

Best to try breakers yards ! Or as LH says, RS Components can supply anything - just about!

[dave.m]

If you get into a situation where you need to disable the VSC, there is a procedure to do it without a switch.

Try using the search function to find the thread to do this. It involves various clicks of the ignition switch etc.

[anchorman]

The new RAVs will have VSC disable but I'm not sure how easy this would be on existing models. I think the only way would be to open the circuit to one of the ECUs but that would very likely throw up a fault code when reinstated.

If you wait until the new model is launched you may be able to update your vehicle with components from the new including the switch.

Maybe one of the electronics guru's like shcm will comment.

Cheers

[dave.m]

If you get into a situation where you need to disable the VSC, there is a procedure to do it without a switch.

Try using the search function to find the thread to do this. It involves various clicks of the ignition switch etc.

Second thoughts, it may have been the traction control ? Maybe Anchorman can jog memory.

[dave.m]

If you get into a situation where you need to disable the VSC, there is a procedure to do it without a switch.

Try using the search function to find the thread to do this. It involves various clicks of the ignition switch etc.

Second thoughts, it may have been the traction control ? Maybe Anchorman can jog memory.

Possibly both. Have a look at this thread from Rav4 World -

http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?...vsc&start=0

This one is interesting too -

http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?...vsc&start=0

[shcm]

Dave - VSC? TC? don't think it matters mate. comes down roughly to the same thing in my book.

Here's our very own post from earlier in the year:

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...p;p=707773&

These switches from RS fit, are maybe not that elegant and they do need a bit of messing with the plastic on the rear of the trim, so not ideal. Unfortunately I've lost the stock number and as I ordered them over 13 months ago, they've fallen out of my RS order history.

There's also Kingo, if he is not too busy, (or occupied drooling over this weeks copy of Play Pie/Pies Only ) maybe he could find you something?

I always used to rate Farnell as well as RS. http://uk.farnell.com/. If you've no account min order is £20, but no delivery charge. Of course, if you've trade accounts with either, then delivery charges are no problem.

The new RAVs will have VSC disable but I'm not sure how easy this would be on existing models. I think the only way would be to open the circuit to one of the ECUs but that would very likely throw up a fault code when reinstated.

Maybe one of the electronics guru's like shcm will comment.

Hey, LH - GURU time again

Unless James knows more than I/we do, I wouldn't try disconnecting an ECU. I would not be surprised to get a whole host of fault codes. When we are design validating single ECUs at work, we have to build test kit to simulate the rest of the vehicle otherwise we get the same problem with lots of DTCs and unwanted fault conditions.

Off the top of my head, I would think it should be fairly straight forward to build a piece of kit to pulse the handbrake and brake pedal switch inputs at the touch of a switch, in the same sequence as is done manually, if you didn't want to go through the "brake dance" every time.

Would I do it? I'd want to think carefully about putting something else in parallel with the brake pedal switch (even if it was say an open collector drive). The switch is also load sensing and I'd want to test the whole set up very carefully. Personally, I'm not bothered and would leave well alone, but each to his own

Cheers.

[dave.m]

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...p;p=707773&

Cheers.

Thats the one mate, couldn't find it earlier

[James..]

Good suggestions. I do have an RS account so maybe a bit of dredging round might find something. I guess if I have three switches just like shcm's then that won't look too bad, maybe even look like an original fitment... well sort of ! The great advantage of buying from RS, Farnell etc is that at least you know the full switch specification and of course its new and not going to cost £40 per switch.

As for disabling the VSC, isn't the easiest method to use the DLC port as mentioned by anchorman in this comprehensive post on MOT?? Or have I missed something??

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...l=disabling+vsc

My guess is that you could probably use method #2 (shorting the DLC connections) without requiring to be a genius in electronics. To preserve the integrity of the ecu and its wiring it would I assume be better to wire a relay close to the DLC socket activated momentarily by a push switch to do the shorting. Has anybody tried this method for real (without relay)? If you guys all think that I'm likely to blow the ECU, I'd probably want to give this a miss!

[Dippy]

I'm looking for the same thing. I want to install a momentary switch for my garage door opener.

Pls let us know when you do - my door opener wasn't compatible with Homelink, so I still have a key fob rattling around in the car. It would be nice to get rid of it.

[bothwell_buyer]

Hi all

This is not an easy one but I thought worth a shot on here. I want to add a bit of electronics and a mod to my XT4 that need dash mounted switches. .......and secondly a VSC disable switch.

............., I suspect some switches used in older RAVs might be 'repurposed'.

cheers

Thought about this deeply....and......

got yer answer!

Simple and will save you road tax as well!!

Get rid of yer 5 door beast and buy a 4.1 3 door thus saving the planet, giving a kind home to a much loved machine, and making your drive experience better.

There.

Simple.

Instead of re-purposing the car, you re-purpose yerself!

[shcm]

My guess is that you could probably use method #2 (shorting the DLC connections) without requiring to be a genius in electronics.

Well, spotted, I forgotten about the DLC method. Actually, to be honest I took it to be a test mode, rather than a straight disable.

You won't blow an ECU.

I may well be wrong, but I believe the DLC method also invokes ABS/VSC sensor test mode. Driving in this state may mean you getting also sorts of stuff going off such as a buzzer from the yaw rate sensor part of the test. I believe you also loose ABS until the sensor check is complete. The master warning light and ABS warning light is supposed to flash in this mode, with VSC iniitally on the display.

Allegedly with the hand/foot brake method, a light comes on permanently, which would suggest to me a slightly different mode - maybe a straight disable - but I don't know.

However, I have to say, I've not tried either method. Think I will soon to see if there is any subtle difference between the two mode or whether they are essentially the same.

Cheers

[Hoovie]

Hi all

This is not an easy one but I thought worth a shot on here. I want to add a bit of electronics and a mod to my XT4 that need dash mounted switches. Firstly a phone handsfree bluetooth and secondly a VSC disable switch.

Naturally I'll put up some photos of this once I get it together for everyone's education/entertainment but the hardest thing to find will be the necessary 'matching' switches, as the rest of the info required to do this is public domain. The best place to put these would of course be down by the lighter where there are three blanks in my car. The Bluetooth would be a straight on/off two position and the VSC would be momentary. (Of course I may wire the Bluetooth to a switched live, but I like the ability to use it even when the engine is off which I had in my last car)

To answer this bit, like has been said, the genuine toyota switches from a Dealer are very pricey - sourcing from a breakers to have matching ones is an option. I fitted heated seats and the two switches that came with it, plus a pair of LEDs I fitted into the blanks making appropriate holes with a dremel and I reckon they look fine. Also fitted a rocker switch from Halfords that I had hanging around for ages as a handbrake cut-out switch for an in-car DVD and again, that doesn't look particularly out of place. Got one more to fit maybe (hands-free mic cut-off), but I won't be paying Toyota £10 plus for it!

End of the day, a switch is pretty much a switch!