Can I Use Existing Buttons For Aux Lights

[killjoi308]

I have a 08. On my center dash beneath the radio and center vents there are 7 buttons. The Advace Trac is the center one, then 4x4 auto,4x4 hi and 4x4 low. Can I use the other 3 on the left for anything? They dont depress, are they just dummies? Thought I would ask before I ripped my dash out.

 

[Curtis]

If they are anything like the dummy buttons in my 04, the buttons don't actually do anything. Meaning, as you say, they don't depress. So I dont think they can be made into something that actually switches.

 

[explorerguy89]

you could always go to a junkyard and get working buttons and do your own wiring

 

[killjoi308]

There are buttons there, they just dont depress. I was wondering if anybody knew if there was just a piece behind them to stop them from being pressed in or something and if so, can they be used?

 

[techboj]

There are buttons there, they just dont depress. I was wondering if anybody knew if there was just a piece behind them to stop them from being pressed in or something and if so, can they be used?

Probably not. The switches are "dummy" switches. The labels are there to indicate what should have been there as probably part of an optional package. However, when you get or find switches, they should again have a new switch face. Additionally, there might not be any connectors leading to the current switches or the oem harness might have the corresponding pigtails but the switch will be dedicated for the specific function to which it was originally labelled. Therefore if you need or want to use it for anything else, you may have to rewire - or run wires to it entirely. This means that you may need to cut the existing connectors from the oem harness (probably not good) or you may need to find or purchase connectors together with new switches.

 

[fishwish3]

the only way around this is that i know of is would be to pop out the dummy switches install your own and run your own wires correctly and have them fused correctly and you should have no problem, i did it with my fathers truck (98 nissan frontier) for his warning lights on his truck and have had no problems with it.

 

[killjoi308]

I got 4 labeled for the Advance Trac and my 4x4. Then i got 3 that are not labeled. Thats the ones I was wondering about. It seems like you should be able to use them if you wire them yourself. It seems like a waste of space if you cant. Thanks for the help.

 

[Bill Kemp]

The advanced trac & 4X4 are real switches/buttons. The other three are just blanks/fillers.
A junk yard is a great place to find more switches you can use in those blank positions. Body shops can also get you parts cheaper than the dealer.
Whatever you wire up with new/j.y. switches be sure you use a relay because OEM switches are designed for low volts only.

 

[killjoi308]

Again, thank you Bill. Thats what I'll probaly end up doing.