Repurpose the 4x4 Switch?

[bbouras]

I have an 07 EB RWD and am wondering if I can repurpose what would be the 4x4 switches/buttons on the center panel? I wanting to use them as simple on/off switches for either a front facing camera or maybe some lighting options.

Is this possible?

Since I do not already have the switches/buttons, do I have to order the part or is there a plastic tab I can remove to make the fake switch/button movable and operational once wired?

Links for reference:
http://www.fordpartsgiant.com/parts...cation=instrument-panel-related-parts,,10D889

http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/P...earch=true&year=2007&make=Ford&model=Explorer


Thanks!

 

[JeepGuy25]

I can actually help you out here...

Those push buttons are NOT as simple as they seem. While they are momentary buttons, they do not have separate outputs. They all run through two wires. So, one wire for ground, and the other wire runs through resistors for each button. So you can not get separate simple on/off signals from each button.

The ONLY way you can use the buttons as they are, is with some type of logic circuit. So something like an Arduino. So you can program it to look for each resistance. Then you would need a latching circuit for each button you want to use. You could probably use the Arduino for that also. Might be more trouble than its worth.

Here is the schematic of the switches and you should be able to see what I mean.

Hope that helps. Its not an easy thing to do... Thats why when I wanted to tap into the auto button, I ended up physically adding an extra switch to the unit.

J.

 

[96firephoenix]

WTF = Why This, Ford? On my 02, the switches have their own output wire...

I suppose you could physically modify the circuit board to tap directly onto the momentary switch... it might be easier to make a dummy circuit board with the same dimensions and just install momentary switches in the right locations.

To clarify: use the circuit board as a template to cut out a piece of kydex or thin ABS sheeting with the mounting holes, then installing the momentary switches with something non-conductive such as superglue... then solder leads to the switches directly.

 

[JeepGuy25]

If you have the stock switches, you can modify them for single outputs. You would just have to cut the traces and solder directly to the little surface mount push buttons. It wouldnt be hard. But you HAVE to sever the traces or else each button will trigger the other two.

You could take the guts out and add switches, but you would loose the back lighting which is really nice.

Either way you do it, you are going to have to butcher the stock switch housing. Might as well do it the easiest way and thats cutting the traces. If you had a pigtail for the switches also, you could re-route the pushbuttons to the pins on the back, and have the harness wired to your accessories.