How to make working push-buttons from the blank pieces
 

Blank Button Mod
Modify the blank switch buttons like this.
- Details -
I looked around the web, and there are a lot of spare switches to be found, ranging in price from about $45, to $100.
Being a bit more resourceful, and daring, I decided to make my own switches from the blank button fillers.
I removed the ceneter console switch panel, and removed the blank button cover.
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...tchconsole.jpg

They are easy to release.
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...r/console1.jpg

I used a Dremel tool to slice off the top of the blank button, slicing about mid-way along the egde.
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...buttonmod2.jpg

http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...switchmod4.jpg

I used a small push button on a circuit board to form the button base. I got this from some old used scrap electronics.
I used the Dremel to cut away the PCB, and fitted it to the back of the button bezel. It slides in nicely over 2 bosses in the plastic after cutting 2 notches in the PCB. Epoxy cement holds it in place.
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...switchmod2.jpg
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...switchmod3.jpg


I glued the top of the false button onto the plastic housing of the switch, leaving room for switch travel.<br>
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...switchmod1.jpg


Here's a shot of the completed garage door opener button in place.
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/...orcomplete.jpg

Very nice. I know you can find those type of electic on/off switches at your local radio shack too. I did the same mod for my extra set of fog lights. :cheers:

nice job - very well documented and informative.

thx dude, thats an awesome write up

That's awesome, but aren't the stock switches flat not curved? :)

I hate to bump an old thread, but could you update the pictures. I would like to try this mod.

pics work fine for me

Nice work! I likey. :D

Thanks, it must the new Safari 3 browser.
This beta version is horrible.

I don't think that's it. There appears to be a DNS or server availability issue with where the pictures are hosted. When I try
http://jbipes.home.comcast.net/jpgs/boxster/switchconsole.jpg

I'm told my ISP (interestingly enough, comcast as well) can't locate the server.
If I try enough times, it eventually works. For instance, I couldn't see the pix myself,
but when I started this reply they actually appeared in the thread below. Go figure.

Clem-Clone,
Thanks for this, I just did a couple of blanks in the dash for the onboard computer hack.
One small difference I did. If you can find some short travel pushbuttons you can only cut through about 80% of the blank top leaving the rest as a "hinge".
Keeps everything nicely lined up.

Back to the shadows again.


Steve