Vehicle: 1980 w123 230 "Sport", 2005 w203 230 Sport
Location: Outside of Buffalo,NY
Posts: 1,968
Quote:
Originally Posted by n5160u
Most newer cars including Mercedes have all the switches in the cluster already in place and the unused switch cell has a tabbed cover that cannot activate the switch function. The big problem is not in removing the tab so it can work, but the fact that the switch is simply an input device to the vehicles data and control buss and it does not have the ability to really switch any kind of power. Worse yet is that because it is an input device to the system data buss its function is already mapped to the data buss and cannot be changed. The number and size of the wires coming out of the switch cluster remain the same regardless of the number of active switch positions because it outputs a digital coded signal rather than actually switching the power, which is done somewhere else.
Well I tore into my spare switch row – it is a pretty normal part with a PCB, a few contact pins, rubber push buttons and some really neat molded parts…Every “Button / Switch” position is open with a rubber momentary and a PCB contact – not all of the goods are there – IE – Cooled seat LEDs are missing…Etc – But once the circuit is found from the “button” – a signal now can be sent through contact….
I cut two “tabs” off of the blanked switches and the unit / button started to move a little easier – not as well as a true switch – I only gave it a little time last night – so I have not yet figured out how to break down the actual buttons from their group carrier – and being ABS I am trying not to break anything…It also seems that all of the buttons are molded in a clear or translucent white – so adding an icon may work out! The only bummer is that the back arms that actually close the circuit (the white part that looks like a cone) are in white on the actual switches and are missing from the switches that are blanks…and the inner layer is white on “real switches” and black on SOME non used locations – but not all…
Any icon on the switches looks better than a blank. Surely MB sells the switches, but it probably costs a fortune. And why would they have the telephone buttons when they don't install telephones?
Any icon on the switches looks better than a blank. Surely MB sells the switches, but it probably costs a fortune. And why would they have the telephone buttons when they don't install telephones?
Mercedes Benz does have the option of adding a telephone or bluetooth with the purchase of a "puck" ... my car has everything but the puck. I haven't purchased it yet and don't know if I plan to.
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