Uses for switch blanks in front of shifter?

[OilBurningBrit]

There are four switch blanking plates in front of the shifter on my 2012 JSW ... right next to the stability control switch. Has anyone replaced these with switches? If so, what are you using them for?

I'd love to find a way to hook up something like a HomeLink transmitter to them. Would make for a clean install and eliminate some of the "blanks".

 

[timwagon]

In my '75 Rabbit I added an "Emergency Pull" lever from an IBM 360 mainframe front panel to one of the unused switch blanks on the dash.

It didn't do anything, but it certainly added some flair to the dashboard.

By the way, the "Emergency Pull" switch on an IBM mainframe was something you never, never, ever wanted to pull!

Switch is that ominous bright red thing at upper right.

 

[OilBurningBrit]

I like your thinking!

Hmmmm .... along the same lines: perhaps one of those gag "Oh Sh*t" fake keyboard keys for when one runs out of talent?!

 

[JSWTDI09]

Here are a few options.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=318200

It is also possible to buy a HomeLink transmitter on eBay and wire it into a button. Here's another interesting thread:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4221179

Have Fun!

Don

P.S. The search function here is a great tool.

 

[ToeBall]

I'm planning on converting the button next to the ASR off into a radar detector mute for my Escort Redline hardwire install.

 

[OilBurningBrit]

Don ... thanks for the links, and for the reminder of the search function. Too many years working with poor forum search tools (HP's software support is among the worst in my experience, and I'm forced to use it weekly for work ... gets to the point I cringe when I see a "Search" button ...)

ToeBall ... nice idea. Any thoughts yet on sourcing the switch and button parts? A couple of options are shown in the links Don provided, but one looks *really* expensive and the other a bit of a hack to my eyes.

 

[RickD]

I turned mine into a coin tray !

 

[specsalot]

Don - Thanks for the links - I want home link but bought a deal off the lot rather than ordering a vehicle which had it.

 

[JettaTDiPA]

I turned mine into a coin tray !

Thats a good idea! - did you use all three blank spots? what did you use for a coin tray?

 

[dpg]

I just bought the stickers and slapped em on. Will do the job before I actually get around to installing real switches.

 

[OilBurningBrit]

RickD ... any chance of a photo? A source for the part(s) would be great, too, if you have the information handy.

DPG ... Brightens things up a little over the blanks. First time I've seen the "Trunk Monkey" one too!

 

[dpg]

RickD ... any chance of a photo? A source for the part(s) would be great, too, if you have the information handy.

DPG ... Brightens things up a little over the blanks. First time I've seen the "Trunk Monkey" one too!

gotta love the trunk monkey! I would have liked if there were turtle shells instead of bananas, oh well

 

[JSWTDI09]

gotta love the trunk monkey! I would have liked if there were turtle shells instead of bananas, oh well

Here is where to buy the stickers. No turtles, but lots of other options.

http://www.aesthetic-creations.com/product.php?id_product=73

There are stickers for Marbles, Missiles, Tacks, Oil Slick, Don't Panic, and lots more. Take your pick.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[3waygeek]

My Audi A3 has similar blanks -- I used one to expose the USB port from my Dension Gateway 300 iPod/USB interface, so that I could plug in a memory stick full of MP3s. A couple minutes with a Dremel, and I had a roughly rectangular hole just the right size to accommodate a USB connector.

 

[numl0ck]

Installed a custom garage door opener: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=285532

 

[OilBurningBrit]

3waygeek ... Nice idea. I saw another thread somewhere where 3 RCA plugs had been installed.

Numl0ck ... Thanks for the thorough writeup on your experience. Very similar to what I'm planning, but I'll probably go with one of the official HomeLink transmitters so hopefully will bypass the power issues you ran into. I know the BMW units have an antenna wire coming out of the housing which should help with range. It does look as if it's worth spending the extra cash to get the alignment of the buttons right.

 

[jimtunes]

i drilled a hole in one of them and installed a remote volume control for my subwoofer