[flacaproductions]

I'm in the process of finalizing my order and will undoubtedly end up with some un-used/blank switch positions in the center dash area as well as (I think) the small bank of switches to the left of the wheel by the headlight switch.

Anyone have part numbers so that I could replace the blanks with active switches (for controlling aftermarket items - lighting, etc.) and still keep a factory look.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

You are bringing me back to when I was a kid man. I had a W202 C220, stripper. Back then dash switches were individual modules, and the wood dash was actually custom to your order. No switch blanks, just empty sockets for switches under the wooden cover.

The C220 had spaces for dash lamps for features I didn't have. I wired the lamps on the detector to set off warning lights on dash cluster, and then I ordered switches for features I didn't have and wired them to the units buttons. Then I stuck the thing under the dashboard and wired it to the 12v lighter socket wiring. The hardest part was getting my hands on the exact correct veneer pattern to fit the extra switches. If I got pulled over all I had to do was switch the thing off with a dash button and the cop wouldn't know I had one. Crazy youth.

Anyway, the Metris doesn't use individual switches, it uses switch modules, I'm pretty sure. I think they are CAN bus style switches. You can still probably wire them though, if you want a soft switch. I don't think there's a hard switch anywhere except the light off on the overhead console in the entire car.

Order the modules for a fully equipped Vito and then wire them as you like. You may be able to use the blanking plates as blank switches to paint your own labels on. That would be cool.

 

[flacaproductions]

So do you think there are active (but unwired) switches behind those blanks above the headlight switch and AC controls? If so....momentary or?

 

[1681]

So do you think there are active (but unwired) switches behind those blanks

Noo

 

[warren]

Like mentioned above, no. However, if you look behind it, the harness that those other active buttons connect to might have a power wire you can use IF you find a need for something to go in the blanks. Car makers sometimes do this as a way to also give themselves the ability to add things later on, thinking ahead.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

Also, I'm sure you can find the part number for the switch MB uses. I'd guess its a dumb soft switch, and that means that you can wire it to control whatever you want. However, I can tell you from my experience with my C-class, that Mercedes parts are hella expansive, and you will spend a lot of money and time on the idea of making your switches look factory, versus installing a third party switch box and wiring it to whatever dingus you want to control with the switch.

If MB is using a smart soft switch (i.e. sending a data signal through the CAN BUS rather than a simple current signal), which is possible- this is Mercedes - but unlikely (even most keyboards are dumb soft switches, the data is converted by the keyboards control module, rather than at the switch activation point), then you are SOL on that. I would also guess that there is quite a bit of blank space above the central panels switch bank where you can drill in switches for your own wiring. I haven't taken the thing apart. Working on modern cars, which are basically huge computers, gives me the jitters. When I spent $45k on the thing and hacking apart the wiring would likely void my warranty, it gives me the double jitters.

 

[JCam]

I know I'm late to this conversation. I was curious myself and was trying to find out the same answer. It looks like those switches are only offered in a single cluster of switches, depending on the option your vehicle came with.

 

[jwatches]

Reviving this thread in case others have an interest. The back of the central dash button panel has an extra pin available and the plug/wires do not look like CAN wiring. The blank button has a plastic insert that keeps it from moving when pressed and can be easily removed. Does anyone know definitively whether you can remove the insert and wire the extra pin to be, for example, a 12v on/off switch?

 

[Gottlieb]

Reviving this thread in case others have an interest. The back of the central dash button panel has an extra pin available and the plug/wires do not look like CAN wiring. The blank button has a plastic insert that keeps it from moving when pressed and can be easily removed. Does anyone know definitively whether you can remove the insert and wire the extra pin to be, for example, a 12v on/off switch?

I don't think so. Your center console panel has two switches and three lamps, but only three wires.

My van has two more switches and one more lamp, for a grand total of 8 circuits—but still the same three wires.

I think we're looking at power, ground, and data.

 

[jwatches]

Thanks @Gottlieb. That definitely answers the question. I know you can program the CAN data stream, but that would be overkill for an on/off switch for an add-on accessory. My aftermarket stereo takes an ignition feed that turns the **** thing on with the ignition key. You have to put a switch in the circuit if you want to control it independently from the ignition.