Power window panel with lights/design flaw?

[Auce]

I took mine apart last night to see if I can get all 4 buttons glowing. I noticed that the older models (mine is an 01) and mine have completely different motherboards and switches.

My panel backing has one clear lense which I highlighted in yellow. So it's the only button that will light up green, the other 3 don't shine up at all. It makes zero sense to me why 1 out of 4 buttons would be like this?

 

[Auce]

I took mine apart last night to see if I can get all 4 buttons glowing. I noticed that the older models (mine is an 01) and mine have completely different motherboards and switches.

My panel backing has one clear lense which I highlighted in yellow. So it's the only button that will light up green, the other 3 don't shine up at all. It makes zero sense to me why 1 out of 4 buttons would be like this?

For some reason when I try to upload more then one photo it fails.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

For some reason when I try to upload more then one photo it fails.

try Imgur, I always have good luck there if I can't upload.

 

[brillo_76]

The 01 and 02 went to pure digital controls instead if the old along switches and systems of the earlier gen years. This is why they are so different.

Why they didn't make all the buttons slightly Illuminate beyond me. :/

Maybe try glow in the dark stickers on the other buttons? As you can see how different it all is.

Might be able to mod some leds on the other switches too.



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[Auce]

The 01 and 02 went to pure digital controls instead if the old along switches and systems of the earlier gen years. This is why they are so different.

Why they didn't make all the buttons slightly Illuminate beyond me. :/

Maybe try glow in the dark stickers on the other buttons? As you can see how different it all is.

Might be able to mod some leds on the other switches too.



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Thanks Brillo, so you are aware about all the buttons not illuminating? I'm with you as it's totally beyond me.

 

[Shepherd214]

I added led's to mine. Passenger side had me scratching my head though. Turns out that the light goes out when you hit the window lock button.

 

[brillo_76]

Worst case...you can run a dash light wire over through your door boot and Illuminate with it.

I would carefully look over the wiring diagrams for your years.

I haven't messed with my 01 sport much except to replace its rear diff and fixed rust..

I just know they are all digital. This is why your seeing cucuit boards instead of just switches...


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[jgue467]

I just Feel for it like everything else....pretty much know by location what the switches are for, just like the radio, don't need to Look at it to operate, that is the Beauty of it all to me....

 

[brillo_76]

I just Feel for it like everything else....pretty much know by location what the switches are for, just like the radio, don't need to Look at it to operate, that is the Beauty of it all to me....

That's what I mostly do. As I am watching the road... . But I mostly drive the early years around..

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[Auce]

I added led's to mine. Passenger side had me scratching my head though. Turns out that the light goes out when you hit the window lock button.

Shepard how did you add more LED's? Did you need to solder them on?

 

[Shepherd214]

I soldered in two.

 

[Auce]

I soldered in two.

Even if I soldered in 2, my backing still does not have the clear lens for it to illuminate.

 

[Pyral]

Seems much to do about nothing. There are only 6 switches and a mirror control on the door, and its not hard to find the correct one in the dark.

The reason Toyota didn't backlight them all is cost. The cost of adding a backlight plus more complicated window switches was not something that Toyota thought was necessary. The PCB design would also have to be more complicated to allow for extra LED, and then that adds to BOM.

 

[Shepherd214]

Even if I soldered in 2, my backing still does not have the clear lens for it to illuminate.

On my 2002 just left rocker illuminates. On the right one you have to drill a hole under the lettering to let the light thru and install a clear lense to focus the light up. If you take off the switch rockers you'll see what I mean.