Dimmer switch relocation (5th gen)

[Mdtdnb]

This is for those of you who have decided to get JDM fogs or any other switch that involves sacrificing the sunroof, cruise, or dimmer. I chose the dimmer b/c it was actually really easy to just relocate.

This DIY begins AFTER the dimmer has been removed and your jdm fog switch is already completed.

TOOLS NEEDED:

small flathead screw driver
box cutter style razor
electrical tape
hot glue gun

Start out with the dimmer switch and the panel it came from. photo here is with the jdm fog switch installed already.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0943.jpg

Step 1. disasemble the dimmer switch. All you need is pry the tiny clips open with the screw driver. once you get in there, be sure not to damage the small circuit board. The only 2 pieces of this you will need is the circuit board that still has the dial attached and the small plastic piece that is on the far right. this is the part that plugs into the harness in the car
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0955.jpg

Step 2:
Next, take the panel that the switch came out of and cut a rectangular hole about where the little bit of insulation starts on the top of the pocket. Mine is a little to close to the front and I almost didn't have enough space to make it work. You will want to have a small notch cut out facing the front of the panel as shown for the dial to spin properly. go ahead and scrape back SOME of the insulation as shown. Don't remove all of it b/c it may cause stuff to rattle behind your dash.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0944.jpg

Step 3:
make sure that the dial fits into the hole freely and doesnt grind when you spin it with your fingers inside the pocket. The edge of the circuit board and the small center of the dial should be what the whole switch is resting on.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0947.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0957.jpg
the front view should look like this.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0951.jpg

Step 4:
Hot glue the plastic part mentioned above to the prongs on the circuit board so that the switch will still be able to "click" into the car's harness. CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU LINE THE PINS UP PROPERLY SO YOU DO NOT SHORT OUT THE SWITCH. The switch is more fragile than the fuse in the car. It will burn up before the fuse pops. I recommend temporarily re-assembling the switch and take it to the car to make sure it is lined up properly. Glue as shown when you are sure.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0959.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0965.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0960.jpg

Step 5:
Tape up the circuit board with some good quality electrical tape (recommend 3M). Make sure the tape isn't interfering with the play of the dial.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0967.jpg

Step 6:
Now off to the car for installation. These pics maybe difficult to see what is happening but i will explain it. Hot glue the dimmer itself to the pocket making sure not to glue the dial to the panel. start on the bottom where the circuit board rests on the pocket. you may need a 3rd hand for this part since you have to wait for the glue to dry. Make sure the dial is staying alligned properly while the glue is drying. If it isn't, remove the glue and do it again!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0976.jpg

Now what i did here was get a small slender piece of plastic for the top and glued that for support as well as glued the top of the dimmer to the other switch for 3 points of glued contact. I hope that makes sense.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0977.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0985.jpg
I recommend keeping the sunroof switch plugged in while doing this so you know how much room you have to play with.


Step 7: next, unplug the dimmer plug (blue one) and also remove the upper A/C vent. This is very simple, just pull it till it pops out, it shouldn't break.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0999.jpg

Step 8:
Go ahead and push the switch panel into place with all of your switches plugged in EXCEPT the dimmer. This should make sense b/c the panel won't really go in with that plug in the way. Make sure all the clips are good on the panel so it isn't loose.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0988.jpg

Step 9:
Go ahead and plug in the dimmer from the access hole through the upper A/C vent.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0990.jpg
Top view looking into the A/C vent hole
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0991.jpg

Step 10:
replace the A/C vent and test your dimmer
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0999.jpg

IT should look something like this minus all the scratches.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF0997.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF1009.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r35/mdtdnb/DSCF1007.jpg
All done!

[yogi_pahl]

Cool wright up man

[Brash22]

Rep for that. I've seen so many people just push it to the back and not worry about it. That's great.

[jimmyznutz]

I don't have jdm or usdm foggies to worry about the switch, but I did add a sunroof switch to my center console. I wanted one there becuase I find it easier to use than reaching up to the panel. I left the original where it was, both work. I just went to a JY and got another switch and mounted it in the coin tray. If there is any interest I'll work up a write up with pics.

[2.2Lude]

I'll never use this damn good write up and every well detailed too

Great Job!

[kizzzzle]

Nice writeup man I will definitely have to do this some day this summer when I am bored.