Stereo/Phone/SatNav : - 4 Buttons - Center Console Black to Chrome

SonyVaio · Oct 14th, 2011, 20:31

Okay here it is,

I went and purchased a new center console section (the bit with all the buttons). The one I have at the moment has only got the black buttons (4 big ones for Volume, Tuning, Fans and Temp).

I really thought this would be such a simple easy MOD/Update/Upgrade by swapping old console out and new console in - this was not to be the case. Stripped the floating dash apart, removed all the screws and bits and pieces only to find once I'd put the whole lot together again that it didn't work!!

As you can imagine slightly miffed at this point and thought I must not have pushed a connector in properly or something, I got lights from the screen but it wouldn't turn on the Stereo nor would it change the temp/fans etc... Anyway, so I strips the floating console down again and checked connections but to no avail, it still wouldn't play. The car is currently in bits and it has got too dark to see what I'm doing now so I'll return to it in the morning.

Are these center console sections (all the button) paired to the car thus only working in the car they were originally installed in? If so this is bonkers! Can't see why a few buttons would need to be security paired to the car. There is however a chance that the center console I've bought is faulty as it was from a dismantlers and off a 2009 car and mine is 2004, is it possible they are just incompatable with each other?

The only difference I can see is my original buttons the top right button next to eject says 'CD' and on the 2009 console it says 'MODE' but apart from that they are identical. As a last resort can I just change the 4 large buttons so I can have the Chrome ones on my console?? After all this is all I wanted in the first place.

Any thoughts anyone, all comments appreciated.

jasonb · Oct 14th, 2011, 20:46

I read a post that basically said you could insert string behind the large buttons and pull them off.
As for compatibility, I would be interested to find out your results since I wanted to do this very mod!
For now I have the carbon Worx covers but to be honest, they look cheap!!

Lee '71 · Oct 14th, 2011, 21:04

I can help as I've done this mod to my own car. My 2006 V50 had the plain black buttons and I bought a unit with the chrome ones and the units are not coded to the car as mine works fully. Bythe sounds of it your unit is probably faulty I'm afraid.

Originally I asked my local dealer if I could just swop buttons and they said no you can't and you can't buy just the buttons either.

Do you have heated front seats as I have a spare unit with chrome buttons but no heated seat butons if you're interested?

SonyVaio · Oct 14th, 2011, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee '71

I can help as I've done this mod to my own car. My 2006 V50 had the plain black buttons and I bought a unit with the chrome ones and the units are not coded to the car as mine works fully. Bythe sounds of it your unit is probably faulty I'm afraid.

Originally I asked my local dealer if I could just swop buttons and they said no you can't and you can't buy just the buttons either.

Do you have heated front seats as I have a spare unit with chrome buttons but no heated seat butons if you're interested?

Many thanks for the offer Lee, I do have front heated seats though.

In the last while I have now been looking at both the old and new unit in the house and fiddling as you do.

I can now confirm that the buttons are able to be taken off and swapped over. I have just completed the task and plugged the bits into the connectors on the car to check they work (without putting the floating console all back together). Et Voila!!! All working fully and completely as it should.

So basically I have stripped both consoles apart removed the 6 x little silver screws, taken the back cover off, removed the big buttons off old and new consoles, removed both circuit boards (just come out after buttons removed), put my (old) circuit board into new console and put chrom buttons on, refiit the back cover and then insert the screws, plugged it into car and all buttons work perfect.

So it is able to done just swapping buttons, I'll still get back on to the dismantlers and seek a refund for what must be a fauly console.

I will knock up a quick how 2 guide for anyone that is interested.

C30 Driver · Oct 14th, 2011, 22:37

Hi Brian, the part is not coded so yes you have a dud.

As you now know it is a walk in the park as the say to change just the knobs.

If I had of known you were after those knobs I could have sorted you out with them.

SonyVaio · Oct 14th, 2011, 23:18

No worries Joe,

I am on the lookout for R-Design side skirts if you come across any. I put the last bits of trim on and am well happy, the chrome stereo knobs just finish rthe job off nicely.

I'm going to throw together a wee guide for them knobs for anyone else that wants to give them a go. Easy job really, a little fiddly more than being being difficult.

SonyVaio · Oct 15th, 2011, 00:58

With a bit of luck there should be a .pdf guide attached with a How2 on the stereo knob replacement.

timtopping · Oct 15th, 2011, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by C30 Driver

Hi Brian, the part is not coded so yes you have a dud.

As you now know it is a walk in the park as the say to change just the knobs.

If I had of known you were after those knobs I could have sorted you out with them.

I'd like some knobs (chuckle chuckle) if you have them for sale

kebab10 · Oct 15th, 2011, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonyVaio

With a bit of luck there should be a .pdf guide attached with a How2 on the stereo knob replacement.

Good guide there fella. Well done.

C30 Driver · Oct 15th, 2011, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtopping

I'd like some knobs (chuckle chuckle) if you have them for sale

Sorry mate but jasonb pm'd me about them last night so I am getting them for him but if I come across any more of them I'll pm you.

If you look above Lee71 has some.

Oct 14th, 2011, 20:31	#1
SonyVaio VOC Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2016 19:58 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Exmouth	4 Buttons - Center Console Black to Chrome Okay here it is, I went and purchased a new center console section (the bit with all the buttons). The one I have at the moment has only got the black buttons (4 big ones for Volume, Tuning, Fans and Temp). I really thought this would be such a simple easy MOD/Update/Upgrade by swapping old console out and new console in - this was not to be the case. Stripped the floating dash apart, removed all the screws and bits and pieces only to find once I'd put the whole lot together again that it didn't work!! As you can imagine slightly miffed at this point and thought I must not have pushed a connector in properly or something, I got lights from the screen but it wouldn't turn on the Stereo nor would it change the temp/fans etc... Anyway, so I strips the floating console down again and checked connections but to no avail, it still wouldn't play. The car is currently in bits and it has got too dark to see what I'm doing now so I'll return to it in the morning. Are these center console sections (all the button) paired to the car thus only working in the car they were originally installed in? If so this is bonkers! Can't see why a few buttons would need to be security paired to the car. There is however a chance that the center console I've bought is faulty as it was from a dismantlers and off a 2009 car and mine is 2004, is it possible they are just incompatable with each other? The only difference I can see is my original buttons the top right button next to eject says 'CD' and on the 2009 console it says 'MODE' but apart from that they are identical. As a last resort can I just change the 4 large buttons so I can have the Chrome ones on my console?? After all this is all I wanted in the first place. Any thoughts anyone, all comments appreciated.

Oct 14th, 2011, 20:46	#2
jasonb In the mood for change! Last Online: May 8th, 2017 10:56 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Manchester	I read a post that basically said you could insert string behind the large buttons and pull them off. As for compatibility, I would be interested to find out your results since I wanted to do this very mod! For now I have the carbon Worx covers but to be honest, they look cheap!! __________________ Volvo V40 Cross Country D2 Lux NAV

Oct 14th, 2011, 21:04	#3
Lee '71 Senior Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2016 19:52 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Poole, Dorset	I can help as I've done this mod to my own car. My 2006 V50 had the plain black buttons and I bought a unit with the chrome ones and the units are not coded to the car as mine works fully. Bythe sounds of it your unit is probably faulty I'm afraid. Originally I asked my local dealer if I could just swop buttons and they said no you can't and you can't buy just the buttons either. Do you have heated front seats as I have a spare unit with chrome buttons but no heated seat butons if you're interested?

Oct 14th, 2011, 22:37	#5
C30 Driver Member Last Online: Oct 22nd, 2011 16:18 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Warwick	Hi Brian, the part is not coded so yes you have a dud. As you now know it is a walk in the park as the say to change just the knobs. If I had of known you were after those knobs I could have sorted you out with them.

Oct 14th, 2011, 23:18	#6
SonyVaio VOC Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2016 19:58 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Exmouth	No worries Joe, I am on the lookout for R-Design side skirts if you come across any. I put the last bits of trim on and am well happy, the chrome stereo knobs just finish rthe job off nicely. I'm going to throw together a wee guide for them knobs for anyone else that wants to give them a go. Easy job really, a little fiddly more than being being difficult.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)