Meso Customs Stealth Knob Install (found broken plug)

EDIT: Scroll to the bottom for the solution for the broken gear selector light harness.

The main reason why I’m posting about this is because I came across an issue that I’ve been trying to fix on my own and I figured someone one day could use my R&D and save themselves some time.

So I installed my shift knob and everything turned out great. Left button triggers ECT of course, right button triggers garage door opener. I have the garage door opener stashed behind the climate controls and it’s magnetized to the bottom of the stereo mount.

soldered

hot glued

case filed down


Magnetized (added a 5th magnet since I only had this small ones)

So that all went smooth, pretty quick install, great results. The only negative thing (or positive depending on your perspective) was that I found this plug under the center console that was unplugged and also had 6 out of 8 wires cut.

I was surprised to see this because ever since I bought the truck (used) I never had any inclination that something wasn’t working. After talking to the awesome engineer at Meso, he told me that this plug was supposed to light up a gear shift indicator and after searching YouTube I was shocked to see that this is even a thing

I’ve never seen this light up and didn’t know it was supposed to. I’m still unsure if every Tacoma is supposed to light up or if it’s only for certain trim levels but I’m still going to try to replace this plug and find out lol.
Here comes the worst part. This plug and pins, to the best of my knowledge, are extremely difficult to find. After tons of research the best I could find was this set online alibaba that takes 30-50 days to get after bought.
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/4000181143484.html?trace=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail
I ordered a male and female set and I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival. I will come back with results. If anyone has any recommendations please let me know!

I haven’t contacted my dealer yet because I don’t want to have to flash my truck back to stock (in case they poke around and try to void any warranties) and I would also want to put the original knob back on just in case so they don’t pull up the center console and tear any wires out. EDIT: I did contact Mark Miller Toyota and I believe this is the part number needed: 3590604030. I ordered it in (back order) but I ended up cancelling the order because I got the alibaba parts faster.

Like I said, hopefully I can resolve this and hopefully this helps some poor sap later on. I know I found the most useful threads that have been dormant for years.











FIXED:


So the alibaba kit (above) worked perfectly, it came super quick too - it took only 16 days. You'll only need the "female" set, get at least two sets so you have plenty of extras.

I would recommend anyone who tries to do this fix to take your time and use the right tools. The pins are 0.7mm which is very close to 22 gauge so I would get a crimper that can crimp that small. I'll attach links to all the tools I used.

$25 IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper, 2" Jaw, Cuts 10-24 AWG, ProTouch Grip for Maximum Comfort (2078300)

https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-VISE-GRIP-2078300-Self-Adjusting-Stripper/dp/B000OQ21CA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2C0CHGT7L5N5K&dchild=1&keywords=irwin+vise-grip+wire+stripper&qid=1619283177&sprefix=irwin+vise-grip+wire%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-1

$19 iCrimp Open Barrel Terminal Crimping Tool for Molex Style DELPHI AMP TYCO Deutsch Terminals Crimper, Molex Crimping Tool,24-14 AWG

https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Barrel...d=1&keywords=b07476c1ld&qid=1619283289&sr=8-1

With these two tools and parts I ended up spending as much as I would have for a new harness from Toyota but now I have the tools for life and I'll use the wire strippers all the time on house projects so I think for me it was better to go this route. If you're less capable or don't want to mess around just try to order the harness (above) for $35-$45 and hope it's what you need.

 

Perhaps a visit to a junk yard would yield you different plugs?

 

That’s my next option too.

 

After some research I'm not finding any 2016+ Tacomas near me. There's two 2017's in a Pull n Save in Phoenix that would have worked out great but I don't think they'll sell/send it to me lol. I tried emailing them but I don't expect a response.

 

That's too bad.. hopefully you can find the part number(s) and just order them online

 

I appreciate it. Only the plot thickens.. I think I found the part number and there’s apparently none in the US. I asked my dealer to try to order it anyways to see how long it would take. Worst part is it’s anywhere from $30-$40. Oh well, first world problems haha.
https://parts.stevenscreektoyota.co...BLY---INDICATOR-LAMP/66803785/3590604030.html

 

Shouldn't take them long, a dealer by me says available in store in 24-48 hours but that may be what they say for everything lol

 

Oh really? Which dealer is that? I might try to order from them if possible.

 

https://parts.stcharlestoyota.net/p...BLY---INDICATOR-LAMP/66803785/3590604030.html

 

If you’re stuck, looks like you could easily dep-pin the plug and solder the wire back, since there is more than enough “meat” left on the pin side to get a good connection. That’s assuming it connects to a pcb, if it simply connects to another plug with wires, cut both ends off and use any connector you like. (Preferably not the style you used for the garage door opener)

 

Tried these guys yet? https://partsbarn.sunnysidetoyota.com/

 

Yes I was thinking about saying that, @xLOGREx I have a full set for depinning computer plugs, do you have a pic of the other side of the plug? I would send you my tools to use if you wanted to try it.

 

I like this idea a lot, I’m not sure what kind of connector I could use though, I’m not very versed in this kind of things but I’m learning!

That’s awesome man, I really appreciate the offer! I would hate to put you out like that, if anything I would rather send you the plug and have you see if the pins could come out. That way you don’t have to lend out your tools and you know what you’re doing unlike me. But before we get deeper into that, I have this cheap depinning set I got from Amazon
And here’s a picture of the other side of the pins I’ve tried depinning them with this and have struggled so far. I’m sure that once of these tools should work.. maybe I gotta keep trying. Have any pointers?

 

They should be something like this, and it would also help to push the wire side of the pin in tight as you push the depinning tool in the other side, and when you think it might be hitting the tab then try to pull on the wire side

 

Not sure if this will help but it looks like the same type of plug, it has a lock it looks like on the middle of the plug that has to be pryed up first before you depin

https://youtu.be/5Vp4wjDK19I

 

for Automotive connector, search “DT Series Connectors”, they are the best. There are plenty of quality licensed (and probably unlicensed) knockoffs, so you don’t need to buy DEUTSCH, but they are really not expensive. Something like below will probably be all you need for you next 10 projects. (You’ll also need a set of crimps, but they are also cheap)

$19 Glarks 6 Sets 2 3 4 6 8 12 Pin Sealed Gray Male and Female Auto Waterproof Electrical Wire Connector Plug 22-16AWG Connector for Motorcycle, Scooter, Car, Truck, Boats

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L9XNFGG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

 

Heck yeah I’ll try this, thank you!

 

That could work! I’ll save this as an option if the easier options to work out. The Toyota plug is 0.7mm which is about 22 gauge which that kit says it could do. Thank you!

 

Great use of the 2nd button! Exactly what the extra harness was intended for

 

Thanks for the advice everyone! I've updated the first post with the fix for this in case anyone has issues with this in the future.