Lost on the dash

i bought air on board switches and can't figure out how to remove the blank short of drilling a hole in it and pulling it out with a pick any help??

 

Need to be a little bit more specific on which blank and section you are referring to bro

 

Left of the steering wheel the upper row of them

 

Good luck getting that one out. I just added a second set of fog lights and has to use the blank lower than that because not even my installer could get it out.

 

I think if I drill a hole in it and use a pick I can get it out. Of course if I don't then the dealership will need to take it out

 

If you don't want to take the dash apart to get to it you can get something skinny like a jewelry screwdriver in between the blank and the dash and use that to pry it out... Although I'd be more inclined to use something plastic.

Or as you said you could put a screw through the blank and then it should be able to be pulled out. The have lock clips on the back, but nothing a little wiggling won't take care of.

 

Pull fuse box cover remove lower switch or blank then remove upper blanks etc in same way by pressing tabs is how I have done it.

 

There's a thread that details the steps involved to get to those switches , I'll see if I can dig it up

It involves removing the lower part of the valance where the coin tray is

 

Couldn't find the one with pictures I was thinking about but here is the steps laid out

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fog-light-switch.241225/#post-5750276

 

Yeah I just see the hood release cable that could pose a problem on dropping that light grey lower dash piece still debating if I want to try and drill the blank or not

 

I still need back there to wire the switch I think such a tight space behind that little compartment.

 

It's far easier and less messy to remove the lower grey kick panel with the coin trays and all, the hood release cable is pretty flexible, you don't really have to worry about it short of removing the entire panel from the vehicle.

 

I wouldn't drill through the blanks some have accessory plugs plugged into them you could cause a short. (I hate uncontrolled sparks). if you remove the coin tray and are a good contortionist you can usually push them out.

Good luck,

 

If all else fails you could try what this guy posted ^^^^*

 

I did this

 

I took out the seat first when I changed my mirrors. Then I removed the kick panel, dropped the steering wheel (I think), removed the fuse cover, lower dash valance, hood latch pull, switches, etc. and worked my way up to install my heated mirror switch in that location. I had the whole interior in pieces to install heated mirrors. It was pretty easy, but tedious.

 

I think its in my bukld thread. Small drill bit, just througg the surface, then get a dry wall screw started , they tug right out.

 

Pics in my build thread. Dont drill too deep, small diameter hole, just enough to get a drywall screw syarted.

 

That's what I'm thinking is quickest and safest to break less clips

 

The clips aren't overly prone to breaking, especially on a 2013. The screw method will be the fastest for sure... Although someone brought up a great point that some of those blanks have live wire harnesses behind them.

Personally I'd probably spend the 5 minutes and go with what Oz posted