In A Coupe With NO Sunroof Option?
What follows is a step-by-step breakdown of the center console switch module from a 991. In this particular case, the donor did not have PSE (Thanks for fellow member for donating!). The challenge in doing anything with this console module? It is a single control board, with various switches mapped and likely programmed specific to the car and its' options (ie when you add PSE they replace the entire switch unit, not just add a single switch). In the "old days" you could pull a single, isolated switch from the dash or console, and replace with something else, or at least gain direct access to specific wires and such going to the accessory buttons. Nowadays, all of the switches are on a single circuit board, and tie-in to the car network (CAN) through a couple of wires and a connector. Let's get to the deconstruction. You need to remove the switch module from the center console, so if you haven't already you should review the DIY I posted previously on just how to do this. So if you've followed the removal DIY, disconnected the cable running to the switch-box, you should be holding the 'black box' at this point.
This is the "underside" of the switch box. There are 6 torx head screws that you need to remove, as indicated in the following picture. These are small, so if you have a tray or even a small plastic sandwich bag you should put them in a safe place. Would hate to lose one of these buggers! With the screws removed, gently pull-up on the the back-cover and put aside. You'll find as you separate the back from the main assembly that there is a rubber gasket layer sandwiched in there (covering the circuit board) - you'll notice it in the area where my thumb is in the following pic. Place the back cover aside. In this picture, you can see what you've exposed is a single circuit board. Now pull-up gently on the circuit board, separating it from the main assembly. Do so carefully, as in the picture below you'll find that there is a spring in the center -- don't lose that! Red arrow indicates a small spring in the center of the assembly. Have something handy, like a small bowl or plastic bag, to put the small bits in. Place the circuit board to the side.
The first observation about this is that given the space under the dummy switch covers (effectively they are hollow) it is very possible that an aftermarket / custom switch assembly can be added. More on that later. On one side you see the standard green board with some chips and other bits visible. You can pull that off - there isn't anything holding it in place that you need to worry about. The small metal discs correspond to the switch contact points, which in turn are mapped to the corresponding circuits for controlling specific features / functions of the car. This is all via CAN-BUS and programming, so if you were expecting to be able to tap into specific wiring for a switch you are out of luck! The rubber gasket is effectively protecting the circuit board and contacts from any moisture, such as when someone might spill or drip beverages onto the center console. Might make for some sticky buttons, but looks to me like there wouldn't be much chance for shorting or other electrical problems!
Back at the "rear" of the switch console box -- you can remove the three grey assemblies, taking care with the center one which has a spring. The plastic bits literally just fall-out so nothing tricky needed for removal. In the case of my car the switch buttons are to control the metal sunroof. Open / Close / Partial settings and corresponding buttons. If this were a cab car, I would expect these buttons to control the top open / close functions. In a coupe with NO sunroof option? Not sure what would be there. To remove one of the buttons that are already in place, you will need to push it out from the rear. I used a small micro-screwdriver and gently pushed until it popped-out a bit and I could pull it the rest of the way out. The face plate is a small thin black plastic part with a small hole in the corner (for the red indicator light). NOTE that the face plates are right - or - left side specific.