2 replies to this topic

[vinhvle]

Lately, I've been installing interior options in my base 2010 Toyota Matrix that were only offered in the upmodel XRS and S models. One afternoon, after I removed the center console, I noticed that there was a connector taped to a wire behind the blank switch panel to the left of the clock and a connector taped to a wire behind the blank 115V outlet panel next to the 12V outlet. It occurred to me that the wires for the power converter, normally found under the driver's seat were installed from the manufacturer, but they weren't connected to any hardware. I bought a used OEM, 115V outlet on eBay from a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, removed the blank panel from my Matrix, connected it to the wire closest to it and slid it into place. Then I ordered a new "120V switch assembly" online (for what I thought was for a 09+ Matrix but turned out to be for a Rav4).



I connected it to the wire closest to the area behind blank switch panel to the left of the clock and replaced the blank panel with it. The hardest part was finding a power converter from a used Matrix/Vibe that had a preexisting connector that I could use to figure out what goes where. Fortunately, I found a used one on eBay for $30 (with a bracket!) from a 2004 Matrix. I bolted the left side of it down to an existing hole under the driver's seat, to the left of the VSC module. I connected the preexisting converter to switch to 115V outlet connector, located conveniently under the seat, once again taped to another wire, to the converter itself. I turned on the car and pressed the switch, but I had no power from the outlet, even though two pins of the converter are connected to the outlet, and one pin on the switch is connected directly to a 12V source.



After some rudimentary troubleshooting with a multimeter, I realized that there was no power going to the converter and unless I traced down the wire running to the switch assembly, it would become nothing more than a $80 illuminated, non-functional rocker switch (and it did because I'm lazy). To get it up and running, I simply spliced the 12V+ wire running to the 12V outlet to a wire. Then I spliced the other end of this wire to the 12V+ wire running to the converter (if you're looking down at it, it's the wire on the top right side).



The switch doesn't work (it illuminates, but doesn't actually turn the outlet's power source on and off), and I can't use the converter unless the ignition is in ACC or the car is started (although I don't think I could've used it even if the switch worked), but in the end it works and I had a chance to fill those unsightly blank panels with something. From what I understand, the outlet doesn't work in a S or XRS when the car isn't in the ACC or turned on so I'm not sure why you'd need a switch in the first place - the outlet's power is cut off when the car isn't running. Would anyone need to cut off power to the outlet when the car is turned on? Wouldn't you have the switch so you could use the outlet when the car is turned off?

[lotusgarage.com]

vinhvle, on 09 September 2011 - 07:50 PM, said:

From what I understand, the outlet doesn't work in a S or XRS when the car isn't in the ACC or turned on so I'm not sure why you'd need a switch in the first place - the outlet's power is cut off when the car isn't running. Would anyone need to cut off power to the outlet when the car is turned on? Wouldn't you have the switch so you could use the outlet when the car is turned off?

nice job w/ a multimeter.

I ran x-mas lights on my 2003 XrS outlet, & i don't need them On during the daytime. -> switch/off!
Also, you wouldn't want anything On w/o the keys in there else you'd run outta juice quickly... it's a safety/idiot switch (keys). think about it.

good work yo.

[tjollimore]

Lotus is right. An inverter is actively converting a DC power source (flat) to AC (fluctuating). It takes power to do this (a bit more than what it takes to run a small auto light bulb) so unless you were using it to power something, you wouldn't want it on. And no, the inverter in our base '04 Vibe doesn't come on unless the ignition is turned to ACC or On. But neither will the 'cigarette lighter' ports.

Go over the wiring with someone that knows electrical schematics. Probably wouldn't be too hard to make the switch 'work' if you wanted it to. If you wanted incentive, think of it as stealing power from your engine...