Removing a modular switch from the dash

Anyone have any tips on removing an actual switch module from the dash, under the A/C controls? Searching turned up a few discussions about removing the blanks, but the switch is quite tight. I can barely get a couple fingers on it from above, after removing the A/C panel, but not enough to depress the top latch, and no chance of getting to the bottom one. The switch has about 0.025" vertical clearance--trying to slide a shim in top or bottom isn't helping. Anything I can think of that would be strong enough to depress the tabs from the front would be thick enough to mar the dash.

The problem child is

$20 Cllena Dual USB Port Charger Socket Quick Charge 3.0 & 2.4A for Toyota

this--only a handful of uses and the innards have broken loose and slide away from whatever you try to plug in. Its larger brother in one of the slots to the left of the steering column has held up fine.

 

If you pull the center console out where the shifter is and remove the two 10mm bolts from the center arm rest you can move the whole thing back and up to gain more access

 

Well, that sucked. Removing the entire center console wasn't enough--there's still several inches of smooth dash under the switch slots, and it became very clear that nothing would allow better access to the back side of those switch modules other than removing the lower center dash piece. That requires removing the center console, glove box, head unit, and partially unfastening several other trim pieces--finally found another thread that detailed the process: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lower-dash-below-a-c-control-removal.423702/.

As for the module itself, generously applied E6000 and hot melt glue will make sure the internals stay in place. There clearly should have been tailpiece keeping it all together, but I didn't find anything when I had it all torn apart.

 

Yah getting to those is a PIA. You can get there without removing the lower but it’s a pain and almost impossible but can be down. I ended up doing what you did and removed entire and it was easy. Once you get a hang of removing the dash you can do it quickly.

 

I used a harbor freight feeler gauge to slide between the switch and cut out. Use the thicker ones so it will push the tab down without it binding up. Zip tie ends work well to hold it open to do the next one

 

I would get add fuse for this too.