In my humble opinion, the stock DeLorean switch panel is archaic in design and weak in functionality. Have you ever had one of the power window switches break on you? Have you ever tried to put it back together? When replacement window switches can run as much as $50 each, clearly we need a new panel that fits better with the style of the car and also has some newer features. LED illuminated window switches would be sweet.
This new switch panel needs to be a modular component, and it should plug-and-play with the factory wiring. At a minimum, the panel should control the windows and the rear window defogger, but the panel could be made to do so much more!
When I did this upgrade, my center console was already disassembled and out of the vehicle. That made it easier to get the proper shape for the switch panel. But now that I have it designed, the switch panel itself will plug-and-play with the factory wiring.
The switches are made in China for an Italian company, and I have only been able to get them through an American supplier. The switch covers and surrounding bezels are made of billet aluminum, and they have a brushed metal look - very similar to the stainless of the D. When I order them, each backlit switch comes with a crappy amber incandescent bulb and two holes so the light can show through. I can take the switches apart and rip out the incandescent bulbs, replacing them with two LEDs and a resistor. This means I can make each hole a different color. The switch is much brighter, and it no longer gets hot because LEDs generate almost no heat and pull almost no current. The whole switch panel illumination circuit pulls less than 0.040 Amps, so there is no significant power drain on the battery.
I’ve installed five rocker switches - two of which control my power windows and are color coded. (green is up, blue is down) The other three switches have been wired to send out grounding signals. These trigger my Wings-A-Loft and Trunk-A-Loft relays, and my trunk-opening actuator. Now, if I’m in the driver’s seat and I want to open my door, I just click a button on the console and my door opens. It’s like no other feeling in the world. I don’t even use my plastic door handle anymore. I just tap the blue light when I want to get out.
