Car Hacking | Stop installing aftermarket switches! | How to add extra functionality to buttons that already exist in your car.

The goal of this article is to provide the reader a seamless way to add new functions to buttons in their vehicle — all through the magic of CAN bus!

The Influence

Since cars were invented, people have been customizing them. It’s in our DNA. For the better part of a decade, I’ve worked as a 12v installer integrating all different sorts of electronics into modern cars.

The problem with adding most aftermarket electronics is that typically no ideal way to activate or deactivate them exists. Most people will just add a momentary button somewhere on their dashboard — either with adhesive or by drilling a permanent hole. Others that want to preserve a factory look will purchase OEM buttons specifically designed for their year, make, and model. However, the cost of these can add up fast and soon you’re spending a considerable amount on simply switches alone.

In my experience, customers that purchase high end vehicles often times want little to no aesthetic modification at all. Using an Arduino and CAN receiver, we are able to accomplish exactly this.

If you are brand new to Arduino or CAN, it may be beneficial to skim through my…