Having experienced the failing master switch issue, I found several threads here that were useful. Probably most informative for me was this one:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...placement.html

However, I did not want to damage the switch bezel in removing it and most of the threads I read cautioned that it is fragile and most showed some level of damage incurred during removal.

Looking at the area, I wondered if one could access the retainer clip by removing the air duct gasket in the front of the door. Sure enough, the gasket came out easily and by prying the duct down a little bit I could see the retainer clip.





It was impossible to get enough light in the area to get a picture. If you shine a small flashlight into the area, you will see the retainer clip pretty clearly. Looking at the photo, you can just barely make out part of the clip in the upper left part of the duct hole, between the edge of the duct and the door panel

Using a long screwdriver, I was able to push back on the retainer enough to disengage it and pop the bezel up a bit. Once I had it disengaged, it was a simple matter to use a small prying tool to pop the bezel out with no damage.






I found that I needed to make sure the screwdriver was positioned as high as I could get it so the force went straight back onto the retainer clip. The pics show the minor damage to the plastic coating of the retainer clip from the screwdriver.




With the bezel out, I smoothed the bent edge of the duct with my fingers, then worked the gasket back in place. It is important to do this with the switch bezel out, once the bezel is popped back in, it is a lot more difficult to get the gasket properly seated in the duct.




This process works better in warm weather when the duct is more pliable and all the plastic parts are a little more forgiving of deflection.

I bought a used switch assembly for $175 on epay. The bezel was damaged but all I needed was the circuit board. I swapped the replacement board into my original switch assembly, then screwed it all back together. After reassembling the switch assembly, I plugged it in, tested all the switches and then popped it back into place.







Et voila!

Thanks to all those who came before me and made my life so much easier. I hope this proves useful to someone.

 

Very clever!! I always worried about breaking the clips!

 

Great alternative! Thanks!