Navigation Input Override (Speed Sensor Bypass)

[hawkmoon77]

I would like to install a switch, that when pressed, would allow the passenger the full and unrestricted ablity to enter info on the NAV screen.

Now that my auto-headlights are finished, I will be working on this mod. I believe I have identified the correct wires. The next part will be designing the circuit to control it. It is more than just disconnecting the speed sensor input. While driving, disconnecting the speed sensor input only releases the input restrictions for about 5 to 15 seconds. A small oscillating relay circuit will be required. The trick is in finding the correct on-off interval rate.

Anyone else interested in this Mod?

[rachaelseven]

If it plugs in and doesn't require completely disassembling the dashboard, I'd pay for such a mod.

[topkick]

I would be interested in that.

[hawkmoon77]

This would not require the whole dash to be removed as I did when I installed the headlight mod. There are pictures on that thread if you want to see how "deep" into the inside of the dash I went.

This mod would require getting behind the NAV unit, which is held on with four screws and covered with a couple of small trim pieces that are held on with some clips. Not the most challenging mod ever, but it would be more than a plug and play addition.

Do to the relative ease of this mod, it is nothing that I would ever charge for or sell to group members (if that was your idea). I would just post instructions on how I did it for those wanting to learn from my experience.

On a related note, regarding the safety issue: While I could technically wire this up so that it would only work if a passenger were present in their seat, it would overcomplicate the mod. If this is the concern, then the switch can be installed out of the reach of the driver, but within the reach of the front passanger and problem solved. After all, the driver does not need access to the override switch since the intention is for the passanger to have unrestricted input access.

[aapoppa]

Originally Posted by hawkmoon77

Anyone else interested in this Mod?

Count me in.

[rachaelseven]

I'm there with you. I don't mind tapping a few wires or even a bit of cutting and soldering... I just got really nervous when I saw how far in you went for the headlight mod. In my experience, my dashboards are never quite the same after I've had them apart that far - clips get weaker, screw threads in plastic strip, etc. No problem with a radio or NAV unit and a bit of fascia... I just wouldn't take the main dash pieces off. So if we only have to pull the NAV and associated trim pieces, count me in.

[hawkmoon77]

Originally Posted by rachaelseven

In my experience, my dashboards are never quite the same after I've had them apart that far - clips get weaker, screw threads in plastic strip, etc.

You know, It's funny you mentino that... I was just telling a buddy of mine that Toyota actually got the clips right. I've had the same experience with every other car I've worked on, including my 2002 Prius. Something about Toyota's design really works here. There were no stress marks (the colored plastic turning white) on the clips, no damaged cor bent clips, nothing. Everything just popped off when you pulled it in the right way. As for bolts and screws. One screw, and two bolts for the entire dissassembly.

More amazing is that when everything went back, and if you saw the photos, you should have the proper context, the entire reassembly took me maybe 20 to 25 minutes. Everything snapped back in as tightly as it came out. I was very impresed with the design.

As for this mod, I will be working on it this weekend. and will post more on Monday.

[stream]

Originally Posted by hawkmoon77

Anyone else interested in this Mod?

I am.

Would it also work for audio & phone?

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by hawkmoon77

On a related note, regarding the safety issue: While I could technically wire this up so that it would only work if a passenger were present in their seat, it would overcomplicate the mod. If this is the concern, then the switch can be installed out of the reach of the driver, but within the reach of the front passanger and problem solved. After all, the driver does not need access to the override switch since the intention is for the passanger to have unrestricted input access.

Yeah, I don't think anyone on this forum would want to place the driver in a situation where they were playing with the NAV when they should be playing with all the other screens and displays.

[hawkmoon77]

This mod is finished and was very easy.

Yes, it works for audio and phone as well.

Here's how it works:

A simple switch either connects or disconnect the speed input wire to the NAV system. There are no other electronics or anything.

The button is normally "on." When you click the button "off" my passanger has full access to the NAV/Audio/Phone input screens. However, do to the way the NAV system works (where it periodically checks the GPS data) this only lasts for about one to two minutes or so. If they need access for more than that, they need only turn the switch "on" then "off" again. When they are finished, they would press the switch "on" again to reconnect the speed info to the NAV unit.

Note that while the switch is off, the system is not getting speed input and will not track the location of the car on the map. When the switch is clicked "on" again, and speed input goes tot he NAV again, there is about a 30 to 60 second delay before the NAV updates the current position of the car.

While I suppose there are ways to avoid these quirks, this is the simplest implementatino I could come up with (It does only require one $2 switch). It is also very practical.