Thread: Need to attach wire to parking brake to install Pioneer AVIC-D2

I am in the process of installing a Pioneer AVIC-D2 (double DIN nav HU). I have to attach a wire to the supply-side of the power brake switch. This will tell the unit if the parking brake is engaged/disengaged. I have found the wiring plug on the parking brake, however there are two wires and I am not sure which wire is powered and which one is the ground. Anyone know?

Anytime I installed in-dash screen in a vehicle of mine I didn't hook up the ground to the parking brake, I just attacthed to a solid always on ground like a bolt somewhere. I didn't drive and watch movies or anything but the unit display would turn left and right so a passanger could watch something on a trip.

What color wires are they? I think I might have an install manual for your unit laying around in my shop.

the wires in the parking brake harness are:
black
beige w/ black stripe

to clear up any confusion, these are the wires in the car, not wires that came with the HU. I have to tap into the positive wire. There is a way to bypass the parking brake lockout, but I still have to connect the parking brake sensor wire.

There is a way to permanently bypass the brake lockout, PM me for explicit instructions. Pioneer products have a built-in nanny to prevent the people who PAY for them to use them the way we want.

The obvious answer to the question is to use the 12 volt test light and attach the ground clip to a known ground and probe the two points on the harness side of the disconnected plug and the one which lites the test light is the hot one...just like you do when you put in a trailer brake controller, at least that is the way us old guys do it... RAM (unless of course our friendly engineers at Ford have made that a ground instead of a live feed as in the old days...)

Ground the brake lead and use Kenny's lock out over-ride. You'll be much happier you did.

If you don't override the lockout, you have to stop the car and set the brake to look for restaurants, etc. or set a route. A real PITA on the highway. If you do the override, your passenger can navigate while you are still moving.

For me, it's not about movies, it's about navigating on the fly without having to stop constantly.

You can PM me for details as well (although mine's a D1). Kenny is in the biz and has current info.

If I am not mistaken, all you hav to do is ground the parking brake lead, green wire on the pioneers. The parking brake switch is normally open , when the brake is depressed, it is normally closed (connected) all it does is make a ground connection. I know for a fact that with the N1 and D1 this is possible. However, with the newer pioneers they use the VSS wire and other internal parts to determine wheter the car is moving. You will get more NAV functions, and no video function if the unit has one. I put one in a Navigator a while back.

Originally Posted by rvaldez1

If I am not mistaken, all you hav to do is ground the parking brake lead, green wire on the pioneers. The parking brake switch is normally open , when the brake is depressed, it is normally closed (connected) all it does is make a ground connection. I know for a fact that with the N1 and D1 this is possible. However, with the newer pioneers they use the VSS wire and other internal parts to determine wheter the car is moving. You will get more NAV functions, and no video function if the unit has one. I put one in a Navigator a while back.

There's a little more to it than that to get full function. Euro units come with the nanny already bypassed. That's how we know how to do it!!!! The internal gyros have to be over-ridden. It's easy, though.

I've done 1/2 a dozen D1's in Fords since they fit so nice. Over-ride every one of em. Reminds me, I need another scrap Pioneer harness.....