Navigation Hack! (Hardware Version)

[Chayce]

When you use GPS as part of your business and you really want to use the powerful features of this system, this is a must! If you are only typing in one or two addresses, then yes, I agree; do it before you leave. I will probably never even use that feature while driving. However, access to POI information while on the go is essential, as is being able to browse your entire phonebook, as is being able to change the region of the country, as is being able to scroll to more than one screen of nearby places, as is being able to call a nearby place through bluetooth, etc. etc.

My opinion: if you don't need these capabilities, you paid way too much for an option you didn't need...get a $300 Garmin.

[spartikus]

Originally Posted by Sol2.5sl

man f*** all the work just to use your navi while driving..just punch in the destinations when your parked you lazy butt

It is quite stupid though not to be able to change destination and a whole bunch of other stuff while driving, I was in my friend's acura tsx he has no problems with his navigation system he can do whatever he wants while driving or parked Nissan truly f__ked up on this, no matter what anyone says it truly is annoying as hell.

[astal]

gtcompscientist,

thank you very much for your step-by-step instruction!! it took me less then an hour to install the navigation hack using it!

Since I don't have extra Nissan factory button (TCS switch) and didn't want to wait to get it - I used switch that is used in many PC cases, Power supplies etc (I just had several of them laying around). See picture below. They also sell those in Radio Shack

I may get Nissan button one day after my warranty is over. The reason I don't want to install it now - current "temporary" switch can be easily removed and hidden under the dash board in 30 seconds without any tools - if I need to bring my car to a dealer.

I want to make one comment (and may be it's a good idea to update instructions). in post #2 you say:

"** OH! I almost forgot. I didn't do this, but it would have been a huge help. I would do this on a flat surface and put the car in "N" and put the parking brake on. Some of the stuff gets in the way if you don't do this. But make sure that the car is off when doing this!!!"

It was indeed easier to work with stick in "N" position. But one of these 2 steps resulted in a small problem for me:
1. I removed A/C vents and disconnected wires form "Passenger Air Bag light" and Emergency Light button BEFORE I put car into "N". So in order to put car into "N" - I started the car with "Passenger Air Bag light" disconnected.
2. After I finished with the hack I installed navigation unit back in but didn't put all the screws back and didn't connect A/C vents and "Passenger Air Bag light" & Emergency Lights button wires back - and did a test drive to see if Hack is working.

After I assembled everything back - I had blinking Airbag Warning indicator on the console (the one that lights up after you start the car and should turn off in 7 seconds). I didn't noticed after what step (1 or 2) it started blinking - but one may want to avoid disconnecting "Passenger Air Bag light" wire from A/C vents panel.

It was an easy fix though - just follow instructions SRC.pdf on page SRC-14 - it will reset Airbag warning light after passing the test. Requires start-stop the car total 5 times.

Once again, thank you very much!

[CPanther95]

Originally Posted by gtcompscientist

Ran some tests the other day about how far off it can all get off... it performed fairly well. The more I use the button the more willing I am to use it. If you accidentally left it for a while it would get SERIOUSLY confused, but as long as you don't do something like that, it should be fine. I left the switch on for 2 blocks while figuring out how to set up the DST on the car (Setup->Clock->Daylight Savings Time... actually pretty easy!). It worked perfectly and I haven't had any times when it has accidentally gone off or anything. Still works great!!

I hope you're still hanging around here - great walkthrough, but have a quick question.

What happens in the worst-case scenario....say you turn off the speed sensing and drive 120 miles down the road - won't it eventually self correct once it picks up the GPS satellites?

[gtcompscientist]

Originally Posted by CPanther95

I hope you're still hanging around here - great walkthrough, but have a quick question.

What happens in the worst-case scenario....say you turn off the speed sensing and drive 120 miles down the road - won't it eventually self correct once it picks up the GPS satellites?

In that scenario, it will not get back on until you stop, turn-off the car, and turn it back on. Which is seriously unfortunate.

[langjie]

Originally Posted by gtcompscientist

In that scenario, it will not get back on until you stop, turn-off the car, and turn it back on. Which is seriously unfortunate.

that sounds as screwed up as my nav system now...and that's without the nav hack....i need to go and get it recalibrated or something

[Nissan4LIFE]

OK...I will let you all know that if you do this hack and leave the button off to make any adjustments while driving for a distance of lets say 5-10 miles...the Nav may get a little "messed up" and not accurately get your exact spot while moving, simply you just need to either stop the car for about 3-5 seconds or just slow down to 15mph so the tracking can catch up. What happened to me is that I got on the freeway and hit the switch but forgot to hit it back and I got really messed up and when I realized this and hit the switch back...it didn't fix the problem until I actually pulled over and stopped so if this happens to you guys, just stop and see if it will fix the problem. I physically didn't have to turn off the car to fix it but I did once have to reset the switch by turning it off and back on again.

[badmf532]

yo man MADDD props i know i wouldnt have the balls to do it

[Nissan4LIFE]

Hey Charles...any updates on hacking the video input.

[gtcompscientist]

I found a company that may offer a solution for the video, but I am still checking it out. I will let everybody know if I find something.

[Nissan4LIFE]

Thank you soo much for looking into this...I have emailed Pacific Accessory Corporation (PAC) and still waiting for a response.

[Nissan4LIFE]

Originally Posted by gtcompscientist

I found a company that may offer a solution for the video, but I am still checking it out. I will let everybody know if I find something.

Aww man...the suspense is killing me. Any updates or can you PM me the company so I can check it out too.

[FoxSkulk]

Have you ever thought of adding a switch to allow you to turn on the backup camera at will? This would make parking easier and allow you to see behind your car in normal traffic situations. Thanks for the Navigation modification. That will be very helpful when I make it to my 08 Altima HEV.


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Originally Posted by gtcompscientist

Thanks for all the props.

To answer all the questions:

The temp. location is exactly where you guessed. The footwell was the only place that I could put it without drilling a hole or anything. And I am going to have to take at least some of it apart to re-position that switch. The work isn't all that hard.



It's really not that hard. Just go for it! Installing the switch is going to be the hardest part.

UPDATE: I called Nissan to see if I could get a "blank" switch that matches the "VDC Off" Switch next to the steering wheel. It's $35 and they don't have a blank one, only the VDC and TCS versions. I'm not even sure if it will work, so I'm probably going to hold off on that for now. I'll update you if I make any changes.

[gtcompscientist]

Originally Posted by FoxSkulk

Have you ever thought of adding a switch to allow you to turn on the backup camera at will? This would make parking easier and allow you to see behind your car in normal traffic situations. Thanks for the Navigation modification. That will be very helpful when I make it to my 08 Altima HEV.

I have thought about it, the problem is that the signals are VERY different, and it wouldn't just be grounding a wire. I am still trying to figure out how to do that. Because that could also add in the ability to show movies on the screen.

[Nissan4LIFE]

Cool GTcompscientist...whats the status on the video input.