drober30

Excellent! Thanks everyone!

These are two perfect answers! Because I need to know out of the two which one I can use?

1. Do I just attach the Z1 VSS wire to the PAC module and I'm good?

2. I need to attach the Z1 to the actual VSS wire on the PCM.

My guess is that the PAC harness finds the VSS and I only need to attach the Z1 to the PAC.

Thanks!

Does anybody have a 06 Charger with the VSS wire hooked up?

The C2R-CHY provides Accessory, Parking Brake, Reverse, Parking light and [b]VSS [/b]outputs.

Because the PAC module includes a VSS output does that mean I can have the AVIC Z1 hooked up to that?

You know how you can add 6 static icons on the vicinity search page, well how come when you select add then detail you cant get all the choices that you would under POI.

For example, I wanted to add my bank as a static icon on that page. Under POI, all the branches come up but under the vicinity search page and choosing detail, none of my branches appear as an option. Gas station was same way.

[quote]That's really weird. If that's off, then it shouldn't come up with that message. You might want to reset the unit. There are 4 levels of resetting. You might want to try them all. Usually just the recessed button to the right of the eject button will get rid of that message... Unless they programmed and installed the TR7's wrong. [/quote]

I did press the recessed reset button on the front of the unit the first time this happened. It fixed it for that day. Can I trouble you for the other reset levels you mentioned? I know there is one in the menu that says reset to factory.

[quote name="ducatiboy"]Hit

MENU-SETTINGS-HARDWARE-CONNECTION STATUS

And look at the status of the parking brake connection. Is it ON all the time? If so, that's your problem. Even with 2 TR7's you will need to disconnect your parking brake wire. You don't want it grounded all the time.

I'm going to guess that's your problem, disconnect that wire, and then reset the unit and those 2 TR7's should work just fine.[/quote]

I just checked and it reads OFF. I started the car and it immediately came up with that message.

I will call them and tell them I want your circuit installed. I will ask them if I buy it if they will put it in. I'm sure they will their real good guys.

I have two vehicles so I will be ordering two circuits if they will.

Another question: I had one installed in my 05 Trailblazer last week and the tech said he could not get the illumination to work because there was no 12v just a pulse or something like that. I thought I read that with your circuit it didn’t matter that it would work with these new pulse/canbus systems?

My AVIC Z1 is bypassed with a TR7, actually two TR7 because I have auto headlights.

After driving my car for a while the parking break message comes up and my system is no longer bypassed. I searched the forum because I thought this happened to someone else but I could not find the post.

I had this professionally installed and they wanted to use the TR7. I have reset the unit before but it keeps happening. Any ideas?

UPDATE:

I located the BT module and disconnected it. It was interfering in several ways once the pioneer BT was added.

Phone: Motorola i580
Carrier: NEXTEL
Transfer: ?
Calling: Fully functional

Plus 2-way radio works with the Z1 but no incoming call info.
It will just mute to receive the incoming alert.

Can the illumination wire be connected on a 2005 Trailblazer?

The installer stated he could not do it. He tried to explain that the system sends some type of +/- pulse that does not work.

[quote name="ducatiboy"] [quote name="drober30"]
DB,
I still have 5 days to return my unit to CC which I'm going to do.

Everything you stated is right in line with what I was thinking.

I know with the Alpine units that once you put in an upgrade DVD that you could not use the older DVD again and I can’t recall for certain but I really think that it flashed the firmware to add enhancements or fix bugs.

Thanks for the detailed feedback![/quote]

You are welcome but all that said, the old units and the flasher bypass is not really that bad. It's been proven very reliable. It doesn't alter the Z1 at all and it even gives you a couple other possibilities where to hook to your car's ILL wire (I programmed my circuit to work off most dimmer wires as well).

Pioneer kept a bypass in the units. I'm assuming that the reason they stopped the flasher was cause you can install the unit exactly like they said, and still accidentally watch DVD's while moving (if you happen to turn on the headlights at the right time). So they made it something that you purposly have to modify in order to do this, but they took out something and put something else in. They want to have a bypass, it sells units. But they want to make it something that you can't stumble into accidentally. You have to modify their wiring harness to do it.

I don't know if it's worth returning your April unit to get a July unit, it will save you $35 for my circuit. But having an older unit with a flasher for the bypass is not really that bad. My circuit is less reliable, but only slightly.

If you want to trade the unit in for another brand, that's fine. But going through the hassle for getting a newer unit doesn't seem like it's worth it to me.[/quote]

I have to agree with you again, however, I'm returning the unit because I went and bought it on my CC card interest free for 12 months to have another bypassed unit. Now that I don’t really need to worry about the manufactured date I will pick another unit up later.

I guess my question really revolved around Pioneer disabling the flashing technique in units already out there for the reasons you stated (people can bypass the units without altering them). The question is will they/can they?

I'm new to Pioneer but my understanding is the grounding of the wire is what has been used on all their previous models? If so seems like a safer bet they will leave it alone.

[quote name="ducatiboy"] [quote name="drober30"]I ran out and bought a second AVIC Z1 with an April date when it was determined that the July units could not be bypassed.[/quote]

Sorry about that. I don't know if it was determined that they could not be bypassed. We did know they couldn't be bypassed with my circuit... it just took a little time to figure out what it took for the new July units.

[quote name="drober30"]
Now that the July units can be bypassed in an even easier fashion (just grounding a wire) I wonder what unit would be better, April/July?[/quote]

Actually it's grounding 2 wires.
[url=http://www.sminntech.com/z1flash.html]http://www.sminntech.com/z1flash.html[/url]

What would be better? I would say that the July 06 unit bypass is "better". There are a couple things that would constitute as "better".

1. What is bypassed?
2. What is more reliable?

Well the stuff that is bypassed is exactly the same on both. It's not like 1/2 the stuff is bypassed with one while everything is bypassed with the other. The end result of the bypassing results in the same exact unit.

So we are only left with "better" referring to what is more reliable. And I would have to say that the new bypass with grounding the 2 wires is more reliable. Not cause I have no confidence in my circuits, but because they have processors, software, and a dozen components. All this to make it as easy as possible to install. Every single part has a failure rate and a possibility of failure. I tried to minimize this as much as possible when I designed it, but the fact remains all those parts have more of a possibility of failure (how ever remote) than 2 wires do.

So better? I would have to say that the new July units are better.

[quote name="drober30"]
The pre July units could be disabled with a software upgrade?[/quote]

It's possible, any thing is possible. I don't know what "features" or components of the Z1 can be updated with a software upgrade. I can't say for sure what can and can not be upgraded with the Z1.

[quote name="drober30"]
The post July units are bypassed physically and have a less of a chance being affected with a software upgrade?

What are your thoughts on this?[/quote]

I can tell you one thing though. If the Pre-July units (headlight flasher) bypass can be disabled with a software update then so can the July 06 (ground 2 wires). Both of these were put in on purpose. They took out the headlight flashing software and put in the 2 wire grounded check. They can make a change going forward.

My belief is that the software upgrades is for the hard drive, not flashing the micro on the fly while the unit is installed. This bypass is handled by the unit not the software in the hard drive, I think that is just data. So I am guessing that neither will be "updated" away. But that's just my thoughts with no real knowledge on how the Z1 is engineered or what the engineers at Pioneer have up their sleve over the next few years.[/quote]

DB,
I still have 5 days to return my unit to CC which I'm going to do.

Everything you stated is right in line with what I was thinking.

I know with the Alpine units that once you put in an upgrade DVD that you could not use the older DVD again and I can’t recall for certain but I really think that it flashed the firmware to add enhancements or fix bugs.

Thanks for the detailed feedback!

I ran out and bought a second AVIC Z1 with an April date when it was determined that the July units could not be bypassed.

Now that the July units can be bypassed in an even easier fashion (just grounding a wire) I wonder what unit would be better, April/July?

The pre July units could be disabled with a software upgrade?

The post July units are bypassed physically and have a less of a chance being affected with a software upgrade?

What are your thoughts on this?

With all that I would say $300 or less for install. That includes dash kit, wiring harness, bypass if needed and labor for everything else.

What were you thinking it would cost?

[quote name="raddd"] DAMNNIT PIONEER WHY CANT U HAVE A ATT BUTTON!!!!!![/quote]

One of my buttons on my steering wheel control is programed to mute the radio. When I do. "ATT" is displayed on the screen. What does this stand for? I wondered if it was normal? I guess it is?

Ducatiboy, nothing can beat buying a $1500+ piece of equipment just to see if you can help us all out. You know you are king here with us!!! Not just for the first bypass but for all your posts and contributions to this awesome forum!

I appreciate everyone who contributes, not just for the bypass (most important though) but for all information.

Thanks everyone!!!!

[quote name="ducatiboy"] [quote name="cntrylvr79"]Wow you mean it might have actually become easier to bypass... Downside is people won't need your circuit anymore. Which I guess that does kind of suck.[/quote]

Yah, that is true. I was hoping that I could still stay in business, but what's even worse, I don't think anyone ever needed my circuit. I think that everyone could have just done this from the beginning, I'm going to test my old unit as well. I think sales just went to 0 and will stay there from now on :) Oh well, it's better to be honest than rich.

I'm going to take a bunch of pictures to make sure everyone can see how it's done.[/quote]

Wow!! You really are a stand up guy!!! Thanks for keeping the fun in fun!

[quote name="ducatiboy"] [quote name="drober30"]I can promise Pioneer that I will not buy their software update until it has been determined that the bypass will be left alone.
[/quote]

I don't believe they will be selling the update. I think it will be a free update from the web site. And yes, I wouldn't want to ruin the bypass either.[/quote]

Interesting, Alpine sells all there updated maps and features for $300 a pop. I purchased when it was a major version change not a minor one.

Also, Alpine use to give you a free upgrade to a minor change after you bought the unit if your unit did not come with the latest version. If it was a complete version change than it cost you $300.00

[quote name="branas"]So, my April '06 model is being installed today. Do I need to worry that a software update will create the problem of not being able to bypass? Or is this a hardware issue on the July and later units?[/quote]

I can promise Pioneer that I will not buy their software update until it has been determined that the bypass will be left alone.

I left years of loyalty with Alpine to buy Two of these AVIC Z1's but would consider them worthless if I cant do a POI or address search while rolling. That’s just how I feel...

Well I lucked out and picked up one with a date of April. Now I dont have to worry about testing.

[quote name="ducatiboy"] [quote name="drober30"]Is there any way to "bench test" a unit. Or is the motion/speed sensor what must be tested while the vehicle is moving?[/quote]

You do not have to be moving or have the Z1 installed in a vehicle to see if it's one of the "good" (old) ones.

To bench test that the flasher will work (either manually or with my circuit).

Do NOT connect the parking brake sense wire to anything. Connect black to ground, red and yellow to 12 volts and when the unit boots up touch the orange/white wire to the 12v and remove it. Do it a few times, when you boot up, this will simulate the flashing of the headlights. Make sure you do this "flashing" at the right times, there is a sweet spot about 5 seconds after the unit receives 12V and before 8 seconds.

If the parking brake wire is NOT grounded, and you do this, then hit MENU (if you see the disclaimer hit OK and hit MENU again) look for the ADDRESS SEARCH and POI SEARCH buttons. If they are available then that unit will work with the flasher. If they are NOT available (they are grayed out) then that unit will NOT work (no bypass yet for this).[/quote]

Thanks for the info!!!

I don't have any experience in installing a car radio but I have confidence that I can follow your straight forward instructions.

Question: Can I twist the yellow/red together and run straight to my positive post on the car battery? The ground straight to the negative post on my car battery? Then tap the orange/white wire to my positive post on the car battery? Is going straight to the car battery 12V?

If so that’s pretty easy.

Let us know the MFR Date and the outcome.

[quote name="ducatiboy"]There was one report of the bypass not working on a June 06 unit. This could have been an installer error, or something. Also there was one report of a July 06 where it did work. I don't know if there is a clear line or a "safe" month until you go back to May. May is safe. June is a good chance, July is a bad chance, and Aug is no chance.... at least so far.[/quote]

Is there any way to "bench test" a unit. Or is the motion/speed sensor what must be tested while the vehicle is moving?

[quote name="03Aviator"]From everything we've seen, the new "fixed" units weren't produced until July.[/quote]

I thought so but I was wondering if anybody had a June date that gave them problems. Could of been the last units off the line in June?

I was thinking on picking up another unit and the ones they have are June 2006.

Has anybody had a problem with a June model and the bypass?

I wont be installing it for a few months (actually having it installed) until my lease is up.

I don’t want to waste 2k on a unit that cant be bypassed.

Thanks!