Hi again,

This forum had me convinced to install a Z1 myself so I downloaded the wiring diagrams for my new 2006 Explorer and discovered Ford has gone to CAN bus for all wiring. The audio connector at the stock radio has only power inputs plus CAN bus; no Illumination wire, no Vehicle Speed Sensor wire, nothing. So, how does the Z1 connect up?

I assume I would have to go directly to the headlight switch to tap into Illumination, and the car's engine control computer must get a speed signal from somewhere (I found an "Output Shaft Sensor" lead coming from the tranny, but God only knows if I can trace that somewhere accessible or if it even is usable by the Z1).

Do any of you professional wiring experts have any advice? Is this install too difficult to DYI?

TIA.

I am no expert but you don’t have to go to the headlight switch, just find anything that lights up when you turn your headlights on. Your stock stereo must of had one, if not then your HVAC controls. You just need a Voltmeter and switch your headlights on and off and find the wire that changes voltage every time you do it.
Your VSS wire will be a little harder. You must have a PCM in your car and your VSS wire will go there...
As to finding it I will leave that to one of the pros to come in here and help you out. Good luck.

Hi tjdehya,

No, the stock radio doesn't have an "Illumination" wire; neither does the dash guage assembly. That's the problem. These modules all get a signal over the CAN bus (a 2-wire communications bus) that "lights are on" or "lights are off." Therein lies the problem. That's why I think I would have to go directly to sensors or switches for everything.

For example, the "Output Shaft Speed (OSS) Sensor" goes into the engine computer and then the computer sends a signal via the CAN bus to the tach and speedometer. They read this signal and display the appropriate info.

It's the way the whole auto industry is going (I'm an electrical engineer in the semiconductor industry, and trust me this is the future for car wiring). As I understand it my Explorer doesn't even have a throttle cable; it's drive by wire.

Ok, I found there are "Illumination" wires going to some of the individual light-up components, such as the Message Center Switch. Only the big components, like the gauge assembly and audio assembly get this via the CAN bus. Now the only major remaining hurdle is the VSS.

Any ideas on the VSS?

FORD, EXPLORER, 2006, Parking Lights+
The SJB (Smart Junction Box) is part of the fuse/relay box under the driver side dash.

FORD, EXPLORER, 2006, Speed Sense
The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) is on the passenger side firewall.
The VSS wire is also found at the windshield wiper motor, pin 4.

Reverse Lights BROWN/BLUE (+) DRIVERS KICK PANEL OR SJB CONN D PIN6

ufd108 said:

(I'm an electrical engineer in the semiconductor industry, and trust me this is the future for car wiring).

Funny... me too, lol j/k not any more I am in the military now, changed career from Engineer to Pilot almost a year now.
My car runs on the Can bus too and because my ILL in the car has a fade option, my ILL voltage is 0V off and 3-12V when on, my stereo also didn’t have an ILL or at least I couldn’t find it when I did the install so I tapped into the HVAC ILL.
I know where the VSS is for my car but I am not effn with it! The NAV works perfectly without it and I am scared of the Canbus. We know that the Pioneer is only reading the input, but the Canbus is sooooo touchy! I disconnected the Factory Amp and the car went NUTS! I had to get the car Flashed.
The only thing you won’t get by not hooking up the VSS is 3d hybrid mode... and you will never miss it.

Thank you 12VPIMPEN. I should have realized that even though the major components (audio system, instrument cluster, etc.) all use CAN bus to communicate the smaller items, like the individual indicators and switches that light up, and the speed-sensitive windshield wipers, would have discrete signals.

Ok, I guess it's safe to order my Z1 now. I'm confident I have access to everything necessary to hook it up.

Thanks again to all who helped.

ufd108 said:

Thank you 12VPIMPEN. I should have realized that even though the major components (audio system, instrument cluster, etc.) all use CAN bus to communicate the smaller items, like the individual indicators and switches that light up, and the speed-sensitive windshield wipers, would have discrete signals.

Ok, I guess it's safe to order my Z1 now. I'm confident I have access to everything necessary to hook it up.

Thanks again to all who helped.

Speed sensitive windshield wipers? I have never heard of these, what's the advantage (It's probably painfully obvious) And I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, just curious.

When in intermittent mode the windshield wiper delay adjusts in reponse to vehicle speed (i.e., when stopped at a light you don't need the wipers going as often as you would on the highway given the same rain conditions). I didn't know the Explorer had these (I know, read the F#$%en manual) but I can't think of any other reason the vehicle speed sensor goes into the wiper motor control. I have had these on other cars though.