I spent a few hours tonight poking at different options to bypass the detailed nav functions lockout while moving.

 

After probing around there are no definitive signals coming in that indicate park so grounding such a wire is not an option.

 

Disconnecting the speed input does cause a nag message to pop up at power on about a system modification may have been performed and to see your dealer.

 

In order for the "bypass" to work the GPS antenna and speed input (pin 16 on the middle plug) must be disconnected. Of course there will be no map movement while it is in bypass so it would have to be a toggle switch or the like.

 

Anyone know where I could get a short cable that the nav system uses so I could build a box with some relays to open the antenna signal (or short it to ground) to disable the input? Also is this maybe something that can be done via software? I saw no obvious solder bridge config jumpers a'la D3 when I took the top off.

 

Anyone been down this road before?

This was done on a 2006 Ford Freestyle which has the factory nav system installation. I would expect most f the other Ford 2005 - 2007 nav system's would be applicable.

 

With a DPST switch I was able to cut the RG-174 antenna coax and the Vehicle speed input (pin 16 Black w/ Yellow) and with this switch it opens the center conductor of the coax, and the speed input on pin 16.

 

The system does pop up a "connect error - see your dealer" message when you flip the switch and once you hit okay the system believes it is stationary. After entering your new address or doing whatever other advanced function, flipping the switch back will cause the map to start moving immediately. It does take a mile or two for the system to be back in the correct position however.

 

Note, on the RG-174 you have to keep the amount of unshielded area as small as possible. To help in this I used a very small (micro mini) switch. Cut the coax, cut the sheath back about 1/4", pull all the shield around to one side, and then cut the center insulator back as close to the shield as posssible. Once both are cut like that solder the shields together and leave just enough center conductor exposed to be able to solder it. To reduce unshielded area further I trimmed the terminals on the switch as well. There was enough cable length in Ford's factory install to put the switch on the left side of the glovebox. From the switch I had to use two wires that are long enough to get to the rear of the nav system to run the speed input through and connect it in where I cut pin 16.

 

I have yet to hear of anyone that can program the firmware on this unit to enable this, but there has to be someone out there that can do aftermarket custom firmware.

 

Next project - how to eliminate the requirement to the legal disclaimer and have to press the "agree" button every time it is powered up. I think in 40,000 miles we have probably pressed that button 500 times or more.