Hi Everyone,

I have an AVIC Z2 installed in my 2002 Volvo XC. The software bypass is installed and working great. I have a toggle switch installed under my dash that I have to use to swich between day and night operations. My partner has a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The factory installed navigation system switches between day and night operations automatically. It also switches when going through tunnels. Does anyone know of a photocell switch that I can use to replace the toggle switch?

Thanks,

Kevin

It sounds like you connected the illumination wire to a switch rather than to your headlight circuit. This wire, if connected to the headlight switch circuit, automatically switches between day and night when your headlights are turned on or off.

I don't think I follow very well...

What are you trying to achieve? Are you wanting it to stay in "night mode" regardless of what time of day or just want it to respond correctly to the automatic lights... IE switch to night mode when going under a tunnel?

Either way, you don't need a photocell for it....

If you're wanting it to change into night mode when going under the tunnel, you just need to find the right wires to tap into... usually behind the light switch that changes the car to auto/on/off...

You should be able to accomplish this with your Volvo as well... No need for a switch... Maybe an installer can chime in for specifics... But it sounds like your wiring isn't exactly correct to me....

I do know that there are a couple of ML install post on this forum... as I was searching for GL specific post, which should carry over... dependant on year... but it may help you...

Thank you for the the replys...

My headlights stay on constantly. I would like my AVIC Z2 to automatically switch to night mode when it gets dark or when I enter a tunnel; swich to day mode during the day or when I exit a tunnel.

Thank you for the the replys...

My headlights stay on constantly. I would like my AVIC Z2 to automatically switch to night mode when it gets dark or when I enter a tunnel; swich to day mode during the day or when I exit a tunnel.

Do your instrument cluster lights stay on all the time too?

I know that my mother's Merc SL is programmed to have her headlights on all the time as well, but with her switch set to auto, the cluster/dash lights don't come on until nighttime, which is controlled by the factory/built-in photocell... Dependant on where you tapped in for the illumination, your dealer may can solve this with a simple re-program?

I have a 2004 Volvo XC90 with a Z1, and am also looking for a place to tap into. The headlights are always on, but the instrument cluster does illuminate only at night. Where can I tap into to connect the illum wire?

Thank you for the the replys...

My headlights stay on constantly. I would like my AVIC Z2 to automatically switch to night mode when it gets dark or when I enter a tunnel; swich to day mode during the day or when I exit a tunnel.

Hum.. this sounds intresting.

I too live in a country where cars has constant driving lights all day.

It should be possible to make a adjustable automatic lightsensitive switch. Let me think on this for a few days and I'll see if I can come up with something (if there is not a unit already out there that do this)...

I'm working with electronics daily, and I know of a ligtsensitive resistor (LDR) and this could be connected to a curcuit with a small relay that switches on at a specific amount of lights on the component.

As mentioned before, photocell for house lights works this way, but they operate on 230v AC (in my country at least). But we want a curcuit that works on 12v DC.

Thanks Guys,

As far as I know, the instrument cluster stays on constantly too. I'll pay closer attention to it, but I'm sure the cluster stays on...

I'll pay more attention to by partner's Benz E-class as well, but so far, I'm impressed. When you enter a tunnel or whenever it gets dark, the instument panel comes on, the NAV/radio switches to night mode and special low-lit interior lights come on. It all switches back when you exit a tunnel or when it gets bright outside...

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions on this matter. Again, thanks!

Kevin

I installed a radio in my wife's c-class that has the headlights on all of the time. I actually tapped the wire that illuminates the ring around the cigarette lighter (which is conviently close to where the radio is), as that only comes on at night/in the dark.

Just a thought, I don't know how the inside of the Volvo is set up, but this may be easier than pulling the instrument cluster to find that wire..

Jason

I checked and all the lights stay on...

To XC90 owners:

im not familiar with the car very much, does it have any light in the headlight that goes on at night time but is not a turn signal? ie:

this is for an RX-8, but that little light being pointed to turns on when i hit the switch, but doesnt blink.....good spot for an ILL wire.

or as i skimmed down i saw the Cig Light bulb, which is another good option

The OP is looking for something that will handle the switching of day <-> night automatically. If the Volvo doesn't have automatic headlights (my mom's 2006 S60 doesn't), you'll need to add a photocell to accomplish that.

Here's something to get you started.

I find it hard to believe the Volvo has NO light that only comes on in the dark, that sounds very strange.

Anyhow, you can use an automatic headlight kit. GM and Ford both offer universal kits. I think the GM kit was $35 several years ago. Not sure on the Ford kit.

FYI, the F-Series switches automatically based in the ambient light, so if you can't find another solution and it's that portabt to you,upgrading to the F-Series would work.

I'm not sure that would really be considered an upgrade.

Gnat, have you seen the newest available hacks? for sure the F series can be considered an upgrade now lol

*Key beeps can be removed

*Annoying boxes on the map screen can be removed

*clock color can be changed

also according to one european owner, the european version of the 2nd update has been released and the boot time is now about 30 second to full boot

That's all pretty cool, I really like the configurable clock color/size. However, the F-series still has some problems, some that might not ever be fixed:

• 
  [*:1vr7xb6j] Z-has bright 7" LCD viewable in all lighting conditions vs. 5.8" LCD that is barely visible in daytime.
  [*:1vr7xb6j] 20-30 seconds before sound can be heard. Z-series plays sound immediately, at least iPod and radio, not sure about CD.
  [*:1vr7xb6j] Very slow boot time.
  [*:1vr7xb6j] No "pointer always up" on 2D map display.

Also, the Z-series key beeps can be removed via settings and there are no annoying boxes on the map screens.

Probably worst thing to me is the screen. I need a nice big one for viewing movies and TV shows on my lunch break. Too bad there's no US version of the AVIC-ZH9000.

So back to the original topic....

My instrument panel in the Volvo XC90 comes on at night, but the headlights are always on. The fuse box has nowhere to tap into the instrument panel fuse, because it is shared (I think).

Does a photocell make sense here?

If the instrument panel only comes on at night, just tap into an instrument panel wire as someone else mentioned earlier. I wouldn't be surprised if there's one on the factory radio connector.

A photocell by itself won't do anything as it's just a variable resistor. It needs additional circuitry. Easiest way if you want to go that route is get an automatic headlight kit and use it to just control the illumination on the HU.