There still seems to be much confusion on the security bypass. To help keep some pressure off of ducatiboy (so he can churn out those circuit boards for us!) ;) I'm throwing together a FAQ on the mod and other Z1 questions. Please add items to this thread and I'll add them to this first post.
Many thanks to Ducatiboy for his continued efforts to the Z1 and for finding many of these answers for the community through his constant testing.
Installation Manual:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pio/p ... Manual.pdf
Owners Manual:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pio/p ... Manual.pdf
1. Is there a reliable bypass for the touchscreen/dvd playback when the car is in motion?
***NOTE*** If your unit was made AFTER July 2006 look here: http://www.sminntech.com/z1flash.html
For prior to June 2006:
Yes! You must turn your lights on and off about 5 seconds after your unit starts to boot up. Specifically the illumination wire must go from 12v to 0v at the very first pioneer bootup screen (where the text is in the top left corner, before the big pioneer logo pops up.)
2. Does this bypass affect my warranty?
No, this bypass uses built in features of the unit with no hardware modifications. Now, if you fry you're unit trying to wire in an automated system you will of course void your warranty.
3. I've seen relay systems on ebay, do these work?
No offense against the ebay sellers, but these relays disconnect navigation components and disable certain features to make others work. There is a much easier method (see item 1) and much easier to install and perform.
4. How can I automate this bypass and will it work with auto headlights?
Yes! You can use either the TR7 method or ducatiboy's "headlight flasher" mod (recommended.) The first will cost you $25-50 depending on whether you unit an extra unit for autolights, or $25 for ducatiboys mod which works with or without autolights.
5. My wiring harness didn't come with an illumination wire output even though my factory stereo lights dimmed, what gives?
Your factory system probably used a pulsed voltage system for your OEM unit. For liability issues companies like metra do not port these wires as they will not work with aftermarket dimmer wires anyway. You have two options here: a. Find another dimmer wire, ie a +12v parking light output. b. Buy a TR7 or ducatiboy's flasher mod, they are designed to work with these pulsed circuits.
6. What do I do with the parking brake wire?
If you install an automated device like the TR7 or ducatiboy's flasher don't connect it to anything. You'll have a 100% unlocked Z1 plus full use of your parking brake. If you plan on flicking your headlights you can also let it float. If you want the stereo to act as it was intended hook up your brake line to the parking brake and use as intended, but keep in mind if you use the flasher trick and then set your parking brake you will have to turn your car off and on again to re-unlock the stereo. There is no reason to keep your parking brake wire grounded 24/7, it may cause error messages on your screen.
7. Can I still hook up the speed sense wire with the mod?
You can hook up everything as it was intended. The headlight flash mod bypasses all security features when the unit is wired properly, the only thing that will defeat the flasher mod is if you set the parking brake after you flash the illumination wire. This is why I recommend you leave the parking brake wire floating.
8. How do I order a ducatiboy mod and install it?
Look at the sticky's on top of this forum.
9. How do I program a TR7?
Look at the sticky on top of this forum.
10. What if I have problems installing or troubleshooting?
If you have problems programming the TR7, post in the sticky on top of this forum. If you have problems with ducatiboy's mod PM him! He cannot help you if you don't inform him of any problems. Most likely you have wired something incorrectly. When you PM or post about problems post as much detail as possible (ie wiring, pics if possible, vehicle type, etc.)
11. How do I figure out which wire in my car is the illumination wire?
Check www.the12volt.com they have wiring diagrams for most cars. If you can't find it there, post a topic and members will help you out.
12. Is the speed sense wire important to hook up?
Yes, it helps navigation accuracy and helps track your movement when it can't see the satellites, ie when you are in a tunnel.
13. Can I mount my antennas in the car?
You can but it's not recommended. Satellite antennas work best outside of your car.
14. I can control my XM/iPod adapter but I'm getting no sound, what gives?
You have your ipbus cables backwards, reverse them. If that doesn't work make sure your positive and ground wires to the XM unit are attached properly.
15. Will the unit read MP3's off DVD's?
No, but you can use Roxio's Creator 8.0 to create audio DVD's.
16. Is this unit multizone?
Yes, this unit can output a second zone simultaneously and has an optional second zone remote.
17. I'm getting echo on my bluetooth module, can this be remedied?
Yes, go into you volume options and turn the telephone volume down. Also try outputting the nav/tel sounds out of one set of speakers only. Trial and error is your best bet. Mic placement is also key. Most users are having good results by setting the volume at 3 bars.
18. How do the automated flasher mods get installed?
Look at the sticky's on top of this forum.
19. Is it possible that a future software update can disable the "flasher mod?"
It's very possible, only time will tell.
20. Does this mod work with other Pioneer models or other brands?
No, only with the AVIC-Z1
21. How was this mod found?
A member with the Z1 installed remote started his vehicle. Most remote start systems flash your parking lights, causing your illumination wire to flash as well. In doing so he found the Z1 unlock.
22. My speakers make a popping sound when turning on, why?
Your oem amp probably has a 5v turn on wire being fed 12v by the Z1. Get a voltage regulator.
23. I have buttons on my steering wheel, can I use them with the AVIC-Z1?
Yes. You have two options. Option A (recommended) buy a SWI-PS, it's a hardwired solution and works with most cars. Option B, if the SWI-PS doesn't work with your car or you want more commands buy an SWI-X and the Z1's option remote. You program the SWI-X with the Z1 remote and it maps steering wheel buttons to IR commands.
24. Where can I find a bluetooth adapter in stock? Where?!?! Answer me!!!
Bluetooth adapters seem to be hard to find right now due to low production and increased demand. Most people have received them in about 1-2 weeks by ordering them from crutchfield. Your order goes in and crutchfield ships them out as soon as they get them. I've only seen the crutchfield site show "in stock" one time since March so don't wait for it to say so. It seems like they get enough to fill backorders but not enough to post stock on their website.
25. How do I get pictures on the Z1 for bluetooth and backgrounds?
1. Put the pictures in a folder called "Pictures" on the root of the CD
2. Burn the CD with no multisession and make sure your finalize it, if you have a choice chose "Disc at Once."
3. Create 100MB of dummy data and put it on the CD's, NOT MP3's. You can use this utility to create dummy files http://mynikko.com/dummy/
4. If you want the image to fill up the screen for a background image set the resolution to 2592x1305.
26. Can I copy MP3's from a CD to the hard drive?
No. MP3's on CD can be played back from the DVD drive but cannot be copied to the hard drive. You can however convert your MP3's into standard CDDA format on a CD-R and then rip to the hard drive.
27. Do you have too much time on your hands?
Yes, yes I do.
Posted May 23, 2006 · 05:16 UTC#1