DIY: All NAV Functions All The Time without Firmware Downgrade!

[StatCoder]

I installed Wile E's Speed Pulse Generator this afternoon. First of all, he shipped it off via USPS right away on the same day I ordered it. The installation instructions came via email. Initially, I felt that the stock restrictions on the nav functions while moving were only slightly inconvenient, however, the restrictions always come into play when you are wanting to use your nav the most. Trips would be so much easier if your passenger could quickly pull up info about the town ahead. The whole point of having a nav is not to have to pull over to look at a map.

It took several hours - mostly due to my ineptitude at taking apart the dash and at soldering. Also, I was going very slow, trying real hard not to screw something up on my truck. What I didn't understand is that these modern dash parts are just clipped in so you just work something into the edges of the pieces that won't scratch the finish like a nylon pry tool. I found the Metra dash disassembly instructions rather cryptic and not really very helpful. Once I located the four 10mm bolts that hold the nav in (all are on the bottom), I managed to lose one in the dash and spent a lot of time hunting for it to no avail. If it rolls around back there too much, I'm going to have to pull apart the console to find it.

Once I actually got the nav out the instructions provided were crystal clear about what wire to cut and what goes where. I don't know much about electronics so I appreciated the detailed instructions about what kind of switch to get and exactly where to connect to get a 12v current and ground. Those wires are about as small as you can imagine. I find soldering inside my truck pretty hairy. I'm proud to say no burned leather, no melted plastic dash parts and only one small second degree burn.

I didn't find a satisfactory place to put a switch because the obvious control blanks on the dash are functionally smaller than they look. They also would be a royal pain patch up or replace. I'm thinking that I end up using the hidden shelf right above the cigarette lighter & power outlet (point the switches down). There's plenty of space to put switches and, eventually, a video-in for my portable DVD player. The switch mounts and any screw-ups will be hidden from view. I chose smaller switches at Radio Shack because I found the regular automotive ones were too big for my taste.

Everything worked perfectly after I got the dash back together. With SPG switched on, your location marker on the nav doesn't move smoothly. All you need to do, though, is to keep the SPG off. When you want to use the turned-off nav controls while moving, just switch the SPG on and choose your destination or whatever. Then switch it off. Very convenient.

This is a great mod. Well worth doing. Now I'm anxiously awaiting instuctions about how to enable video input when the truck is in motion.

My switch placement just in case anyone cares. It's a Radio Shack SPDT switch.

[hihocarp]

I too just finished installing the spg and it works great. It is a little jumpy but I will keep it switched off until I need to use it. I drilled a hole into the front of my counsel & mounted the switch in there so it's out of the way. I really like the fact that when we are travelling my wife can look up hotels,resturants etc. This is a great mod, thanks Wile E.

[Heatwave3]

For those of you that have installed Wilee's Speed Pulse Generator (SPG) to override the Factory GPS limitations I have a few questions. Maybe others might be able to help even if you haven't done the install. I'm installing this SPG unit in an 08 Sequoia however the dash and GPS wiring are nearly identical to the 07/08 Tundra.

I received Wilee's SPG and picked up a black 15amp 125V AC spdt rocker switch (3 terminals on the back). I’m planning to install it horizontally in the upper center of the plastic housing that has the cigarette lighter on the left and the accessory outlet on the right (this is the plastic housing just below the climate controls in the center console of the dash on the Tundra/Sequoia). My thinking is that there’s plenty of space behind the plastic housing in that location to handle the cutout, switch and wiring. It also will allow me have the rocker set to normal GPS operation when “rocked” to the driver side and override the GPS for phone and direction entries when “rocked” to the passenger side. Let me know if you think I’ve missed something in the placement of the switch as I haven't done any cutting yet.

I have a few questions I was hoping others on this forum could help me with before I start cutting anything.

1. The picture I received from Wilee of the speed sensor wire plug going into the Nav unit is slightly different from the one in the Sequoia. Essentially the Sequoia speed sensor plug has an additional red wire going into the same gray plug that does not exist on the Tundra's plug. Is this red wire going into the speed sensor related to the rear camera or the rear entertainment? Is the center white wire still the right wire to tap into for the SPG?

2. Is there any advantage to using the power from either the accessory plug below the climate control or the cigarette lighter? The cigarette lighter wires are the same color in the Tundra as the ones in my Sequoia (a gray wire and a white wire with a black stripe). Does anyone know which of the 2 wires is the ground and which comes from the 12v ignition? I assume the white wire is the hot lead and the gray wire is the ground, but I thought I'd check here to confirm. (after further checking the white wire with black stripe goes to the outside of the accessory plug housing and is therefore the ground. The lighter uses the sames white wire with black stripe which should make it the ground to the lighter plug as well.)

Thanks again for your assistance with these questions. I also sent these same questions to Wilee however I thought maybe someone else might have experienced the same questions and found the answers.

[StatCoder]

I used the cigarette lighter because I think it's only on when the ignition is on while the accessory plug is on for ten minutes or something after the ignition is turned off. I believe the gray wire is the hot lead. When I looked at the accessory plug, it looked like the white/black stripe was hooked up to the outside part of he receptacle (ground) and the colored one (can't remember the color) was hooked to the tip (hot). So, I figured the cigarette lighter must be the same way. I lost the leads to my multimeter so I had to go with that and it worked. I'll be taking a look at again, tonight, and will correct this message if I'm wrong. [this is confirmed]

[wileetundra]

I had answered Heatwave3's questions via email but here are the answers for anyone that might be wondering...

His switch type and location is a great idea, I have seen others use the same location. I specifically like the orientation of the switch to remind you which mode it is in (enabling the functions for the passenger vs. normal driving mode).

The red wire on the 5-pin NAV plug is only in the CrewMax and other vehicles which have the rear seat entertainment option. It is a parking brake signal which tells the NAV when the brake is on, which is one of the factors that controls whether or not you can see DVD video on the front screen while in motion. This wire is not used for the SPG install.

I don’t have a rear seat entertainment system so I can’t say for sure, but I believe that the SPG will not enable DVD video on the front screen while in motion. The SPG sends a pulse which fluctuates between 0 and 1 kmph. I think even 1 kmph is enough to make the front video shut off, so the video will probably display for a short bit (2-4 seconds) when the SPG is enabled and in the 0 kmph phase of the pulse, but then the video will flicker off briefly with each 1 kmph portion of the pulse. Also, something sounds wrong in Heatwave3's testing since it normally takes more than a 0 speed pulse to show DVD video on the front. You also have to set the parking brake in most vehicles, so many people bypass the parking brake by hacking the red wire with a switch or permanently grounding the NAV portion of the red wire. If his video does come on and doesn’t flicker when the SPG is enabled and he is in motion then I would be curious to see if he has any other mods installed, particularly if he tampered with the red wire. Make sure to test the SPG in bypass mode for more than 30-45 seconds to be sure it is working. If you totally disconnect the SPG and factory speed wire your functions will be unlocked for up to 30 seconds before the NAV unit realizes no pulse is present and switches to the GPS signal for motion detection and locks the functions back again. This has happened to a few people that hooked it up wrong, and if so then your video might display briefly on the front, but normally you would also have to hack the brake wire.

[fasteddiefire]

Just got my SPG installed yesterday. Wilee you are the man! It works great, "especially since my wife loves to leave her phone hooked up to the bluetooth." I mounted the switch in a blank spot to the left of the steering column. I like it since it is out of view there. Learned how to solder doing it and figure the DVD hack will be have to be next. Included a pic in case anyone needs ideas on where to put it

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by wileetundra

I had answered Heatwave3's questions via email but here are the answers for anyone that might be wondering...

His switch type and location is a great idea, I have seen others use the same location. I specifically like the orientation of the switch to remind you which mode it is in (enabling the functions for the passenger vs. normal driving mode).

The red wire on the 5-pin NAV plug is only in the CrewMax and other vehicles which have the rear seat entertainment option. It is a parking brake signal which tells the NAV when the brake is on, which is one of the factors that controls whether or not you can see DVD video on the front screen while in motion. This wire is not used for the SPG install.

I don’t have a rear seat entertainment system so I can’t say for sure, but I believe that the SPG will not enable DVD video on the front screen while in motion. The SPG sends a pulse which fluctuates between 0 and 1 kmph. I think even 1 kmph is enough to make the front video shut off, so the video will probably display for a short bit (2-4 seconds) when the SPG is enabled and in the 0 kmph phase of the pulse, but then the video will flicker off briefly with each 1 kmph portion of the pulse. Also, something sounds wrong in Heatwave3's testing since it normally takes more than a 0 speed pulse to show DVD video on the front. You also have to set the parking brake in most vehicles, so many people bypass the parking brake by hacking the red wire with a switch or permanently grounding the NAV portion of the red wire. If his video does come on and doesn’t flicker when the SPG is enabled and he is in motion then I would be curious to see if he has any other mods installed, particularly if he tampered with the red wire. Make sure to test the SPG in bypass mode for more than 30-45 seconds to be sure it is working. If you totally disconnect the SPG and factory speed wire your functions will be unlocked for up to 30 seconds before the NAV unit realizes no pulse is present and switches to the GPS signal for motion detection and locks the functions back again. This has happened to a few people that hooked it up wrong, and if so then your video might display briefly on the front, but normally you would also have to hack the brake wire.

I just installed the Wilee Speed Pulse Generator to override the Toyota GPS restrictions on my 2008 Sequoia when underway. Works great. Flip the switch and you can access the phone capabilities and destination searches as if you were stopped. I installed the switch just above the cigarette lighter but underneath the ledge. 2007 Toyota Tundra Installation Report by WileETundra

I used a rocker switch (NTE 54-048 15amp, 125v AC SPDT) that is "rocked" to the driver's side for normal operation and rocked to the passenger side to override Toyota's "nanny controls". This is a somewhat difficult placement for the switch because the spade terminals on the back of the switch need to be made level with the back of the switch instead of standing straight up due to clearance issues. I just bent them down by hand. If you decide to use this placement for the switch, I recommend placing it as far to the driver's side as you can make your opening. A smaller rocker might not have the clearance issue.

Placement of switch works very well since its easy to find in the dark and easy to interpret from feel as to which position its in. Also easy for the front passenger to activate when needed.

Best $50 investment you can make. Thank you Wilee....

[wileetundra]

Very clean install Heatwave3, thanks for sharing the pic. This is a perfect example of why I don't include the switch with the device. Everyone has their own preference for location and toggle style.

And for anyone that still needs a NAV SPG device: I am making another batch right now. The cost went up slightly to $55 because Google Checkout now charges me a small fee to process the payments. Payment is free for the buyer but the seller has to pay a fee, which I don't mind since their fees are lower than Paypal and their policies are better, and everyone has to stay in business somehow. Just PM me with your email address and I will send you a payment invoice from Google Checkout.

[kt8509]

Will this work with a non-nav unit? I have a CM Ltd with the JBL / Bluetooth system and while in motion when the phone rings, the display shows "No Name" vs. the Caller ID (it shows the Caller ID when the truck is stopped).

Thanks!

[wileetundra]

Originally Posted by kt8509

Will this work with a non-nav unit? I have a CM Ltd with the JBL / Bluetooth system and while in motion when the phone rings, the display shows "No Name" vs. the Caller ID (it shows the Caller ID when the truck is stopped).

Thanks!

Are you sure it is the motion which is changing the Caller ID function? If so then I think the SPG should work. The factory wiring harnesses are usually the same so you should be able to check the plugs behind your radio to make sure. Look for the 5-pin white flat connector with a white and green wire in it, and maybe a red wire as well. If you have that then it should work.

[kt8509]

Originally Posted by wileetundra

Are you sure it is the motion which is changing the Caller ID function? If so then I think the SPG should work. The factory wiring harnesses are usually the same so you should be able to check the plugs behind your radio to make sure. Look for the 5-pin white flat connector with a white and green wire in it, and maybe a red wire as well. If you have that then it should work.

Yeah, pretty sure. From the owners manual, page 380:

"When receiving a phone call, the display is as follows. The display differs depending on whether or not the vehicle is in motion.

When the vehicle is stopped: Number, name, or “Incoming” is displayed.
When the vehicle is in motion: “Incoming“ is displayed."

I haven't ripped out the dash to get to the back of the radio yet... maybe this weekend. Do you happen to have any SPG's left?

Thanks.

[wileetundra]

Originally Posted by kt8509

Yeah, pretty sure. From the owners manual, page 380:

"When receiving a phone call, the display is as follows. The display differs depending on whether or not the vehicle is in motion.

When the vehicle is stopped: Number, name, or “Incoming” is displayed.
When the vehicle is in motion: “Incoming“ is displayed."

I haven't ripped out the dash to get to the back of the radio yet... maybe this weekend. Do you happen to have any SPG's left?

Thanks.

OK, then I am certain that it is using the speed pulse signal and thus the SPG will work fine. I just made another batch of SPGs today. PM me with your email address and I will send you an invoice.

[Joe.B]

Wileetundra,
A question for you as I try to get the speed pulse generator working in my Camry 2007 Hybrid. I have a VAIS SL2Vi installed and the video ipod plays on the NAV just fine when the car is stopped or parked. The NAV pin for the parking brake had to be grounded to show video at all, even stopped/parked. But once that was done it works fine.

As you described in prior postings, once the car starts moving, the video soon stops. I first cut the speed sensor wire (pin 3 of the 5 pin connector) and brought it out to a switch so it could be turned on (factory setting) or off (cut speed wire to NAV). When the car is moving and the video stops, flipping the switch (cut the speed wire) allowed the video to come back on for a minute or so before it cut off again - just as you posted previously. With that as background, I got your SPG and set it up as directed to solve the problem.

After installing the SPG tonight, a test drive showed the speed pulses (in the diagnostic screen on the NAV) slowly clicked on while the mph alternated between 0 and 1. So it seems to be set up and working properly. However, funny stuff happens with the screen when going to the video. When the SPG is activated the screen flips between the video and the map display and back again repeatedly. each one is on for just a few seconds before repeatedly changing to the other screen. Any ideas on what's happening?
Joe

[Crewmadmax]

I don't know if I am hooking this up right.

I don't know if this matters, but I bought a 30amp switch and hooked my wires to it.

It has 3 prongs on the back in which I hooked the wires accordingly.

prong #1- NAV wire cut going to ECU

middle prong #2- green wire from SPG

prong #3- NAV wire cut going to harness that plugs into back of NAV

Red wire to + cigarette lighter
Black wire to - cigarette lighter

The first night I drove around it worked(kinda), but it wouldn't turn off. I was doing about 30 mph in my neighborhood.

Also, I chose an address while doing 30mph and it came up, but when I tried to choose one of the 3 routes it wouldn't do anything. I tried choosing all 3 routes and it didn't go to another screen.

I tried turning it off while driving around, but it wouldn't switch back to normal.

Now it won't work at all. Any ideas or did I even hook this up right?

[RC_Av8r]

Originally Posted by Crewmadmax

I don't know if I am hooking this up right.

I don't know if this matters, but I bought a 30amp switch and hooked my wires to it.

It has 3 prongs on the back in which I hooked the wires accordingly.

prong #1- NAV wire cut going to ECU

middle prong #2- green wire from SPG

prong #3- NAV wire cut going to harness that plugs into back of NAV

Red wire to + cigarette lighter
Black wire to - cigarette lighter

The first night I drove around it worked(kinda), but it wouldn't turn off. I was doing about 30 mph in my neighborhood.

Also, I chose an address while doing 30mph and it came up, but when I tried to choose one of the 3 routes it wouldn't do anything. I tried choosing all 3 routes and it didn't go to another screen.

I tried turning it off while driving around, but it wouldn't switch back to normal.

Now it won't work at all. Any ideas or did I even hook this up right?

I think it depends on your switch. I would use a multimeter to see how the switch operates but lets assume that it is a standard switch. Then the center pole is your common. It will be connected to poll 1 when the switch is in one position or it will be connected to poll 3 when in the other position.

There is no way for me to know with out looking at you specific set up but it sounds like the Nav input should be on the center (#2). In one switch position it will be connected to the ECU like factory normal but in the other position it would be disconnected from the ECU and connected to the pulse generator.

Hope that helps,

Dave

AGAIN, PLEASE TEST MY THEORY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING. Also get Wilee's confirmation on this. I can not tell what is what with out putting your switch on a meter.