This Thread for Pioneer AVIC-D3 Installs.

Looks like I found the issue regarding the dimming, or lack thereof..from avic411.com

Your scenario about where to get an illumination tap is valid on most vehicles. But there are a few where tapping into a park light, etc just won't work either. We just went through this on a Lincoln LS. All the lights are multiplexed and have power to them at all times. It uses the ECM in conjunction with the GEM, REM, etc to control the lights. Once the computer sees a signal from the switch, it orders a module to ground the light being commanded. Therefore, you can't just hook into one of the lights. It always has power there and is just waiting for a ground. What we ended up doing was using a feed off the ash tray light. That was conventionally wired. We also had the same problem with a reverse signal. We never got that one resolved. Mulitplexing (aka twisted pair) is such a great idea, but it sure screws up conventional wisdom when it comes to these sorts of things.
 
good post, I dont have the dimming feature working on mine either. Ill give the ashtray light a try.
 
Update:
Crutchfields tech's confirmed the above post. They suggested tapping into a parking light wire, but per avic411, that wont work either. The cig lighter light appears to be the best option. They also said the amp turn on thump is caused by the Pioneer amp sending out a 12v signal to the amp, when it only needs 5 volts. They told me part number 276-1770 from Radio Shack would solve the problem. I'll take care of both of those issues later in the week..
 
One other thing..I used a promotional code found on avic411 to get XM Radio for a year for $77 paid upfront. The Navtraffic is only $3.99 extra when you get XM Radio. Loving the Satellite radio, the NavTraffic has proven useless thus far. No sensors/traffic input on the Maryland side of the Beltway. All the traffic info seems to be over on the Virginia side.
 
02V8Sport said:
this wa a ROYAL pain but its finished. I wouldnt recommend this job w/o a dremel and cutting disk. The NAV bezel had to be cut a lot just to get the AVIC-D3 to come through properly. Ill get better pics tomorrow when there is more light out.

QUOTE]

OK..question. How much did you cut from the bezel? I've cut ALL of the centersection out..all of it..but still cant get the Avic to come through. And once you cut away all you need to. Do you push the bezel onto the front of the avic? Or do you push it on from the back, and slide it all the way forward?

either way..I cant seem to get enough material off of the plate to get it onto the avic.

Help!
Click to expand...
 
you will need to make relief cuts into the 4 corners of the NAV bezel and possibly use a heat gun to expand the opening a bit.
 
Thanks. Did you slide the bezel onto the front, or from the back? Or does it matter?
 
had to slide onto the front, you wont be able to get the AVIC completely through the bezel.
 
The screns on the D series are actually pretty tough. I have a D1 in my diesel, and the screen sees a lot of abuse. Still works like a charm. I did have to recalibrate it once, as the calibration started drifting. quick 1 minute operation, and it was good to go.
 
Hey 02V8Sport,

Im not very versed in regards to the AVIC-D2 and navigation systems in general but i do want one and not really for the navigation capability but more for the look and all other functions(long time pioneer guy). Do u know if this will fit in the double din space of an 04' Navi w/o any modification(s)??? Where could i get a steering wheel control like the one u mention u already have(for 04-06 Navi)??? Also, do you know if it has the feature or could be wired to mute when reversing like my stock radio and does it have the speed volume adjustment feature or something similar??? Please LET ME KNOW WHATEVER U KNOW!!! Tks
 
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02V8Sport said:
good post, I dont have the dimming feature working on mine either. Ill give the ashtray light a try.
Click to expand...

Confirmed that the orange ashtray light wire works fine for the dimming. Its pretty cool..the nav drivers map display goes into a nighttime mode (sky has stars) when you turn your lights on now. :cool:
 
Found this link,

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?TID=41915

Which references the VSS wire being red/white, and easily located under the rear seat. Same as another post somewhere that referenced a red/white wire coming from the PCM by the glovebox as being the VSS wire.

Found the red/white wire inside of a wiring loom over on the passenger side under the rear seat. This particular loom was coming through a rubber gromet that appeared to lead into the lower part of the trunk area, or either under the car.

Tapped it, and got a pulse reading on the Avic. As I drove around, it received up to 17 "pulses" in the hardware section of the menu.

But after driving for around 8 miles or so, I never received any actual speed on the other menu where you check for speed pulse. After resetting the learning menu, it began to learn all over again, but never detected any speed from the "VSS" wire I thought I located. Eventually a messaged popped up saying that no VSS signal was detected, and the unit would continue learning in simple hybrid mode, same as before.

So..it appears the black ABS sensor wire is the only confirmed VSS wire that will work. And from what I read elsewhere on this site somewhere, its difficult to get to, located somewhere above the transmission and gas tank.
 
ok so i am going to be ordering an avic d3 within a day or two and came up with this list so far
1. avic-d3
2. Steering wheel interface
3. Wiring harness
4. Navigation Bezel for 00-02, is this available from team ford? does it require any modification?
5. Bluetooth adapter

Now i am not too keen on electronics so should i get this installed profesionally? Those of you who did it yourself would you say it was easy and got any tips? I know if i get it done profesionally i should try to have them not hook up the wire that stops you from changing nav points and watching dvds correct?

I also have a cd changer in the glove box and im assuming it will be useless with the new double din? i might be considering a multidisk changer to replace it would this allow me to play cds and have the nav working?

Thanks for your help guys im excited to be getting it and want to do it right.
 
bigpappy33 said:
ok so i am going to be ordering an avic d3 within a day or two and came up with this list so far
1. avic-d3
2. Steering wheel interface
3. Wiring harness
4. Navigation Bezel for 00-02, is this available from team ford? does it require any modification?
5. Bluetooth adapter

Now i am not too keen on electronics so should i get this installed profesionally? Those of you who did it yourself would you say it was easy and got any tips? I know if i get it done profesionally i should try to have them not hook up the wire that stops you from changing nav points and watching dvds correct?

I also have a cd changer in the glove box and im assuming it will be useless with the new double din? i might be considering a multidisk changer to replace it would this allow me to play cds and have the nav working?

Thanks for your help guys im excited to be getting it and want to do it right.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have the correct parts. I suggest going to www.avic411.com and search the D3 forum for a Crutchfield promo code/coupon code. I ended up paying $1200 or so for the D3, Bluetooth module, XM Radio/Navtraffic module, Ipod Cable, and wiring harness(thats free anyways I think). I was able to find the Pac-SW1 steering wheel adapter for about $30 less on Ebay.

The Nav Bezel is for 03+ LS's, and the only place I know of that carries that Bezel is teamfordparts.com. They even have the option for them to paint it the black 00-02 dash color for you.

It will require a fair amount of cutting with a dremel for it to fit. The cuts will be on the backside, so none of the cutting will be visible once it's installed. Once you get it, it will be obvious what will need to be cut away. Patience is key.

If you've never done an install before, I'd suggest letting a shop do this, or check on avic411.com and see if someone is near you that can assist. The D3 itself is fairly straightforward, but when you add in the bluetooth and other modules, it can get a bit tricky.

I do believe that changer will be useless for the Avic. If you want, you can get a Pioneer changer that the Avic can control. But with an Ipod connector, you can have an Ipod sitting in the glovebox and use the Avic to control up to 80gig(depending on your Ipod) of music..right at your fingertips.
 
lseguy said:
Found this link,

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?TID=41915

Which references the VSS wire being red/white, and easily located under the rear seat. Same as another post somewhere that referenced a red/white wire coming from the PCM by the glovebox as being the VSS wire.

Found the red/white wire inside of a wiring loom over on the passenger side under the rear seat. This particular loom was coming through a rubber gromet that appeared to lead into the lower part of the trunk area, or either under the car.

Tapped it, and got a pulse reading on the Avic. As I drove around, it received up to 17 "pulses" in the hardware section of the menu.

But after driving for around 8 miles or so, I never received any actual speed on the other menu where you check for speed pulse. After resetting the learning menu, it began to learn all over again, but never detected any speed from the "VSS" wire I thought I located. Eventually a messaged popped up saying that no VSS signal was detected, and the unit would continue learning in simple hybrid mode, same as before.

So..it appears the black ABS sensor wire is the only confirmed VSS wire that will work. And from what I read elsewhere on this site somewhere, its difficult to get to, located somewhere above the transmission and gas tank.
Click to expand...

Found this link (from another LVC poster..thanks)

http://www.carnavigationforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=61&sid=680e7e35036da39210080ebd06bb421c

Which references a red/white wire at the ABS sensor under the hood.

I found what appears to be an sensor just under the brake fluid reservoir, with a plug going into it, with a white/red wire present. Tapped into it, tested it. No dice.
 
How difficult was the install?

I have a 01 LS and i just got the d3 too, i have two questions. 1. did you find the speed sensor wire?, if so where did you connect it? thanks for the help!
 
Nope. No luck so far on finding and confirming a VSS wire. The best guess thus far is a black wire coming from the ABS Sensor in the rear of the car. I've yet to go that route though.

On a sidenote..Im not sure the VSS wire is required. The more my D3 learns, the more accurate it's getting. And it was already accurate to begin with.
 
this is what i got for a 01 ls
Speed Sense WHITE/RED (AC) PIN 13 AT PCM

ive read other posts that said its a white/red wire in the drivers kick in a black plug above the FEM (front electronics module) hope this helps ya out
 
Yeah, i actually spoke to a tech @pioneer, and he said the reason they discontinued the pulse generator is because the d3 learns the more you drive, so i guess you really don't need to connect the vss after all. But thanks for the help guys, i'm installing on saturday, cant wait!!!!
 
Oh..one other thing. Despite what the manual says, you dont need to connect the reverse wire (not to be confused with the parking brake wire) either, UNLESS you are using a backup camera.

And from experience, a backup camera in a car is pretty much useless. I found it to be distracting, and somewhat kept me from looking backwards..which of course meant I couldnt use my peripheral vision when backing (seeing out of the passenger side window, as well as the drivers side rear window, as well as the entire back glass) when parallellel parking.

I have the backup sensors from ebay installed in my LS, and I never even look at the display that shows how many feet left to impact. I only go by the sounds of the beeping.
 
Mexican3001 said:
this is what i got for a 01 ls
Speed Sense WHITE/RED (AC) PIN 13 AT PCM

ive read other posts that said its a white/red wire in the drivers kick in a black plug above the FEM (front electronics module) hope this helps ya out
Click to expand...

I was actually digging around up under the drivers kick last weekend, looking for a black wire that I read was the VSS wire. That FEM module has several plugs going to it, and it wont be easy getting to a plug ABOVE the FEM. It's tight under there, and Im thinking the only way to get to that plug, is to temporarily remove the FEM.
 
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