I did a mod that allows moving NAV input. It'll work on a coupe. It works on a roadster but creates a fault code (I have a roadster). The speed signal to the NAV control unit comes from the unified meter. I interrupted the signal coming out of the unified meter and attached a switch. When moving, if i throw the switch (break the circuit), the NCU thinks I stopped and allows full input. When I throw the switch again (close the circuit) the NAV picks up my location and speed and off we go.

I chose to after the wire up front from the unified meter because it's easier to get to and that is where it has to end up. A microswitch under the a/c controls would be ideal and it's all right there (the wires from the a/c controls run the the unified meter aka the a/c amplifier/unified meter)

There is a problem with the roadster though. The speed signal splits and goes to the soft top control unit and the passenger seat control unit. Both of these are only on the roadster and keep the top from operating when the car is moving. I didn't think that was a big deal as in the 10 years I've owned convertables I have yet to have the desire to operate the top while moving! Tops are expensive. Turns out that in the rodster, the soft top control unit gets 2 speed inputs from the unified meter. When one is interrupted it generates a fault code, the soft top warning light flashes and the top won't operate. Turn the car off and on again and it all goes away and the top operates. I've been trying to avoid pulling apart the big long panel in the back. It looks like it has a zillion clips! but that looks like tomorrow's project.

Here's what I did today for any coupe owners that would like to do it.

**1. Remove MT boot - just pry up from the back with a taped flat screwdriver, or grab the back of the silver ring and pull up.
**2. There is a ribbon wire from the a/c controls to the unified meter (you can't miss it, it sits below the head unit and is a white rectangular thing). Remove the 2 screws that hold the unified meter in place.
**3. Free up the harness a bit so that you can move the unified meter out a bit.
**4. There are 3 connectors in the back of the unified meter. Remove the middle one. (there is a locking tab that you depress and pull off the connector or push it off with a screwdriver.
**5. The wire with the speed signal (34) is white with a green stripe running longitudinally. When you look at the connector it is on the bottom row, third from the right.
**6. Free up the wire (unwrap some of the black electrical tape like stuff) and cut it. I used telephone wire connectors from radio shack to connect a wire to each of the cut ends. You don't have to strip any wire, just place the 2 ends to be spliced and clamp down on the connecter with a pair of pliers.
**7. Attach a switch to the 2 wires.
sorry I was away from home and didn't have my digital camera but can get pics of it.
rich

 

I dont have a NAv system, but would like to know what you are talking about? What does your trick do?

 

God info, thanks. I assume you mean the digital multimeter thing above the screen is the unified meter?

The factory NAV cuts out being able to operate it after you get above like 2mph. IE, if you are entering an address or something at a stoplight and you need to put in 2 more digits but have to move you are out of luck. Or if you wanted to look more stuff up by point of interest or the like. If you are moving it grey's it out and you can't enter anything. This mod tricks it into thinking you are stopped and thus all functions are available while you have it interupted. Then you flick the switch back so the nav gets all your speed info again.

It's lame how they did it because if you had a passenger they could be operating the NAV while you're driving just fine but it's not allowed from the factory. The other time is if you have to change where you are going and can't stop or are stuck in traffic or stoplights and you really just need to enter it quickly but can't. I had to pull over on the freeway a couple times just so I could enter in the info which I think is far more unsafe then being able to punch it in real fast at anytime.

 

sweet

 

The unified meter/ac amp sits BELOW the head unit. If you go after it you can't miss it. There is a ribbon connection from the ac controls to the unified meter a/c amp.
rich

 

This is great if you Can post Some pics of your switch and its placement that would be awesome.

Just to clarify, the instructions are for a coupe?

 

Has anyone figured this out and would like to update us?

Thanks

 

I did this and it works great. Night and day being able to input info while moving.

I didnt take pictures but would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Post them here for everyone to see.

 

I would love to start on this project. Please post any pictures of your after install along with some step by step instruction if possible. Thanks in advance.

 

Bump.

 

bump bump