I’m making this post as a result of the numerous PMs and emails I have been receiving about this hack. Many have requested one concise set of instructions, others have asked for clarifications. Hopefully this will fulfill both needs.
DVD/NAV hack Instructions for ALL 2006 M models
Note that this post includes specifics for doing the combined DVD and NAV hack and mounting the switch in the M's coin holder. That position is not applicable to Premiums (but everything else here IS relevant). For a workable mounting position for premium M's and a good available DPDT switch, see this post. If you don't have DVD, or don't want the hacked DVD capabilities then the the wiring is simpler. In that case, follow all of the instructions in this post, but use the wiring info in this post.
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OMISSIONS OR ERRORS. VALIDATE THE FOLLOWING WITH ALL THE OTHER INFORMATION POSTED IN THIS THREAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK. Please post corrections and I will update this as necessary.
The Principles:
The basic concept is to simply 'fool' the system into thinking that the parking brake is engaged and that the car is not in motion.
When you're done with this hack, you'll have a two position switch. In the normal position (and only in the normal position) the Nav will work properly and track your car's movement (this position connects orange to orange/white and green to green/white, and is referred to below as "Position 1"). In the second switch position(which connects orange to ground), you'll have full access to all M controls while driving: entering any kind of destination, editing your address book, watching DVD's on the NAV screen (passengers only), lowering the rear MES DVD screen etc. When using NAV in the normal switch position, you can, at any time, hit the switch, enter a command, and hit the switch again, to restore normal NAV operation. In about 10 seconds or so the Nav will have relocated your current position, and all will be good. When NOT using Nav, you can leave the switch in the second position as long as you like, so passengers can see DVD's on the NAV screen.
Schematic complements of EdH1.
Recommended Tools
Phillips (No. 2)
Power Drill or ScrewDriver
Wire Cutter/Stripper (AWG 18 and AWG 22-need to confirm)
Soldering Iron
Exacto/Utility Knife
Crimper (Blue connectors)
Multimeter or voltage tester
Recommended Materials
Solder (electronic=silver/lead w/rosin)
1' heat shrink
12' Cat5 Cable
Closed/Spade Connector (blue)
DPDT Rocker Switch (On-On)
Electric Tape
Disassemble center console
Pull out the cup holder insert. Grab hold of the back portion of the console center behind the flip up door and pull it up and towards the front of the car. Remove the four screws holding the coin holder/seat heater switch abs. Pop out the connectors for the seat heater controls. Measure out your switch hole and drill out as necessary. Be sure to drill a small pilot hole and re verify your clearances.
Remove Glove Box
Remove the glove box door. Open the glove box then twist it so that you pull the left side toward you and push the right side forward. There are no clips on this part, so if you get the angle right it should come out without any force. Once you clear the left retaining ‘pin’, pop out the cable clip on the right side. By inserting a screw driver between the cable clip's 'washer' and the glove door. Q2M] Remove the glove box by removing the eight Phillips screws. There are two at the bottom of each side and four more across the top. Remove the three connectors: Glove box light, valet key ‘lock’, and one more. [Each connector has a single 'button' which when pressed will release the connector. Note that the trunk release may now cease to function until you reconnect the valet key connector.
Remove DVD Player
Remove the DVD player, by removing the four Phillips screws that hold the DVD player (they're the ones pointing straight up). These screws are torqued tight, and a power tool makes it easier, but it can be done without one. Disconnect all three cables from the back. The connector you'll be splicing into is one of these. (See pic below.)
Make the Connections
Open the sleeving that encloses the wires for the necessary connector.
Image complements of EdH1
Open from connector side and keep going until you hit the electric tape. Cut with wire cutters the two wires. Do NOT use scissors. Strip both ends of the wires. Make sure to cut at least two inches from the base of the connector to give yourself some room. Connect as follows:
Image complements of EdH1
Just remember that the Cat5 colors do not match the DVD connector colors.
Connector side:
Green to Cat5 Green
Pink to Orange
Harness side
Green to Cat5 White with Green Stripe
Pink to Cat5 White with Orange Stripe
Use solder and heat shrink tubing. Close up the sleeving including the Cat5. Cut a notch at the top of the sleeving for the Cat5.
Get back to the Console
Route the Cat5 down the back and then to the lower right side of the center console. Push it through the opening, pull it down and then tuck it under the right side of the console all the way to the cup holder. Pull it through and then pull out any slack. Measure out your Cat5 and cut to required length. Route wire through hole and solder to switch.
Take the Cat5 Green and Orange to the commons of the DPDT and the respective stripes to either throw1 or throw2. Same side for both, ie pick throw1 or throw2 for both [added 11/24]
The ground for the DVD then goes to the other throw. Using another 2 feet of Cat5, solder two wires to your ground connection. Crimp the same two wires on the other end to a closed or spade connector that will fit the ground bolt just below the cup holder position on the left side.[In my premium the grounded screw was on the right side (the passenger side). The screw on the left side wasn't grounded, so be careful. Using a volt ohm meter, you can confirm it's a grounded screw, by testing that the resistance between the screw and the metal glove box framing is less than 1 ohm. q2m]. Connect crimped wire to ground. Mount switch.
Connect DVD and TEST
Connect the DVD. Now test functionality as follows: ORANGE tests assure all brake connections are right. The GREEN tests assure VSS connections and GPS tracking is right. GREEN test will suffice if you're doing the Nav hack Only. Doing the tests in this fashion can help you isolate any errors. Before you begin, use your ohmmeter to determine which switch position is "Position 1". Put one ohmmeter probe on the switch terminal with the green wire, and other probe on the terminal with the green-white wire. The switch will be in in "Position 1" when there are about 0 ohms to 3 ohms across that circuit.
Some ohmmeters will show "0.L" or "-----" for INFINITE resistance (That would mean no connection, and it would NOT be "Position 1". To be sure what your ohmmeter says for infinite resistance, take a look at the display when the probes are not connected to anything, but when the ohmmeter is setup for measuring Ohms.)
Test ORANGE connections with car in PARK
With parking break
DISENGAGED:
Switch in Position 1 (OK if): DVD Video DISABLED
Switch in Position 2 (OK if): DVD Video ENABLED
With parking break
ENGAGED:
Switch in Position 1 (OK if): DVD Video ENABLED
Test GREEN connections while DRIVING
Switch in Position 1 (OK if): Destination > Points Of Interest DISABLED
Switch in Position 2 (OK if): Destination > Points Of Interest ENABLED
[This section on testing by q2m, last edit: 10/20/06]
Disconnect DVD. Remount and reconnect. Test one more time.
Replace abs plastic, replace cup holder.
Replace glove box door.
When you flip the switch, you get DVD while in motion but lose sat tracking.
Enjoy.
I will update and add pictures to this post shortly. I’ll be ‘helping’ two other SoCal forum members the first weekend of December at my house. One car will be a premium trim so we will add instructions (if significantly different) for ashtray switch mount.
If you are still confused, you should consider not doing this hack....
Note that all disclaimers apply. Anyone following any direction in any of these hack threads cannot hold FA or the posters especially me! liable for any damages incurred to their vehicles, any properties, or any creatures; living or deceased.
Now, I’m taking this thread off my favorites list, and will try to ignore all the PMs and emails regarding this mod.…all the information is in this thread now, really.
Note: Ohmster is kidding here, and anyone will get all their questions answered if asked. Have no fear; Ask away; And if you have a need to do it with a PM, feel free to send them to me.
q2m
[Yes, I was kidding and I'm still taking PM's.
2/9/06 Ohm]
