Handbrake wire > DVD HU

[JiMR2]

Hey all,

Purchased this HU;

 m http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/produc ... oduct.html m

namely so i can use my iPhone with it as i've tons of music on there - love it or hate it - i no longer want to mess around with CDs.

Anyways, to be able to use the DVD function you need to hook one of the HU's cables up to the parking brake wire - so you can only use the unit when the handbrakes up - rightly so.

After searching both here and SC it turns out that you can just use a clamp connector on any ground wire and that will trick the unit into thinking that the parking brake is up. Meaning a) i wont have to tear the centre console out to get to the wire and b) ill be able to use the DVD even when driving (Not that i plan to - for obvious reasons!).

Now, is this illegal? Im aware that driving with the dvd going would be illegal AND stupid. But having it wired up this way so its always able to be used, is that illegal? Numerous posts/sites state it is - in the states.

I dont want to cut corners if its going to break the law.

Thanks in advance...

Jim

[Anonymous]

It will imo be illegal as it will allow the dvd player to operate with the handbreak off.

[uktotty]

Mine has a switch!

[The Lum]

What's illegal is having moving images visible to the driver. Simple solution is don't play movies while you drive. Also if you do wire it to the hand brake I am fairly sure that there will be a setting on the DVD player to over ride that anyway and play all the time. The last 3 I had (Ripspeed, Alpine & Pioneer) had that feature.

[JiMR2]

It will imo be illegal as it will allow the dvd player to operate with the handbreak off.

thats what i was slightly worried about - i dont want to flaunt the law - especially as id not ever use the dvd player function whilst driving (Thats just asking for a smash up!). It'd be sods law to NOT wire it up to the brake, have an accident of some sort then find out that due to the way it'd been wired in, void the insurance (Worse case scenario i know i know  s:) s:) )

How easy is it to remove the plastic trim around the gear stick/handbrake so that i can clamp connect the cable to the handbrake wire?

[uktotty]

Its a fairly easy task to wire it in to the handbrake, I just used a splice crimpy thing
I do also have a switch to overide this if I want to.

[JiMR2]

does the gear/brake surround need to be removed to get to the wire or can you find it further up near the centre console?

[uktotty]

IIRC
I removed the centre console, but the wire is just in the opening of the handbrake so may be able to connect from above.
To remove the centre console you need to remove the 4 bolts from each seat and remove the seats.

[uktotty]

Like this

[JiMR2]

oh wow... if its a case of removing seats etc i think i may well just hook it up to a ground and fit a switch in...

thought it would be a pain but not THAT much of a pain... whats the official name of those clips UKT? Clamp connectors or???

[Jigwar]

How easy is it to remove the plastic trim around the gear stick/handbrake so that i can clamp connect the cable to the handbrake wire?

Unscrew the gear knob, remove 4 screws on centre console, and you're in. Simples. Surely better than taking the risk.

IMO

Steve

[uktotty]

Yeah but dont you need to move the seats out of the way to get to the 2 rear screws in the console?

Those clips are called "InLine Spices" if my memory serves

[muffdan]

spices or splices?

[uktotty]

LOL!!!

[SimonC_Here]

oh wow... if its a case of removing seats etc i think i may well just hook it up to a ground and fit a switch in...

thought it would be a pain but not THAT much of a pain... whats the official name of those clips UKT? Clamp connectors or???

But seat removal is only 4 bolts and a clip each. Really not difficult to do.