Fitting double din headunit

[Craikeybaby]

When I first got my MR2 I replaced the stock headunit with a single din Alpine unit that I pulled out of my old MX-5. Fastforward a few years and I've got a spare Alpine CarPlay headunit I can fit.

I think I've sussed out where I am going to put the mic - in the coin holder, but it also needs a feed from the handbrake switch. Which should go into the ISO connector. Does the MR2 have this feed?

[gazza1286]

The simplest solution would be to remove the central console and feed the signal wire from the handbrake switch under the carpeting.

[Craikeybaby]

I've found an even simpler solution! I'm going to fit a "fake handbrake switch" in the glove box. If I was using a UK headunit, I would be able to connect that line to ground. However, I'm using a US model, so the headunit needs to see the handbrake being engaged/disengaged before I can go into the settings menus and pair phones etc. As I won't need to do that very often, a switch in the glovebox will be fine.

[gazza1286]

There's stuff on YouTube about disabling this feature which may help:-


 m https://youtu.be/WkBkBV52WF0 m

[Craikeybaby]

That only works with the EU head units, I'm running a US model (beggars can't be choosers). The US models need to see the handbrake go on, then off again, before considering it truly off. I guess the regulators got wise to people just connecting it to ground. There are some modules for sale on US eBay to get around this for various brands of head unit, but the postage costs more than the module.

On a more positive note, I found out that the head unit cuts the power to the antenna when it isn't set as an AMFM source, so no more comedy antenna!

[beavisrules]

delay off timer might work?
 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-Delay- ... EAppGQaCAg m

[Craikeybaby]

That does look like it would do the job, thanks.