Timmbo & marctronixx
Thanks for the fast responses!
I finished the Mod on my 2012 QX56 earlier this week and it works perfectly!
Adding to the details that marctronixx stated above……For others who want to do this mod…Here is what I did…….
Please keep in mind that this is for the (2011-2012-2013) and perhaps beyond Infiniti QX 56.
I removed the factory radio to gain access to the wiring harness on the back of the head unit.
Please refer to the Factory Service Manuals for how to remove the dash/panels to gain access. Located Here:
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/ Thanks Timmbo!!
I used: AV.pdf – (Page 100) for the radio/nav wiring harness pin out diagram
IP.pdf – (Pages 15-19) for how to remove the dash panels – Thanks Marctronixx
I cut the speed sensor wire (Brown/White Stripe Wire) #82 and wired a $4 radio shack SPST relay switch in-line with this wire. I cut the parking brake wire (White Wire) #65 and just grounded the side from the radio. This makes the radio think the parking brake is always on. Don’t worry, the parking brake light will not stay lit on the dash unless you actually apply the parking brake. All parking brake function and lights work normally.
That’s it, after you put everything back together, you’re basically done!
Ok…there are 3 ways to actually do this…
First: The way I did outlined above, using the SPST switch in-line with the speed sensor and just grounding the parking brake. The advantage of this is that anytime the SUV is stopped, (mod relay on or off) you have access to the all nav controls and ability to watch the DVD. The possible disadvantage is that under a factory/dealer diagnostic test, the parking brake will always appear on from the radio’s perspective. Not even sure if this would ever be an issue or even show up under any diagnostic test, just something to think about….worth the possible trade-off for me.
I have used this method on 3 Armadas (2008, 2009 & 2011) and now on a QX56 (2012) – Works Perfectly!!!
Second: The next method of course is to use a DPDT switch in-line with both the speed sensor and parking brake. The advantage here is that you can technically switch the mod off and be completely back to factory condition on a diagnostic test. The disadvantage is that each time you stop; you still have to switch the relay to mod mode or actually apply the parking brake to watch a DVD.
Third: There are a few sellers on the Internet that sell a plug and play relay set that does not involve cutting any wires for about $300. However, I assume that you still have to pull the dash apart to gain access to the wiring harness. I have never used any of these, and quite frankly they seem way over priced given the fact that you still have to do most of the hard work just getting access to the needed wires/harness and then putting everything back together.
On a side note, there is a wire on the harness #81 (Reverse Signal). I was tempted to, but didn’t, wire a relay switch in line here to allow viewing of the exterior cameras while moving. Has anyone tried this??? If I push my camera button, I can view the cameras (Front/Sides), but they black-out at a speed over 7 MPH. At first, I thought I would not even have to do anything to this wire, and the cameras would be viewable at full speed just by toggling the speed sensor relay (wire #82). But for some reason, the cameras still go black at speeds over 7MPH, even if the speed sensor relay is switched to Nav/DVD mod mode…..Any thoughts????
On another side Note: After I put everything back together, and started up the QX56, my airbag light would continue to blink. I pulled everything back apart to see if the passenger airbag plug came loose, but everything was ok. I was very careful to work around the airbag, and had the battery negative terminal disconnected, so you can imagine, this drove me crazy for a couple of hours trying to trouble shoot the problem with no real success.
Then I came across info on another Armada forum saying that many times when you are working around the airbag sensors, even with the battery negative terminal disconnected, you may still need to reset the airbag warning light.
Since some of you guys here are new owners I thought I'd save you a trip to the dealer if you start modifying your armadas/Qx and run into this. I'm not sure what exactly set's it off (other than pulling things apart and tripping a sensor) but at some point you may end up with a flashing airbag sensor light. Here is how to reset it yourself.
1. Turn the key from off to on.
2. Watch the airbag light closely. It will stay on for a few secs. and then as soon as it blinks off (the start of the flashing), turn the key off instantly.
3. Count to 5 (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi . . . .)
4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times until you have done the cycle three times.
5. Now turn the key on and watch the light. It will start blinking in a different, slower manner. This is diagnostic mode. You can watch this for a little while, no hurry.
6. Now turn the key off again, Count to 5 like in step 3 again, and turn back on. If the procedure worked, the airbag light will not be flashing.
I didn’t think it would, but it Worked!!!!! and I have not had any problems since!!
This procedure may work with other Nissan & Infiniti vehicles as well.
Don’t worry, if there is a real problem with your airbag system, the light will continue to blink.
PS - Timmbo - This forum is awesome and you do a tremendous job running it.