• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

New Pioneer Deck - Question Re: Parking Brake

  • Thread starter Thread starter twogts4us
  • Start date Start date May 23, 2012
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 23, 2012
#1
  • May 23, 2012
  • #1
I just finished installing my new AVH-P4400BH into my 2004 Mach 1. Everything went fine except it won't play a DVD because I didn't connect the parking brake wire. (I wrongfully assumed if I didn't connect it, it wouldn't matter.) Looking at the parking brake, there doesn't appear to be anyway to easily access it. Can I hook this wire up somewhere else to fool the deck into thinking the parking brake is engaged? (Yes, understood, I'm risking my life if I decide to watch videos as I drive..!!)
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
May 23, 2012
#2
  • May 23, 2012
  • #2
In the manual there is mention made of the parking brake interlock (page 6/112). The interlock requires that you "(1)apply the parking brake, (2)release the parking brake and then (3) apply the parking brake."

If this is so you're not going to be able to just tie that wire to a single level (12V or GND). You'll need to wire a switch to allow you to do the on-off-on thing.
 

txredgt

10 Year Member
Oct 26, 2009
1,343
33
69
May 23, 2012
#3
  • May 23, 2012
  • #3
What trinity said, older models only needed to be grounded but newer models need more than that.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 23, 2012
#4
  • May 23, 2012
  • #4
Thanks guys...but what a PITA. OK, so if I decide to go the route of installing it as instructed, where the heck is the parking brake wire? They say it's connected to the parking brake itself, but how do you access it? Don't tell me I have to remove the entire console...
 

txredgt

10 Year Member
Oct 26, 2009
1,343
33
69
May 23, 2012
#5
  • May 23, 2012
  • #5
twogts4us said:
Thanks guys...but what a PITA. OK, so if I decide to go the route of installing it as instructed, where the heck is the parking brake wire? They say it's connected to the parking brake itself, but how do you access it? Don't tell me I have to remove the entire console...
Click to expand...

Removing the console is easier than you think. I want to say its 3-5 bolts holding it together minus the shifter bezel. 1 is inside the arm rest and 2 will be behind the shifter bezel you remove. I'm pretty sure the wiring for it though runs along the inside of the console and is visible when you remove the shift bezel. That's also where the cig lighter power is run. To me it would be easier if that was the case vs having to get under the car from that side.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
May 23, 2012
#6
  • May 23, 2012
  • #6
This is what I used to bypass the INA W900 in my truck. It seems to be one of the more common methods....

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_5257_PAC-TR-7.html
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 24, 2012
#7
  • May 24, 2012
  • #7
Well I took you advice txredgt, and pulled the console. As you mentioned there are 2 screws behind the shifter bezel, then 2 more under the arm rest. I propped the console's ass end with a circa 8" piece of 2x2 wood and quickly found the lt blue and black wire from the pass side.
My next question is regarding the 2nd piece of the wiring harness they (Crutchfield) provided. It's the smaller of the 2 connections and has 2 RCA jacks and 2 blue wires coming out of it. It's unclear whether I need this for the factory Mach 460 amps to function. Any (more) advice?
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 24, 2012
#8
  • May 24, 2012
  • #8
Here is a pic of the wiring harness...again, I am talking about the smaller of the two...the one with 2 RCA jacks. If I do have to plug this into the car's existing harness and into the stereo, what do I do with the blue wires?
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 24, 2012
#9
  • May 24, 2012
  • #9
And a pic of the stereo's rear...
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 25, 2012
#10
  • May 25, 2012
  • #10
DISREGARD - issue resolved. A quick call to Crutchfield told me that the harness connects to the SWL and SWR RCA jacks, and the blue wires tie into the blue/ white striped wire from the Pioneer harness. I'm now rockin'!
 

txredgt

10 Year Member
Oct 26, 2009
1,343
33
69
May 25, 2012
#11
  • May 25, 2012
  • #11
twogts4us said:
DISREGARD - issue resolved. A quick call to Crutchfield told me that the harness connects to the SWL and SWR RCA jacks, and the blue wires tie into the blue/ white striped wire from the Pioneer harness. I'm now rockin'!
Click to expand...

Awesome! Now let's see the purdy side of the head unit!
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 26, 2012
#12
  • May 26, 2012
  • #12
txredgt said:
Awesome! Now let's see the purdy side of the head unit!
Click to expand...

Here ya go. I like the lack of knobs and buttons...just a thin strip along the bottom. Very clean looking. This is a great deck...good clean power, and smart, logical menus and navigation. I love it.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 26, 2012
#13
  • May 26, 2012
  • #13
Dammit - my wife likes my new stereo so much she just ordered one for her Pathfinder.
 

txredgt

10 Year Member
Oct 26, 2009
1,343
33
69
May 26, 2012
#14
  • May 26, 2012
  • #14
Very nice! how much did it set you back?
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
May 27, 2012
#15
  • May 27, 2012
  • #15
$499 each...(times 2 now!) Free shipping, no tax, and free wiring harness/mounting kit. www.crutchfield.com
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Jun 2, 2012
#16
  • Jun 2, 2012
  • #16
UPDATE -

After buying the second deck for my wife's Pathfinder, I decided I must find a way to bypass the parking brake switch. The best solution was to install a simple 12V relay ($4.99 each at Advanced Auto). You will also need female terminal connectors and some wire. I spent $22.43 for 2 relays, a spool of 16g wire, and a box of 20 terminals, more than enough to do both cars. I can't take the credit for this solution - there are several YouTube videos and write-ups for it - the best one I found is HERE.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Jun 2, 2012
#17
  • Jun 2, 2012
  • #17
....Johnny Knoxville installs car stereo's!?!
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Jun 4, 2012
#18
  • Jun 4, 2012
  • #18
LOL - yeah, he's a character for sure - but the explanation was very clear and concise. I retrofitted it into my Mach and also installed the new Pioneer deck and the 'relay solution' into my wife's Pathfinder this past weekend and it worked perfectly in both vehicles.
I also must say that I was very happy with my purchases (and the Tech support) from Crutchfield. I'll recommend them and will definitely buy from them again. They took the worry out of doing it myself.
 

jetmech807

10 Year Member
Dec 1, 2011
1,195
326
164
Crestview, FL
Jul 19, 2012
#19
  • Jul 19, 2012
  • #19
Well you've had the new decks for a little while now. Still like 'em? Pretty well sold on one of these, just wondering how the experience has been.
 

txredgt

10 Year Member
Oct 26, 2009
1,343
33
69
Jul 23, 2012
#20
  • Jul 23, 2012
  • #20
twogts4us

Wanna let us know what you think of the unit after a month or so?
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
95 GT parking brake instrument cluster light trouble
  • Aroenias
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
243
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 24, 2025
Mustang5L5
9
Brakes Rear brakes feel stuck after replacing pads and rotors
  • 99stanggtvinx
  • Aug 31, 2024
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
526
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Sep 1, 2024
nickyb
S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
823
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
spilly
S
G
68 Mustang - Cluster and turning signal lights intermittent after upgrading to LED
  • grantosmond
  • Jun 14, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
183
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 14, 2025
grantosmond
G
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
169
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?