Hey folks, first off I'm truly impressed with this website, what an awesome resource.
I'm installing the mentioned Alpine Nav system in my 1990 VW Vanagon Syncro (4X4) Camper and I have a few questions:
1. I plan on powering it directly from my coach battery w/an on/off switch, do I need a relay since I wont be running it through the ignition switch? If so what kind?
2. What does the parking brake wire do and is it possible to bypass it?
3. My van does have cruise control but I don't think it has a VSS input. I'm thinking of making one with a reed or hall switch and a magnet, I know others have done this to fix error codes with engine conversions (subaru) that need a VSS? Does the Alpine ECU just read ground pulses or do I need to go another route with solving this problem?
Thanks for your time!
-Ryan London
1990 Vanagon Syncro GL Westfalia
Chicago
1a. the yellow wire needs to have battery power
b. the red wire can be on a toggle switch one of the 5amp kind
2. parking brake wire normaly goes to the e-brake so you cant do any functions while you drive.
but if the wire should happen to get shorted out by lets say a screw while mounting the unit to the car it might just work tooooooooo
3. yes the ECU will read ground pulses
hope this will help you
how can you bypass the brake wire? and what does it mean when other posts recommend that you GROUND the brake wire? DOes that mean to just connect it to the - rather than the +??? Please help me.