Parking Brake Sensor?

[skrivan]

i'm installing a Kenwwod Excelon stereo with a back-up camera. there's a wire on back of the stereo that is supposed to get hooked up to parking brake sensor. Does anyone know where that is in my 2000 E350 Econoline Sportsmobile? thanks

[carringb]

It comes directly out of the parking brake pedal assembly.

[skrivan]

Thanks..I guess I could have looked first, then post. I have no idea why they need that hooked up but it looks simple enough.....

[mikracer]

The reason for that wire is so that you cannot watch DVD's unless the parking brake is on. I think most people bypass it by grounding it, but I'm not 100% sure.

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by mikracer

The reason for that wire is so that you cannot watch DVD's unless the parking brake is on. I think most people bypass it by grounding it, but I'm not 100% sure.

Exactly! Don't hook it up! I don't condone watching DVDs while driving but I did find it important to be able to access this while driving occasionally to help the kids get a movie started. I had mine run to a bigger TV in the back that they watch, but controlled from the front DVD receiver up front. I had to ground my wire, but they don't all work the same way. Eventually I put it on a toggle switch so I could turn the DVD on the front small screen at any time.

[photographix]

I have a Kenwood, and I just grounded that wire to a screw under the dash.

Other makes of stereos require a little electronic device to to mislead the stereo into thinking the foot brake is on. Usually they can be found on Amazon for $10 or so.

[carringb]

Besides DVDs, some of the stereos even restrict GPS input functions. I agree with the others. Just ground it out. Its to protect from stupid, but I think anybody on this forum can take care of themselves.

[skrivan]

Thanks all. Ill check to be sure it's ground and not power + coming out of the brake sensor. I saw another blog on ford trucks where there was some confusion. I'm going to bypass it because I can.