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03-25-2018, 12:09 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 386
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Magnadyne Stereo Night Mode Defeat
The screen on my Magnadyne system dims automatically because of the DRL's, rendering it unreadable in bright light.
I want to defeat the auto-dim and just use the systems' manual dim mode.
I don't see a model number on the face of my unit, which I need in order to view the manual and determine which wire it is.
The manual probably won't show how to do it, but I assume I can either unplug the wire that feeds from the headlights or, if it's part of a gang plug, just cut it and cap the input wire.
Does anyone know the model stereo used in the 2013/14 production year?
One other question: has anyone had luck playing music loaded on a thumb drive while the vehicle is in motion? My system wants the parking brake on when a thumb drive is inserted. No video on it, just music.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Former MBS 24R and 2401W Owners
Just recalibrating our camping set-up for now!
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03-25-2018, 12:36 PM
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#2
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2012 Solera
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,823
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Magnadyne Wiring
My 2012 used the M4LCD (before I changed it for a Kenwood). Suspect yours uses the same Magnadyne. The wires of interest are Blue/Black (Dimmer Control) and Orange (Parking Brake). See attached.
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JLeising
2012 Solera "S"
Calif SF Bay Area
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03-25-2018, 12:58 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JLeising
My 2012 used the M4LCD (before I changed it for a Kenwood). Suspect yours uses the same Magnadyne. The wires of interest are Blue/Black (Dimmer Control) and Orange (Parking Brake). See attached.
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Thanks, Jim.
Soooo...you got me thinking, which might get me in trouble, lol! In the diagram, it shows 2 wires in a dual gang plug. I assume a switch in the parking brake mechanism sends power to the system when the brake is engaged. Therefore, if I swapped those 2 wires, the stereo would auto dim when the brake is engaged (which would be OK) and when driving, the DRLs would fool the system into thinking the brake is on.
The only problem is that I'd have to turn on the headlights when parked if I wanted to watch a DVD, but then, I've never watched a DVD in it in 4 years.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Former MBS 24R and 2401W Owners
Just recalibrating our camping set-up for now!
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03-25-2018, 01:31 PM
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#4
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2012 Solera
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,823
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As I remember, the headlight sensor looks for voltage; the parking brake sensor looks for ground.
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JLeising
2012 Solera "S"
Calif SF Bay Area
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03-25-2018, 01:37 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barnbnb
Thanks, Jim.
Soooo...you got me thinking, which might get me in trouble, lol! In the diagram, it shows 2 wires in a dual gang plug. I assume a switch in the parking brake mechanism sends power to the system when the brake is engaged. Therefore, if I swapped those 2 wires, the stereo would auto dim when the brake is engaged (which would be OK) and when driving, the DRLs would fool the system into thinking the brake is on.
The only problem is that I'd have to turn on the headlights when parked if I wanted to watch a DVD, but then, I've never watched a DVD in it in 4 years.
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Oops! Upon enlarging the diagram, I see that the dimmer control is a positive connection, while the parking brake wire is a negative connection. I will unplug the gang entirely and then simply chassis ground parking brake wire to bypass the brake switch.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Former MBS 24R and 2401W Owners
Just recalibrating our camping set-up for now!
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03-25-2018, 02:56 PM
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#6
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2012 Solera
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,823
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Should work. As I remember, I just cut the headlight wire. On mine the parking brake lock out never worked anyway.
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JLeising
2012 Solera "S"
Calif SF Bay Area
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03-25-2018, 07:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JLeising
Should work. As I remember, I just cut the headlight wire. On mine the parking brake lock out never worked anyway.
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Got it done. I did not have the DIN tools to remove the radio, but after taking off the trim I just dropped the A/C control unit down out of the way to access the wiring. It's a real bird's nest of RCA plugs and various wires in there!
I attached a new ground wire to one of the upper studs where the steering column is bolted to the firewall and spliced the line into the stereos' parking brake wire. I didn't cut the wire, just removed some insulation and twisted it on good and tight. I think it will be ok without solder. Works good now.
I also cut the dimmer wire and capped it. No more "invisible" screen during the day now! Yay!!!
Thanks for your help! Also, I applaud those who have tackled changing out their units. There would be a lot of time invested in redoing all that wiring.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Former MBS 24R and 2401W Owners
Just recalibrating our camping set-up for now!
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03-25-2018, 07:52 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 386
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One other thing: I realized the way I tapped into the wiring for the "media player parking brake defeat" would likely cause the light on the dash to come on, so I just cut the connection and put a wire nut on the splice.
All is good.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Former MBS 24R and 2401W Owners
Just recalibrating our camping set-up for now!
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03-27-2018, 10:17 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3
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We also have problems with the Magdyne seeing it while driving in the sunlight - hard to see. Also need to update maps and don't know how. We have the 2012 version and Solara 24S Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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03-27-2018, 04:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Orange Park Fl.
Posts: 1,875
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ClaireJ
We also have problems with the Magdyne seeing it while driving in the sunlight - hard to see. Also need to update maps and don't know how. We have the 2012 version and Solara 24S Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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You can manually set the screen to bright each time you start up or cut and cap the blue wire to the radio. The wire is labeled. If your maps can be updated through "Navextras" web site. Their web address is in the Magnadyne manual.
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2014 Solera 24R
USN Retired
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03-27-2018, 05:04 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Orange Park Fl.
Posts: 1,875
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BTW, to update you will need to remove your radio to access the memory card in the back of the unit.
__________________
2014 Solera 24R
USN Retired
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03-27-2018, 06:05 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikegjax
You can manually set the screen to bright each time you start up or cut and cap the blue wire to the radio. The wire is labeled. If your maps can be updated through "Navextras" web site. Their web address is in the Magnadyne manual.
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Even on "bright" it was illegible. Cutting the blue/black line works, but best to replace whole unit with a better, up to date system. Magnadyne system is cumbersome, especially for GPS.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Former MBS 24R and 2401W Owners
Just recalibrating our camping set-up for now!
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