For a nav system that I bought over a year ago and am just now getting around to installing.

I need to tap into the speed sensor lead. I know that it comes off the differential and if worse comes to worse I will tap into it there and run it under the truck. But I'm wondering if there is an easier place to tap into it, without having to crawl around under the truck and possibly drill a hole. I have a factory wiring diagram but I am still a bit confused. It would be great if it comes up into the cab somewhere near the dash that's easy to get to.

I also need to tap into the reverse light - I was just going to get it from the taillight and run it through the truck. Not a big deal. But if there is an easier place to get to it, like the reverse sensor, that would be good. I'm just not sure where the reverse sensor is.

1990 XLT 5.8 E4OD

 

This may be a bit off topic, but what would you do in the case of owning a older truck with no sensors......or say even a boat.......how do these nav systems work in applications like that????

 

Ok, Pin 3 (DK. GREEN/WHITE) wire on the ECA is the VSS positive. Pin 6 (BLACK) wire on the ECA is the VSS negative {NOTE: This is NOT a typical ground but rather an isolated ground specifically for the VSS. DO NOT GROUND THE VSS THROUGH THE VEHICLE CHASSIS}. Since the ECA is right there behind the passenger kick panel it should simplify the wiring. If the wire colors do not match what is listed use the wires extending from pins 3 and 6 of the ECA regardless of the wire color.

 

99.9% of them do not need to be wired into anything and are standalone units. I got a great deal on mine because they were apparently left over from Hertz or one of the other major rental companies who was outfitting their fleet with navigation systems. I still don't know why they need to be wired in like that though - the satellite link should provide the speed and direction data. But for $199 - and it came with every single CD needed for the whole of North America, no need to purchase expensive discs and memory (it has its own dedicated disc reader) - I can deal with these wire hookups. The rest of them are simple power and ground leads.

A nav system to compare with this one would still run app. $1,000; to either get one that does the whole country out of the box or one with optional memory and map data (and also that has voice guided directions and a touch screen.

Car nav systems are one area of technology where the price has stayed fairly stable and nav systems are still pricey. They've come down a bit, but not much. By the time I actually install this thing, they'll be down to $199 though...

 

Thanks GS. And I'm glad to see that you're still around! I'm here but have not had any real problems with the Bronco for years so I tend to forget about the board. I had a cold start issue last month that turned out to be a flooding issue, I didn't know that EFI can flood. Apparently it can... Just needed to dry out the plugs.

It's going into the body shop today, just a minor fender bender but that's what full coverage is for.

Anyway I'll (hopefully) be able to make sense out of all this once I start poking around in there. I have the factory wiring manual too, it is helpful but not always the way to find out where an actual wire is best accessed as far as tapping into it.

 

I hear ya, brother. Deciphering them can be a royal PITA sometimes. Was glad to see your name crop up again. Thought we might have lost ya to a newer model truck.

 

Not unless I win the lottery, and even then I'll keep the Bronc and totally customize it.