C6 dash illumination connection?

[Flareside]

I'm installing a Pioneer D3 in my Bose equipped 05 using the Peripheral GMCO harness. How do you guys deal with the orange "illumination" wire hookup that is supposed to be connected to the dashboard lights? I would like to have this feature enabled so that the screen will automatically dim at night. There are two orange wires on the GMCO, but neither seems to have any voltage whether the dash lights are on or off. Maybe I have to find a separate feed from the dash lights, or tie it into the headlight circuit?

[leolufse]

I don't think the harness dimmer wire works, you'll have to find a different source. I'd go to the switch on the left side of the dash. Let us know what you come up with.

[TheKomoman]

Interesting question... I'll have to check my wiring diagrams when I get home. The sun sensor is in the dash by the center speaker but I don't know what signal it outputs to trigger "night" to the system. I suspect that sensor is monitored by the computer, which then sends a "dim" signal across the serial data bus. But if the output voltage on that sensor would drive the dimmer light on the head it might work.

[Flareside]

Thanks for the help guys. When I got home today, I decided to just run a wire to one of the back tail lights. The screen dimmer is working perfectly now, and the D3 even allows you to change to a totally different color scheme automatically at night. Very cool!

[TheKomoman]

Originally Posted by Flareside

Thanks for the help guys. When I got home today, I decided to just run a wire to one of the back tail lights. The screen dimmer is working perfectly now, and the D3 even allows you to change to a totally different color scheme automatically at night. Very cool!

Darned good idea, if also a darned long run.

I'll still look it up (now that your post reminded me) and post if I find anything useful.

[vetterlatethannever]

Originally Posted by Flareside

Thanks for the help guys. When I got home today, I decided to just run a wire to one of the back tail lights. The screen dimmer is working perfectly now, and the D3 even allows you to change to a totally different color scheme automatically at night. Very cool!

for creativity

[Flareside]

It does sound like a long run just for a night light...

It wasn't really as bad as it sounds, since I had to run a wire to the back for the camera anyway. I just ran two instead of one, the whole thing took about an hour.

[TheKomoman]

Originally Posted by Flareside

It does sound like a long run just for a night light...

It wasn't really as bad as it sounds, since I had to run a wire to the back for the camera anyway. I just ran two instead of one, the whole thing took about an hour.

Nah, I ran one about that long for a trigger, wouldn't take but another foot or so to get to the lights.

Please write-up a how-to, including which wire you tapped at the light. Would be a great addition to the FAQ!


I started digging through the schematics... so far it is looking a whole lot like pure serial data bus from the sun sensor but I'll look at it with fresh eyes and fewer beers tomorrow.