Technical Head Unit Dimming Issue

[Bipedalmale]

I have recently fitted an aftermarket ATOTO head unit to the Panda and it is working fine.

Thread: https://www.fiatforum.com/garage/panda-60hp.4908/update/stereo-upgrade.276/

However, there is a very minor irritation in how it operates, which is self inflicted but I was wondering if there is a simple fix.

I always drive with the sidelights on and so the head unit detects the lights being on and the Head Unit switches to night mode, this dims the display (which can be overridden), however it also sets the map to night mode which is less legible in daylight.

So my options are:

Don't drive with sidelights on.
Change the settings withing Android Auto to not switch to night mode, but this will be an issue when it is actually night time.
Fit an inline switch in the correct wire to the head unit which can be flicked at night to enable this feature.

I was hoping there might be a cleverer option?

Has anyone come across a solution to this "issue".

Many thanks

 

[koalar]

Does the radio go on and off with the ignition key

Does your car have button on the steering wheel for the radio

Does your car have a subwoofer in the front seat

The basic model cars only have 3 input wires 1 supplying the permanent power, and two network wires, that control the on, off, screen, speed dependent volume and so on,

 

[Bipedalmale]

Yes, the radio works only with the ignition on.

No, there are no buttons on the steering wheel.

No Subwoofer.

The head unit senses the lights being on, so that is all good, I just want it to ONLY work when the headlights are on rather than either the sidelights or headlights as it currently does. I know I am being really fussy.

 

[koalar]

What adaptor did you use to convert plug from the fiat plug to standard ISO

 

[Bipedalmale]

It was a harness that came with the Device, it was labelled 'ISO Connector B'

The cables are the same as this poster:

Advice for installing Aftermarket Head Unit | FIAT Grande Punto

Hi All, I recently bought a 2 din fascia to install a new head unit in my punto and have also bought the ATOTO F7 WE: . However I am having a hard time installing due to the wiring. The head unit comes with three bundles of wires, a wiring harness and two ISO connectors titled "ISO Connector...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[koalar]

Most cars with the standard radio are wired like this

Just pin 1,3 to control everything

As everything is controlled by signals from the body computer it would be hard to change anything



Higher end radios (rare) used pin 6 for the light detection


I thought this only applied to cars with subwoofer and/or steering controls, is yours a later euro 5 car

Probably yellow and red

From here I can not tell how yours was original wired

 

[Bipedalmale]

Wow. that is way more detailed than the info I have:

https://incartec.blob.core.windows.net/instructions/Understanding ISO Connecters.pdf

It does suggest P6 for Illumination though.

Thank you so much!

 

[koalar]

Before cutting anything

I'd back probe with a multimeter set to volts on pin 6( Probably yellow and red ) and ground

You should see the voltage change as the lights are switched on and off if it's being used

 

[Bipedalmale]

Before cutting anything

I'd back probe with a multimeter set to volts on pin 6( Probably yellow and red ) and ground

You should see the voltage change as the lights are switched on and off if it's being used

Thank you so much, I will see how I get on!

 

[stepheninlincolnshire]

I think that you will find a setting in android auto that turns on / off night mode
its a bit dark to check now

 

[Bipedalmale]

I think that you will find a setting in android auto that turns on / off night mode
its a bit dark to check now

There is indeed, if I get Android Auto to to enter Night Mode (which would work for daylight running), it would blind me at night.

My issue is, self inflicted by me running with the sidelights on all the time, this makes the head unit think it is night time constantly so I get the "dark" maps during the day, which is less than ideal. I am hoping to be able to override the signal from the car telling the car that the lights are on.

It is definitely on the "first world problems" list.

 

[boguing]

I've put a switch in the 'lights on' wire, and while I was at it, another to replace the handbrake switch wire that otherwise won't let me into some menus on the Pioneer head unit. Couple of neat little rockers in the dash fuse cover. They'd pass for factory fit!

 

[Wazzzer]

There's an option within the developer settings of android auto to get it to match the phone settings rather than the car. This is assuming you have night/day mode turned on in the settings on your phone