Hello Forum,

Where is the interior location of the parking brake cable? Under the center console? Dash? Steering column? Can anyone tell me what panel to remove to access the parking brake light cable?

In the past, this forum was a terrific resource for info while I installed my Pioneer AVH3200 DVD stereo in my '07 Xterra.

The one step I held off on was wiring into the parking break to allow video playback because I could not locate the e-brake cable and didn't want to pull my dash apart too much.

I don't want to override, just patch in per the manufacturer instructions.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Jeff

The parking brake cable is beneath the cup holders in the center console. The whole piece just pops off. Pull directly upwards and it installs by just pressing it back in.

Once you have it open, you should see the parking brake swtich.

Good luck!

Why do you ask? Is your light out? Or is it on all the time. If it's on all the time, you may be low on brake fluid. If that's the case, it's the easiest fix.

Excellent! Thank you so much!

The reason I ask is:

I purchased an upgrade for the factory CD/Radio, the Pioneer AVH3000 (touchscreen with iPod menu integration)

I love it and it even plays DVDs (if the parking brake is engaged) That is the reason I was asking. The radio requires a connection be made to the parking brake light's cable for the DVD/video capabilities to function.

Once the install is complete, I'll gladly post pics here for anyone who's curious.

Thanks again for your help. Installing tomorrow morning...

Install completed. Love it. I was concerned about replacing the stereo -- as I believe non-factory head units in cars can look odd or strange compared to the rest of the dashboard -- but not the case here. The colors and desktop on the head unit are completely customizable.

The brake cable was just inside of the cup holders, which came out very easily. A little bit of MaGyver-ing was needed to get the head unit's cable back to the brake but not impossible.

Here are the pics of the final result:

Installed:


Whole dash:


Operational:


Operational 2:


DVD player operating:


iPod USB cable run in-dash to glove box to securely lock iPod up:


Thanks for the assistance!

Looking good!

I realize the posts in this thread are a week old, but if you grounded that wire(i.e. ring terminal + self tapping screw) to a piece of metal it would have done the same thing.

By connecting the wire to your parking brake, the DVD/video will only function when the parking brake is in engaged, after all, it's for safety. However, if you ground that wire, the DVD/video + additional settings you can't get without the brake on will be available ALL the time.

I accept no responsibility for what you decide, but just an FYI.