CompleteFusion

As I previously discussed, I recently got a 2008 Infiniti M35 and am building a carputer to put in it. On the base model M35 (without navigation), there are auxiliary RCA inputs located behind the center armrest; however, when the car is moving or the parking brake is off, the auxiliary video input is disabled.

Since the carputer will use the auxiliary video input to display its content on the car's monitor, I needed to enable the auxiliary video input when the car is in motion. Although there are several great posts about enabling advanced navigation features while the M35 is moving, the "navigation hack" (registration required), doesn't apply to my non-nav/base M35.

Since I couldn't find any specific information about non-nav 2008 M35 models, and the wiring harnesses shown in the "navigation hack" are different, I had to do some research and testing to determine how to enable the auxiliary video inputs while the vehicle is moving. (On the positive side, I didn't need to add a switch in the glove box or cabin since my AV control unit doesn't use the vehicle speed sensor for navigation, which makes my mod more simple than the "navigation hack".) From the existing "navigation hack" descriptions, I knew I needed to look at two wires: the parking brake signal, and the vehicle speed sensor.

In order to access the AV control unit, I had to remove the cup holder, seat heater controls, shifter area, and the clock panel. For more detailed instructions on removing those items, with pictures, check the "navigation hack" thread. At first, I thought that simply cutting the parking brake signal wire and vehicle speed sensor would be sufficient; however, I eventually realized that they both actually had to be grounded. After cutting those two wires ~3" from the harness, I stripped 3/4″ off the ends still attached to the harness and used a wire nut to tie the two wires together with a piece of speaker wire, which I attached to a Torx bolt on the AV control unit’s metal frame.

Here's the wiring harnesses attached to the AV control unit, with the ones I modified marked in yellow, and the description of the parking brake signal and vehicle speed sensor wires (click to view the full-size images):

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only. Although I have attempted to present accurate information, I can't guarantee the information is correct or applicable to your specific car. Modifying your M35 in this manner may void part or all of your warranty, cause damage to your car, cause unintended effects in your car's operation, cause injury to yourself or others, or be illegal in your jurisdiction.

I received all the parts for my carputer, and began installing and configuring my operating system of choice — Ubuntu Linux.  Since I didn't have a cd/dvd drive attached to the carputer, I installed Ubuntu from a USB stick.  In the process, I discovered a new tool for creating USB installation media, called UNetbootin (Universal Netboot Installer).  It can be run from Windows or Linux, and has built-in support for creating USB installation media for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, openSUSE, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and more.  It can handle downloading the operating system's image file (.iso), or utilize one you have previously downloaded.  Since I had already downloaded a mini cd image of Ubuntu, I opted to have UNetbootin use that.

After UNetbootin finished setting up the USB stick, I used it to install Ubuntu on the carputer's hard drive.  From there, I installed openssh-server, gpsd, and wireless-tools:

apt-get install openssh-server gpsd wireless-tools

Then I set up my wireless connection with my Belkin Wireless G USB adapter as follows:

ifconfig wlan0 up
iwlist wlan0 scanning (returns your wireless network essid)
iwconfig wlan0 essid [your essid]
iwconfig wlan0 key [hex WEP key]
dhclient wlan0

Then I installed Ubuntu Mobile and the Hildon desktop, and configured a few Hildon settings:

apt-get install ubuntu-mobile xserver-xephyr hildon-desktop

I created the file /usr/share/xsessions/hildon.desktop containing:

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Hildon
Exec=/usr/local/bin/start-hildon-session
Type=Application

I copied the hildon startup script:

cp `which start-hildon` /usr/local/bin/start-hildon-session

And finally, I edited /usr/local/bin/start-hildon-session and commented out "export DISPLAY=:1".

Although I made a fair amount of progress today, I still have a lot of work left:

1) Configure Ubuntu Mobile/Hildon
2) Setup touchscreen overlay film and test interface
3) Configure sound drivers and media codecs
4) Test iGuidance under wine and compare to the current state of native Linux GPS software
5) Get Creative webcam working as a rearview/backup camera
6) Setup rsync to copy newly added media when the carputer is parked in the garage and can access my fileserver over my wireless network
7) Configure bluetooth tethering/internet access through my Sprint HTC Mogul

And of course, I have to install everything into the car when the configuration is completed.

About a week ago, I saw a great deal online for a 2008 Infiniti M35 with ~15,000 miles, from a dealer in southern California.  I hadn't previously given much thought to getting an Infiniti, but the discounted price caught my attention.  I went down to a local Infiniti dealer in Vegas, and eventually convinced them to give me an even better deal — a 2008 M35 with 11,000 miles for $20,000 less than the MSRP on a similarly equipped new 2008.  Also, the original factory warranty (4 years, 60k miles) still applies, which is great.

On the handling and power side of things, the M35 is nicely equipped.  Overall, the handling seems to be a bit sharper than my previous car, a 2007 Audi A4.  Speed-wise, it's hard to tell if the M35 accelerates faster than the A4, or not.  It seems like it accelerates slightly faster, although the comparison is difficult because of the A4's turbocharger.  The acceleration in the M35 is more smooth, instead of the "turbo lag" you experience in the A4.  Either way, it's plenty of speed and performance for everyday driving, and can also definitely come through when you need it.

As far as technology goes, even my base model 2008 M35 has quite a bit of integrated technology features.  So far, one of my favorite features has been the car's bluetooth integration — when I make or receive a phone call, the audio for the car is automatically switched to handle the call.

Since it is just the base model, I don't have GPS navigation, ipod integration, etc.; however, the 2008 base M35 has rear auxiliary inputs (RCA composite video and left/right audio), which will allow me to add all those features and more, by putting a computer into my car.  I'll be posting the initial parts list and project outline next, and keeping everyone updated on my progress with additional posts after that.

Here are a few pictures of my new 2008 Infiniti M35 (and one with my old car, a 2007 Audi A4 in the background):