Hack the nav - enable trip computer and AC

Exciting news! I believe I have the ANSWER... how to enable the trip computer and air conditioning controls that Honda disabled in the Ridgeline.

Has this been proven or even tested? NO, but from what we can tell (without actually having access to a Ridgeline) it SHOULD work.

I've started a new thread for one purpose. I'm not able to post all that is needed at this time and I'll need your help. I hope we can keep this thread ON TOPIC and all work together toward getting this problem solved. I hope the moderators will help me keep this thread on topic.

I was WRONG about the changes not being possible via the DVD. Seems that it will be via the DVD and will be VERY SIMPLE! Just can't give you all the info just yet.

Assignments: A few to start with.

#1 We must find a way to burn a DVD that the Ridgeline NAV unit will read. Those of you out there with both a NAV DVD and a DVD burner must find a way to copy the DVD and it be readable in the Ridgeline NAV unit. I do know the DVD is a multi-layer DVD, but I can't tell you what format or burning method may work. If anyone can burn a copy of their original DVD and have the burned copy actually work in the Ridgeline NAV unit please post complete information here. How you did it, what media, what burner, what software, everything!

#2 Look at your NAV DVD. What color is the label? What version number is printed on it? Most are 4.13c that we've seen, but there's supposedly a version 4.20 out there. If some of you could post a directory of the files on your DVD it would be welcomed. No need for duplication if someone else has posted what your DVD contains.

#3 We need directory information from ALL 2005 model Acura and Honda NAV DVD's. Post the directory info (list of files, sizes and dates) and list the model. Only 2005 models please.

The above will get us well on our way to having this issue solved. I should have my Ridgeline within the next two weeks and I intend to have a working trip computer and A/C functions on my navigation system the day I pick it up. With your help we can make this possible. We've got to get past issue #1 above first, but with all the knowledge out there I bet we can do it.

Thanks,
Joe

Here's some info I found that may work to duplicate the DVD. Credit to tsXgtp.

I don't currently have the hardware to test this. Hope someone does.

"
W\ BitSetting
1. You buy a DVD+R DL
2. Find a program that will allow you to alter the BitSettings on your DVD DL burner. Not all drives allow this. I have an NEC 3500A and the firmware is open source which allows many people to freely edit at their own cost. Flashing the ROM on your DVD burner may also be necessary.
3. Change the Bitset for DVD+R DL discs from 'DVD+R' to 'DVD-ROM'.
4. Burn the disc
5. The DVD+R DL disk is now considered a 'DVD-ROM' disc and will be able to be read on all DVD players that can read DVD-ROM discs (standard data disc).

Check out DVD Decrypter and DVD Identifier. Decrypter can change the BitSet on some drives along with Nero 6.6.1.
Hope this helps."

just so happen my wife has an 05 tsx

Its going to take some major compression, the files on the DVD are 7.5 Gig and a regular DVD is only 4.7 gig.

Other than that fact I wouldnt be making it public record that your hacking a disc with copywrite protection on it. :eek: I think I'll just keep B*$^%ing at Honda about it even though they wont do anything about it :D

No, I'm not worried about Honda coming after me at all. The information contained on the DVD is copyrighted by four different organizations. Honda, InfoUSA, Navigation Technologies, and Alpine.

There are others that have been working at this (on different Honda or Acura vehicles of course) for quite some time. Not a peep out of anyone regarding copyright violations.

As for what we're starting with here... you have an absolute right to make archival copies of the DVD for your own purposes. Been all the way to the Supreme Court and contained in the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act). No problem here.

To display the contents, or directory of the DVD is certainly not a violation of any copyright.

Above all... I don't intend to charge money to enable the features described. It would be pretty fuitless for them to come after me or anyone else when there's no money involved.

Not worried at all. Full steam ahead!

Same info on mine as Bellteck.
White label.
Ver 4.13C
US & Southern Cal.
ditto on file info.
YEAH!

Same info on mine as Bellteck.
White label.
Ver 4.13C
US & Southern Cal.
ditto on file info.
YEAH!

Can you or Bellteck post the acutal filenames, sizes and dates? Like the old DOS style directory.

Thanks!

Does this help at all? I have version 4.13A (white)??? My Ridge may have been approx. #596 produced (vin#).



E:\>dir
Volume in drive E is BTM050S13A
Volume Serial Number is 014B-6DC6

Directory of E:\

10/23/2003 07:52 PM 27,848 05M_14Wide.TTF
05/20/2004 05:32 PM 337,016 80000000.BMP
05/20/2004 05:30 PM 337,016 80000001.BMP
11/19/2004 12:22 AM 1,296 A0000_00.MNG
09/17/2004 01:27 AM 75,428,208 ARROW.BMP
10/01/2004 09:48 PM 1,530,354,345 DCA0.AR0
10/01/2004 09:52 PM 874,878,616 DCA0.AR1
10/01/2004 09:55 PM 833,463,141 DCA0.AR2
10/01/2004 10:31 PM 375 DCA0.REG
07/08/2004 10:55 PM 10,792,464 ENUS2FA0.LE
07/08/2004 11:03 PM 10,552,512 ENUS2MA0.LE
07/08/2004 11:06 PM 8,928,968 FRCA2FA0.LE
05/06/2003 11:50 PM 2,823,794 FRNCH2F.VC_
07/07/2004 04:00 PM 53,257,898 FR_ETB2F.VC_
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> HAWAII
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> MAPFONTS
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> MAPICONS
11/17/2004 08:59 AM 112 PRG_INFO.MNG
09/17/2004 01:27 AM 63,502,064 ROAD.BMP
11/17/2004 11:32 AM 4,008,947 S3VW.bin
11/17/2004 11:32 AM 21,358,967 S3VW2.bin
11/17/2004 08:24 AM 4,007,831 SHJA.bin
11/17/2004 08:25 AM 21,239,647 SHJA2.bin
11/17/2004 08:55 AM 3,998,411 SJAA.bin
11/17/2004 08:56 AM 22,670,175 SJAA2.bin
11/17/2004 11:45 AM 4,007,847 SJCA.bin
11/17/2004 11:45 AM 21,238,123 SJCA2.bin
06/22/2004 10:39 AM 70,256 SideShiftPart.bmp
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> SimpleBmp
03/25/2004 07:02 AM 1,972,080 Smplbmp.bmp
03/25/2004 07:02 AM 536 Smplbmp.idx
11/16/2004 07:15 AM 3,418,490,177 U0001_02.BAS
09/30/2004 03:43 AM 173,874,074 U0130_02.ROA
09/30/2004 03:43 AM 998,106 U2001_02.CIT
09/30/2004 03:43 AM 4,126,132 U2002_02.SIG
08/31/2004 07:26 AM 88,576 UPDATE_APL.exe
01/20/2003 10:11 PM 2,446,208 US_ENG2F.VC_
02/04/2003 03:57 PM 2,430,336 US_ENG2M.VC_
07/07/2004 04:08 PM 52,969,836 US_ETB2F.VC_
07/07/2004 04:16 PM 51,940,332 US_ETB2M.VC_
09/29/2004 08:24 AM 562,954,708 VRDB.BIN
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 504 d0.tbb
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 8,375,528 d0.tcr
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 10,320 d0_bsa.tbb
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 8,377,355 d0_bsa.tcr
09/29/2004 10:56 PM 85,865 dca0.evt
09/29/2004 10:56 PM 94,203 dca0_mod.evt
43 File(s) 7,856,520,753 bytes
4 Dir(s) 0 bytes free

06RTLNAVBlue,

Good info. Thanks.

Now we need the same kind of info from 4.13b and 4.13c and other versions.

Thanks!

Could we also find a way to change the startup screen and get rid of the nag screen?

Could we also find a way to change the startup screen and get rid of the nag screen?

I believe we will be able to do the following regarding the nag screen.

#1 Change or delete the text that is displayed.

#2 Eliminate the need to hit the "OK" button.

What will we NOT be able to do? Speed up the bootstrap. The message is being displayed as part of the bootstrap. The delay will remiain even if the nag screen is removed. So it won't be any quicker even if we remove the nag screen.

Quick is not a concern. Hitting OK is. Thanks for your work on this!

06RTLNAVBlue,
Now we need the same kind of info from 4.13b and 4.13c and other versions.


I've been told the 4.20 release was only for an update to Canadian DVD. Hope that helps.

Quick is not a concern. Hitting OK is. Thanks for your work on this!
My thoughts exactly...

We need some help from any "computer experts" out there. We must find a way to burn or duplicate the factory navigation DVD and the duplicate work on the Ridgeline.

I know Dual Layer media is expensive. I don't really understand the "Change the Bitset for DVD+R DL discs from 'DVD+R' to 'DVD-ROM'" suggestion from another source, but someone here must know what it means and is willing to give it a try.

We've got to get past this hurdle. There must be a way to duplicate the nav DVD and have it work in the Ridgeline!

Just a thought, maybe a "computer enthusiast bulletin board" or "club" would know how???

Csimo, I think you mentioned this site already but not sure??? Maybe somebody on this site knows??? (below is a copy of a previous post I made)

Interesting post I noticed at the bottom of the "Autoblog" article:

Posted Apr 22, 2005, 3:02 PM ET by sparc
If you're really bothered by the boring screens, that can probably be fixed.
http://www.hackaday.com/entry/1234000443040445/I'm surprised auto manufacturers don't provide simple customization tools like these themselves.

http://www.hackaday.com/entry/1234000443040445

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112677

http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21434

I attempted to burn a copy of my Navi DVD tonight onto a Memorex DVD+R DL ('white DVD, version 4.13c). The burn worked flawlessly but the disc did not work in the Navi unit. I have no idea how to change the bitset of the disc.

Sorry guys, gave it my best shot.

Ok....Update from North of the border, my RL came with 2 DVD's

Loaded under seat: Ver. 4.20 (CANADA, and northern USA)
In glove box: Ver. 4.13A (USA and Southern Canada)

Ok....Update from North of the border, my RL came with 2 DVD's

Loaded under seat: Ver. 4.20 (CANADA, and northern USA)
In glove box: Ver. 4.13A (USA and Southern Canada)

Great info! Would love to see a directory listing of the files on each of those DVD's.

I don't really understand the "Change the Bitset for DVD+R DL discs from 'DVD+R' to 'DVD-ROM'" suggestion from another source, but someone here must know what it means and is willing to give it a try.
There is a utility that you download from your DVD recorder website that lets you change this bit setting. The +R/RW formats are the only ones this works for (not the -R/RW). It makes the disc more compatible with DVD players, but there is no guarantee that the DVD player Honda uses will read a recordable disc. Just like old DVD players won't read them. It's all in the laser that's used in the player to read the disc.

I have this utility at home for my burner, but I don't have the Navi unit.

Here are the files that were not the map data from an Acura RL. I checked and the map files are the same date and file size on both DVDs.

The disk label was white and was labled 4.13b

10/23/2003 04:52 PM 27,848 05M_14Wide.TTF
05/20/2004 02:32 PM 337,016 80000000.BMP
05/20/2004 02:30 PM 337,016 80000001.BMP
12/07/2004 04:19 PM 1,296 A0000_00.MNG
09/16/2004 10:27 PM 75,428,208 ARROW.BMP
09/29/2004 07:55 PM 504 d0.tbb
09/29/2004 07:55 PM 8,375,528 d0.tcr
09/29/2004 07:55 PM 10,320 d0_bsa.tbb
09/29/2004 07:55 PM 8,377,355 d0_bsa.tcr
09/29/2004 07:56 PM 85,865 dca0.evt
10/01/2004 07:31 PM 375 DCA0.REG
09/29/2004 07:56 PM 94,203 dca0_mod.evt
07/08/2004 07:55 PM 10,792,464 ENUS2FA0.LE
07/08/2004 08:03 PM 10,552,512 ENUS2MA0.LE
07/08/2004 08:06 PM 8,928,968 FRCA2FA0.LE
05/06/2003 08:50 PM 2,823,794 FRNCH2F.VC_
07/07/2004 01:00 PM 53,257,898 FR_ETB2F.VC_
05/11/2005 04:58 PM <DIR> HAWAII
05/11/2005 04:58 PM <DIR> MAPFONTS
05/11/2005 04:57 PM <DIR> MAPICONS
12/11/2004 01:32 AM 112 PRG_INFO.MNG
09/16/2004 10:27 PM 63,502,064 ROAD.BMP
12/11/2004 01:16 AM 4,013,215 S3VW.bin
12/11/2004 01:17 AM 21,372,807 S3VW2.bin
12/11/2004 01:18 AM 4,011,299 SHJA.bin
12/11/2004 01:18 AM 21,253,455 SHJA2.bin
06/22/2004 07:39 AM 70,256 SideShiftPart.bmp
05/11/2005 04:57 PM <DIR> SimpleBmp
12/04/2004 07:50 AM 4,001,179 SJAA.bin
12/04/2004 07:50 AM 22,682,743 SJAA2.bin
12/11/2004 03:25 AM 4,011,323 SJCA.bin
12/11/2004 03:25 AM 21,251,855 SJCA2.bin
03/25/2004 04:02 AM 1,972,080 Smplbmp.bmp
03/25/2004 04:02 AM 536 Smplbmp.idx
09/30/2004 12:43 AM 998,106 U2001_02.CIT
09/30/2004 12:43 AM 4,126,132 U2002_02.SIG
08/31/2004 04:26 AM 88,576 UPDATE_APL.exe
01/20/2003 07:11 PM 2,446,208 US_ENG2F.VC_
02/04/2003 12:57 PM 2,430,336 US_ENG2M.VC_
07/07/2004 01:08 PM 52,969,836 US_ETB2F.VC_
07/07/2004 01:16 PM 51,940,332 US_ETB2M.VC_

I went into the system setup and there is an update or load data button (sorry I forget right now) it seems to go to the DVD and load a ROM update as it showed a status bar and asked me to be sure not to turn the truck off. This is pretty normal behavior for a BIOS flash. I'm wondering if it might be as simple as renaming some of the .bin files to the RL names and running the update.

Also another thought. On the TSX hack they just use a regular CD to import the updates. We might not need to worry about the map data and DVD-ROM bit set if all we are doing is flashing the roms.

Csimo would digital pics of the various screens on the Ridge / Acura RL be helpful? Like the 2 attached samples.

While I really enjoy all the challenge of this project it seems like Honda would be so much better served not having us strugle through this.

Drewbot said, "I'm wondering if it might be as simple as renaming some of the .bin files to the RL names and running the update."

B I N G O. You win the prize. That's how easy we believe it is! The .bin filename is flashed into the unit at the factory. It just looks for a .bin by that name on the DVD and loads it. Should be able to rename the Acura RL .bin to the name the Ridgeline is looking for and PROBLEM SOLVED.

Easy to do yet so hard. We have to find a way to enable loading the other .bin via the DVD. That's why we have to find a way to copy the DVD and make it work in the Ridgeline.

Ok here are my latest findings.

I took the files off the Acura RL disk (4.13b) and burned a CD (not DVD) with files from the RL NAV disk without the map data.

I put the CD in the NAV computer in the Ridge.

When the system booted I went into the system menu and clicked on version.

It stated the the ROM was version 1.14 and the disk was version 1.10

I selected download at the bottom of that page and it FLASHED THE ROMS WITH 1.10.

The system rebooted and I repeated the steps above to verify that it did indeed flash the ROMS. It did.

Now the bad news...didn't make any difference in the menus...however I am guessing that it just used an older version of the Ridgeline ROM files so none of the features were enabled. Also upon putting the 4.13C DVD back in the drive the system "noticed" that the files on that disk were newer and automaticly flashed the ROMS back to 1.14.

The good news is that it appears that you can flash the ROMs with a normal CD-R without having to worry about the map data, and if ROMs on the DVD are the same version or older we should be able to use the existing DVDs for map and area data after flashing the "fixed" rom.

Now the hunt begins... Which of the ROM sets is the right one for the Ridge..

S3VW
SJCA
SHJA
SJAA

Anyone have any ideas as to how to find out that info?

In the diagnostic menu I'm told there's one screen that tells you which .bin file is loaded.

We'd need to find out what the .bin file is loaded on a 2005 Acura RL and rename that file to the name of the file the 2006 Ridgeline is loading.

Yes, the problem still exists that when you put the DVD with the map data back in the drive it will want to auto-upgrade. This is the reason we need to find a way to burn a workable copy of the DVD with the filenames changed.

My thought is that there is likely an Acura RL ROM image on the same DVD we are currently using. I would also guess that it is the same version as the Ridgeline ROM image so we won't have the problem of the "auto upgrade" if we use the RL ROM off the disk we all already have :)

I looked and the directions that work on the TSX to determine which file is loading don't work with the Ridgeline NAV. Are there any others that you can point me towards?

In the mean time I'll try a few tests to see if I can determine which ROM set it is. :cool:

Try this. In diagnostic mode go to "Unit Check" then "Navi ECU". There should be a listing of the loader BIN and operating BIN files used. At least there is on an MDX... don't know about the Ridgeline.

Put all four bios files on seperate CD-R's. Three of the four should refuse to load. The one that will load is the Ridgeline's file. Then just rename the files off the others to the same name as the Ridgeline's.

You are at the gates of discovery!

In the diagnostic menu I'm told there's one screen that tells you which .bin file is loaded.

We'd need to find out what the .bin file is loaded on a 2005 Acura RL and rename that file to the name of the file the 2006 Ridgeline is loading.

Yes, the problem still exists that when you put the DVD with the map data back in the drive it will want to auto-upgrade. This is the reason we need to find a way to burn a workable copy of the DVD with the filenames changed.

I am taking delivery on my Ridgeline w/Navi this week so I have been following this tread.
I also have a 2005 RL w/Navi and I use the trip computer allot so I am hoping someone can figure this out.
The 05 RL controls the A/C system and audio system it also has a system called AcuraLink that connects to
a data enabled Bluetooth phone built into the messaging system. The RL control is a large cursor knob on
the center consol you can see it here: http://www.acura.com/models/model_comfort_index.asp?module=rl
I am not sure how compatible the system would be. Anyway I went into the diag system on the Navi and got
this info.

Program Flash 1.10.00SC.BNKA
Program Disc 1.07.0900
IPL 0.231.000
HPL 0.251.122
DBOOT 0.241.122
System u Com 0.190.000
Model SJAA

This is exactly how the info comes up on the screen.
There is also allot of hacking info at: http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2
My RL software version is 4.13A some RL owners received 4.13B in the mail based on there VIN #
so some of them may have an extra 4.13A disc. Good luck and I hope this has been of some help!

Doug

My RL software version is 4.13A some RL owners received 4.13B in the mail based on there VIN # so some of them may have an extra 4.13A disc.

I am one of those. I got the replacement disc a month or so ago. It is cool to see a few other Ridgeline and 2005 Acura RL owners!

Ian

Next bit of info. I found the screen that show which rom set the RL and the Ridge are using.

Acura RL = SJAA.BIN and SJAA2.BIN

Ridgeline = SJCA.BIN and SJCA2.BIN

You can find the info by entering the system menus (Map / Menu / Cancel) then going to version. On that screen is shows the Program Flash - Program Disc - DPL - APL - DBOOT - System uCOM - Model.

This holds all the info we have been looking for the Ridge Model is SJCA.

As a note with no disk in the drive the Program Disc and APL fields are blank.

When I tried to run the update with only the SJAA files on a CDR the system gave me a "Please Check your Disk" error and wouldn't update.

I'm getting ready to rename the SJAA.bin files to SJCA.bin and see if that does the trick...

More to come... :D

Next bit of info. I found the screen that show which rom set the RL and the Ridge are using.

Acura RL = SJAA.BIN and SJAA2.BIN

Ridgeline = SJCA.BIN and SJCA2.BIN

You can find the info by entering the system menus (Map / Menu / Cancel) then going to version. On that screen is shows the Program Flash - Program Disc - DPL - APL - DBOOT - System uCOM - Model.

This holds all the info we have been looking for the Ridge Model is SJCA.

As a note with no disk in the drive the Program Disc and APL fields are blank.

When I tried to run the update with only the SJAA files on a CDR the system gave me a "Please Check your Disk" error and wouldn't update.

I'm getting ready to rename the SJAA.bin files to SJCA.bin and see if that does the trick...

More to come... :D

I'm holding my breath! You should have the answer as soon as you rename the files and load them!

Hurry!

Ok... good news and REAL Bad news..

Good News Renaming the roms worked exactly as expected. It patched the system and rebooted..brought up a welcome to Acura Navi splash screen and the hit ok button..

Now the bad..the RL has a totaly different interface than the ridgeline (twisty knob and no touch screen) and now my Navi is not responding to any keys..even the hard keys on the side of the nav.

I tried pulling the power to the system and I did get the reset with the request to enter the code but I still have no way to enter the data.

Right now I'm pretty screwed so any suggestions would be welcome. I might have to pull the Navi head and see if there is a hard reset that clears the whole unit and starts fresh.

So for now the findings are DO NOT USE THE SJCA ROMS!!!

More as I discover it .....

Copy the Ridgeline .bin files to a CD-R and make sure the date is in the future. It should recognize it as a newer file and load it.

No such luck. It is still asking for the security code, but I have no way to input the data..hmmm.

Anyone have access to the tech manual for the nav system to see how to do a full system reload?

Hmmmm, if it's asking for the security code because the power was cut. The unit now probably thinks it's stolen. None of the input keys work at all?

Will send off a message about this and see what a friend thinks.

[QUOTE=Drewbot]Ok... good news and REAL Bad news..
Now the bad..the RL has a totaly different interface than the ridgeline (twisty knob and no touch screen) and now my Navi is not responding to any keys..even the hard keys on the side of the nav.
QUOTE]

Being an 05 RL owner I was afraid that would be a problem.
Others have been able to to enable the Honda/Acura trip computer
with methods in these threads: http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2
Mabe a differnt Honda/Acura Navi is more compatible.

Doug

No such luck. It is still asking for the security code, but I have no way to input the data..hmmm.
Anyone have access to the tech manual for the nav system to see how to do a full system reload?

I looked in the service manual and it did not mention any type of reset other than disconnecting the battery.

It did mention a "forced starting of display" option. Not sure that's going to help here and the text really doesn't say much. "Connect the SCS service connector to the navigation service check connector located behind the navigation unit."

The SCS service connector appears to be nothing more than a jumper connecting the two pins together on the navigation service check connector which appears to be just a loose two pin connector cable haning off the back of the unit.

Then it says " turn the ignition switch ON (II). Check that the system starts up and then changes to the Navi System Link screen."

I looked at every page in the Navi section and that's all I really see that might help.

I'll look at the unit and see if I can find the connector. Worst case I'll take it to the dealer and take my meds.

Funny thing is I think we are very close to a solution, somebody had to take the bullet so may as well be me. :p It cracks me up to see the Acura nav splash screen when I start the truck.

I was hoping we could find a way to reset the system without dealer intervention so that I could try the other 2 rom images to see if they work any better.

Hmm I wonder if the system is looking at the files for an internal version number rather than a file date and that is why the rom is not reloading. I'll dig around with a hex editor but I'd feel better if a real programmer looked at the files to see if they can spot the version info.

Alternatively if one of the folks from Canada who has a version "later" than 4.13c can email me the SJCA.bin and SJCA2.bin files off their DVD that might fix my problem too.

Thanks for the help folks.

Finally something I can help with ...its windows based so Just hit Ctrl / Alt / Delete :D

You need a way to edit the existing RL ROM instead of trying to use the ROM for another system. I've seen ROM editors for my DVD burner, but I doubt the RL is popular enough yet for someone to have created such a utility yet. Might be worth looking for though.

Hows this?

The SHJA bios files are for the Odyssey. Problem is that Honda (in their infinite wisdom) has disabled the trip computer on the 2005 Odyseey navigation system too. The Touring model has a simple trip computer outside of the nav system.

Here's more for those that want to play around. How about a digital speedometer?

Be warned... mess with settings in these screens at your own risk!!!

"MENU" + "MAP/GUIDE" + "Cancel" for 5 secs enters standard diagnostics mode.

Then "GPS Information" button:

Then "MENU" for 5 secs and you get the "GPS Detail" screen.

You can also hit the "Delete" button and get other info.

Drewbot

Sorry man, I just realized I e-mailed you the wrong files. I sent files from 4.13 and not from 4.20.

Mechanic behind keyboad.............never a good situation.

Do you want me to send the proper files.....??

Big file, even after zip.

No worries about the files.

I had to go to the dealer for another problem (VTM-4 wouldn't engage) and of course I had to deal with the non working Nav system.

The dealer said that there are a few Nav systems that have a flaw that causes the unit to quit recieving input, and that it looks like mine might be one of those.

The net result is my NAV system had to be replaced and I'm without my new truck for a day or two (though mostly that is due to the dealer wanting to do a through check of the 4WD).

I'm done experimenting for now. When we have more information from a SH4 / Windows CE programer to look at the program flow of the RL vs the Ridge ROM images and perhaps reverse engineer the right "bit to twiddle" I might look again....after someone else has done it :)

I'm still holding out hope that if we make enough noise Honda may enable the trip computer with a future release of the nav DVD. :D

The topic of hacking the Honda Navigation system has been thoroughly explored on Acurazine.com http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21434 and any future RTL NAVI hacking should start by thoroughly understanding that thread.

Things of interest:
You can customize the Boot splash screen to almost any picture you like and people now have libraries of fantastic pictures.
You can try using the Acura hacks to remove the lawyer screen and change the OK text to GO. It might not work but it is not a catastrophic failure as you can easily reload your original DVD code.

Pressing MENU, CANCEL, MAP for 5 seconds gets you diag screen and version menu will allow you to load custom code from a CD (no DVD is required) when the file names are correct. Loading is into flash.

BTW you NAVI has a PCMCI slot next to the DVD slot which appears to be for downloading diagnostics logs into flash cards or maybe where you have been and how fast you've driven to the traffic courts.

Further hacks are very difficult as this is windows CE code written in C++.
The diassembled code is posted but it is not for the faint of heart.

Enjoy


No worries about the files.

I had to go to the dealer for another problem (VTM-4 wouldn't engage) and of course I had to deal with the non working Nav system.

The dealer said that there are a few Nav systems that have a flaw that causes the unit to quit recieving input, and that it looks like mine might be one of those.

The net result is my NAV system had to be replaced and I'm without my new truck for a day or two (though mostly that is due to the dealer wanting to do a through check of the 4WD).

I'm done experimenting for now. When we have more information from a SH4 / Windows CE programer to look at the program flow of the RL vs the Ridge ROM images and perhaps reverse engineer the right "bit to twiddle" I might look again....after someone else has done it :)

I'm still holding out hope that if we make enough noise Honda may enable the trip computer with a future release of the nav DVD. :D

The topic of hacking the Honda Navigation system has been thoroughly explored on Acurazine.com http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21434 and any future RTL NAVI hacking should start by thoroughly understanding that thread.

Things of interest:
You can customize the Boot splash screen to almost any picture you like and people now have libraries of fantastic pictures.
You can try using the Acura hacks to remove the lawyer screen and change the OK text to GO. It might not work but it is not a catastrophic failure as you can easily reload your original DVD code.

Pressing MENU, CANCEL, MAP for 5 seconds gets you diag screen and version menu will allow you to load custom code from a CD (no DVD is required) when the file names are correct. Loading is into flash.

BTW you NAVI has a PCMCI slot next to the DVD slot which appears to be for downloading diagnostics logs into flash cards or maybe where you have been and how fast you've driven to the traffic courts.

Further hacks are very difficult as this is windows CE code written in C++.
The diassembled code is posted but it is not for the faint of heart.

Enjoy






Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, the info on the tsx.acurazine.com you mention is not accurate for the ridgeline navi system. It does NOT work with the Ridgeline. The files on the disks are not the same as the ones listed in the procedure, and the "version" screen does not list any of the info needed to hack the system using this methd.

Yes MENU CANCEL MAP gives you a setup screen with file names, and I can get to the "version" screen easily, but none of these files are listed.

BN2HH12C.BIN
BN2HH110.BIN
BN2HH120.BIN
BN2HHMLD.BIN
BN2HN12B.BIN
BN2HN18B.BIN
BN2HN380.BIN
BNHH401A.BIN
BNHN404A.BIN

Until someone figures out which .bin file we are looking to modify, it will not do any good. Contrary to many peoples belief, the files on the ridgeline are different than the other systems listed on tsx.acruazine.com and the dumpnavi program does not work until I know what .bin file the ridgeline uses.

Do you know this info? Can you give me some procedures? I would like to try.

The TSX does not use the same navigation system as the Ridgeline. The Ridgeline shares the navigation unit with the Odyssey and the Acura RL. The Acura TSX and TL use a system that's one generation older.

I strongly recommend that you do not follow the link given. That information is incomplete and after receiving donations the author of the hacks disappeared.

The data does not apply to the Ridgeline and is of questionable origin. Beware.

And they said it couldn't be done... but it is.

Here are the trip computer and A/C control screens on the Ridgeline nav unit. Haven't got the A/C screen to actually work.

Will try and get better pics.

One more...

Before anyone asks... I am not at liberty to say how this was done. Still a work in progress and I have only been given permission to demonstrate that it is possible.

I really do wish I could give details, but I can't. Sorry!

Thank you, and who said it could not be done?

If you will be able to share this with fellow ROC mambers at some point in time, please let us know if you need any financial assistance for such.

CSIMO is the man.

Can anyone see the title on the XM was that a coincidence (UP YOURS) LOL, But one the other hand CSIMO YOU DA MAN cheers for all of the hard work, as far as the donations thing goes well you all seen what happened last time, but if your going to charge then tell us (me) up front i would gladly pitch in so dough, for a working trip and once again your hard work is appreciated

Thank you for sharing what you are able to share. Please don't get yourself into any trouble. BUUUT, ass soon as you can, please let us know how this was done! :D

OUTSTANDING! CSIMO, Do you think it will be possible for you to have both AC and Trip that work properly? (unless of course, you do already?)
I have been asking everyone (an Acura tech of 20 yrs, etc.) and have not been able to get any good info.

Thanks for your work on this!

OUTSTANDING! CSIMO, Do you think it will be possible for you to have both AC and Trip that work properly? (unless of course, you do already?)
I have been asking everyone (an Acura tech of 20 yrs, etc.) and have not been able to get any good info.

Thanks for your work on this!

Wish I could answer your questions, but at this time I can't say that we'll get either working properly. Right now the only way to access the trip computer is via the voice command "trip computer". It doesn't show on the touch screen menu as of yet.

Don't know about the A/C functions. Not a high priority.

Did try and see if it would be possible to extend the XM description field, but I think it's a hardware limitation of the factory radio. Not positive, but it would be nice to get the additional info contained in the XM stream.

I bought my Ridgeline May 20th. I really like this ride and the clincher is when my wife saw it her remark was that's the one for us. She bought the Ridgeline for me and took my 2004 Ford Escape for her ride. I think I got the better deal although I really do like the Escape. Also I'm working on burning a copy of the DVD for the 4.13C version to see if I can get it to work in the player changing the bit setting to make it a DVD-ROM on a DVD+R9 DL. Hope it works these things are expensive. Will let everyone know if it works. At least if it works we can make a backup of our orginal just in case.

Update... Tried to copy the DVD Navi made and ISO file and then tried to burn to DVD+R9 DL two copies failed to completion. Made a copy of the file that I copied to my HD and burned that one on to the DVD it did burn to completion but it doesn't work in the Navi system. So out of three DVD's I have a copy that don't work and two that are no good... for the cost of $25. I tried but it doesn't seem to work at least on my system.

very nice work.....my fingers are crossed.

Have you checked the trip, is it accurate or does it even work ...??

Your tease just makes it harder to understand the reasons why honda disabled it......"it really exists"

Congrats Cis.

Looking forward to when you get it ready for public consumption..I know all too well the pain of doing it before it's ready for prime time :)

-Drewbot

I wish i had some expertise here that would be of some use. The screen shots posted are making me salivate.

That trip computer just looks awesome.

Anyone make progress on replacing the startup screen? I went to that message board that was linked before but there wasn't any final results that I could see. Lots of speculation and attempts, but no "here's how I did it" info.

Thanks for any news!

Scott

Any way to contribute to the research, or would that require disclosing too much info?

Can you pm us instead???? ;)

Can you say whether or not you had to burn a new dvd or is there some code or sequence of buttons you pushed to activate it?

I wish I could report that all problems are solved and the update is easy, but that wouldn't be the case.

I'm relying on the spare time of others for technical assistance. I can't be too demanding.

There are legal issues of course. It's possible that Honda, Alpine, or NavTeq may not like what we're doing, but I don't see how it would be to their benefit to do so.

The result is that I can't even say what we've done.. what worked and what didn't work. Very frustrating.

If we can get to the point where we have something to offer then I can approach the necessary entities and find out if they have objections. Even if they do have objections we may have alternatives, but until we have a stable working model we're just putting the cart in front of the horse.

It is my opinion that Honda went to the trouble of eliminating the trip computer... by that I mean they apparently spent money to take it out of the nav system. I've heard their reasoning but it just doesn't make sense to me. Honda was more interested in surveys and opinions than they were in providing valid and valuable functions to the people who spent a lot of money for the vehicle. A very bad way to do business.

CSIMO

Just let me know what I can do to help :)

What would the legal issues be of modifying the nav? So long as you are not making a profit on it and it is not a service that otherwise would be paid for I don't see the harm or foul. Can you enlighten on the legal issues you are concerned about?

..."MENU" + "MAP/GUIDE" + "Cancel" for 5 secs enters standard diagnostics mode.

Then "GPS Information" button:

Then "MENU" for 5 secs and you get the "GPS Detail" screen.

You can also hit the "Delete" button and get other info.

Ok, I was just wondering where you see the "Delete" button, my GPS Information screen only has a "return" button. Holding down MENU here gets me to GPS Detail, which shows the GPS raw ephemeris data, including Horizontal and Vertical Dillusion of precision. (both are indicators of how good the "gps fix" is in accuracy. I think lower is better. The PRN is the sat number. ST is status (used in fix calc or not) AZI is azimuth, EL is elevation. I think C/N is a channel noise figure. Dunno what the ACC is.

Im ready to chip in whenever!! HOW EXCITING!!

I wish I could report that all problems are solved and the update is easy, but that wouldn't be the case.

I'm relying on the spare time of others for technical assistance. I can't be too demanding.

There are legal issues of course. It's possible that Honda, Alpine, or NavTeq may not like what we're doing, but I don't see how it would be to their benefit to do so.

The result is that I can't even say what we've done.. what worked and what didn't work. Very frustrating.

If we can get to the point where we have something to offer then I can approach the necessary entities and find out if they have objections. Even if they do have objections we may have alternatives, but until we have a stable working model we're just putting the cart in front of the horse.

It is my opinion that Honda went to the trouble of eliminating the trip computer... by that I mean they apparently spent money to take it out of the nav system. I've heard their reasoning but it just doesn't make sense to me. Honda was more interested in surveys and opinions than they were in providing valid and valuable functions to the people who spent a lot of money for the vehicle. A very bad way to do business.

I'd be willing to help in anyway I can. Just let me know.

It is likely that they would try to invoke the DMCA, as long as you publish only the methods to add the feature and not share the actual binaries you would likely be okay. The reason being is that you aren't defeating a copyright tool to provide someone with something they weren't already entitled to. The problem is that it has depended on how grumpy the judge has been when you arrive on their doorstep. The better approach would be to work directly with Honda to get permission to share modification techniques with others who own the hardware.

But if i own it cant i modify it?

But if i own it cant i modify it?

You don't "own" it. You have been granted a license by four different companies to use the software. The companies are:
Honda
Alpine
NavTeq
InfoUSA

They all claim copyright to the software.

Part of the license agreement prohibits disassembly of the code. Barring permission to disassemble the code the only remaining option is reverse engineering (very difficult). Even if you were to successfully reverse engineer the program you would then need permission to use the map data. A catch-22 situation.

There is an additional hardware glitch that has to do with the fuel meter. The Ridgeline apparently uses a different style fuel meter than the Acura RL or MDX. It reports back to the f-can bus in a different way than the others. If someone from Honda would PM me about this issue it would be appreciated (I think there are at least a couple Honda people here).

The whole thing would be much simpler and easier if Honda would just cooperate and do the right thing.

So if you get caught you get fined and jail time from 4 different companies? :eek:

Hmmm, maybe a better title for this thread would have been just " Trip Computer " ? as to not draw too much attention. :D :p

Careful Joe, Honda may wind up hiring you to get this done !! :D

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
Here is Version 4.13C:


Volume in drive E is BTM050S13C
Volume Serial Number is 0651-5A90

Directory of E:\

10/23/2003 07:52 PM 27,848 05M_14Wide.TTF
05/20/2004 05:32 PM 337,016 80000000.BMP
05/20/2004 05:30 PM 337,016 80000001.BMP
01/07/2005 12:27 AM 1,296 A0000_00.MNG
09/17/2004 01:27 AM 75,428,208 ARROW.BMP
10/01/2004 09:48 PM 1,530,354,345 DCA0.AR0
10/01/2004 09:52 PM 874,878,616 DCA0.AR1
10/01/2004 09:55 PM 833,463,141 DCA0.AR2
10/01/2004 10:31 PM 375 DCA0.REG
07/08/2004 10:55 PM 10,792,464 ENUS2FA0.LE
07/08/2004 11:03 PM 10,552,512 ENUS2MA0.LE
07/08/2004 11:06 PM 8,928,968 FRCA2FA0.LE
05/06/2003 11:50 PM 2,823,794 FRNCH2F.VC_
07/07/2004 04:00 PM 53,257,898 FR_ETB2F.VC_
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> HAWAII
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> MAPFONTS
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> MAPICONS
01/13/2005 04:29 AM 112 PRG_INFO.MNG
09/17/2004 01:27 AM 63,502,064 ROAD.BMP
01/15/2005 03:50 AM 4,013,171 S3VW.bin
01/15/2005 03:50 AM 21,376,335 S3VW2.bin
01/15/2005 04:19 AM 4,011,379 SHJA.bin
01/15/2005 04:19 AM 21,256,943 SHJA2.bin
01/14/2005 11:31 PM 4,001,223 SJAA.bin
01/14/2005 11:32 PM 22,684,799 SJAA2.bin
01/15/2005 04:40 AM 4,011,423 SJCA.bin
01/15/2005 04:41 AM 21,255,379 SJCA2.bin
06/22/2004 10:39 AM 70,256 SideShiftPart.bmp
10/07/2004 03:54 AM <DIR> SimpleBmp
03/25/2004 07:02 AM 1,972,080 Smplbmp.bmp
03/25/2004 07:02 AM 536 Smplbmp.idx
11/16/2004 07:15 AM 3,418,490,177 U0001_02.BAS
09/30/2004 03:43 AM 173,874,074 U0130_02.ROA
09/30/2004 03:43 AM 998,106 U2001_02.CIT
09/30/2004 03:43 AM 4,126,132 U2002_02.SIG
08/31/2004 07:26 AM 88,576 UPDATE_APL.exe
01/20/2003 10:11 PM 2,446,208 US_ENG2F.VC_
02/04/2003 03:57 PM 2,430,336 US_ENG2M.VC_
07/07/2004 04:08 PM 52,969,836 US_ETB2F.VC_
07/07/2004 04:16 PM 51,940,332 US_ETB2M.VC_
09/29/2004 08:24 AM 562,954,708 VRDB.BIN
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 504 d0.tbb
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 8,375,528 d0.tcr
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 10,320 d0_bsa.tbb
09/29/2004 10:55 PM 8,377,355 d0_bsa.tcr
09/29/2004 10:56 PM 85,865 dca0.evt
09/29/2004 10:56 PM 94,203 dca0_mod.evt
43 File(s) 7,856,601,457 bytes
4 Dir(s) 0 bytes free


Any luck on the correct .bin yet?

SJC = 2006 Ridgeline
S3V = 2005 Acura MDX
SJA = 2005 Acura RL
SHJ = 2005 Honda Odyssey

All four are the same basic nav system but the Acura RL has a completely different control style. The Ridgeline and Odyssey do not have the trip computer in the nav system.

Ahh, so its probably best to leave that program from another forum alone so as to not mess up the RL nav.

How come this forum has suddenly fell silent? Has a roadblock killed the idea?

I think it has more to do with this being a spare-time project for most involved and July being a big vacation time...

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

I think it has more to do with this being a spare-time project for most involved and July being a big vacation time...

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Yes, Csimo, please tell us you are on vacation just waiting to get back to this project and getting us a green light on flipping this switch! :D

Yes, Csimo, please tell us you are on vacation just waiting to get back to this project and getting us a green light on flipping this switch! :D

Wish I could tell you that! After putting our heads together we have come to the following conclusions:

#1 It appears that the trip computer can be enabled on the Ridgeline, but there are a couple of "issues". If it is to be enabled using nothing but software changes it will take more software work than we've been able to accomplish. If you change to an MDX style fuel meter it apparently works will few software changes.

#2 The people involved... myself included... are worried about the legal issues involved. Any software changes would be a violation of the License Agreement. Nobody knows if any of the four companies involved would choose to persue any violations, but the question comes down to whose neck is put on the line.

So we got to a working concept but don't know how to get beyond that point.

I'm still willing to do the online petition (which should have been the first step I guess), but I need a valid email address for someone at Honda. I already have the petition developed, and it might do some good. I could convert it to a mail-in petition, and I guess I'd be willing to mail them once a week or so, but in that case I would know who filled out the petition. If we do it via email no information is saved on my server and I never see the data.

Anyone willing to come up with a valid email address to Honda Customer Relations? I called and asked but they wouldn't provide one.

There was another Ridgeline forum that the online petition or something was called for. It was "SUT Forum" I think, I havn't been there for a while and don't know if that site is taking off or just another place for us to rehash the same stuff we see here.

I do have a question for you Csimo, is your trip computer fully functional or does the screen for it simply show up and not do anything? The pics you posted don't suggest that it is working currently.

On another note, I don't know that I want a running tally of my mpg (although miles to empty would be good) as i'm getting at best 18.5 mpg with lots of highway driving. :mad:

I love everything about this truck except for the fact that it's a pig! I'm still out there looking for some mods (air filters, chips, exhaust) that will help with gas mileage.

Finally got a call back from Honda today regarding the nav trip computer and door locks. The tier two guy gave me the stock answers about the misprint for the trip computer (said it was a screen shot from an MDX nav) and the inability to have all doors unlock (not just the drivers door). What was interesting regarding both of these issues was that he said Honda would not be able to provide a fix (software or otherwise) for either problem. He said that they would consider my input for future revisions of the RL, but would not be able to develop a software solution on the DVD to provide a trip computer. He also said that they had no way to fix the all-door unlock issue without a complete redesign of the system :mad:

Just another in a long line of confusing and contradictory responses from those AH guys (AH=American Honda, not A**Holes - unless you're really mad).

What is your issue with the door locks? Is it that you con't get all four door to unlock when you it the keyfob twice? I get mine to unlock that way. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your issue.

Also, Csimo got the trip computer to work, I'm assuming it's via software tweaking, so what he's saying must be false information. Unless all that Csimo got was a screen to come up that wasn't working, I don't recall if he answered my question as to whether that was a fully functioning trip set up.

Finally got a call back from Honda today regarding the nav trip computer and door locks. The tier two guy gave me the stock answers about the misprint for the trip computer (said it was a screen shot from an MDX nav) and the inability to have all doors unlock (not just the drivers door). What was interesting regarding both of these issues was that he said Honda would not be able to provide a fix (software or otherwise) for either problem. He said that they would consider my input for future revisions of the RL, but would not be able to develop a software solution on the DVD to provide a trip computer. He also said that they had no way to fix the all-door unlock issue without a complete redesign of the system :mad:

Just another in a long line of confusing and contradictory responses from those AH guys (AH=American Honda, not A**Holes - unless you're really mad).

What is your issue with the door locks? Is it that you con't get all four door to unlock when you it the keyfob twice? I get mine to unlock that way. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your issue.


It's about exiting the truck, not getting into it. When the driver stops and puts it in park only the driver's door unlocks. I have gotten used to releasing myself with the button on the armrest before pulling the door handle.

I've never had NAV before so I don't know what I'm missing with no trip computer, but I am sure I want it!

We just got our second call from Honda and we are saying we want this for the second time.

Truckin' is right, it's on the exit when only the drivers door unlocks. With 3 young kids, I can't hit the button fast enough before they are all yanking at the door handles trying to get out - drives me insane! - But I still love my RL.

I'll look at mine today but I think I solved this with the quick reference guide. How do I know? My girlfriend used to have the same problem, but when i fixed the "hit button twice to unlock all" I believe I fixed the door lock issue you speak of. Actually, I don't think mine lock at all now when I put it in drive. Check the quick reference.

This can be defeated by following BOTH procedures in the manual EXACTLY.

Also, Csimo got the trip computer to work, I'm assuming it's via software tweaking, so what he's saying must be false information. Unless all that Csimo got was a screen to come up that wasn't working, I don't recall if he answered my question as to whether that was a fully functioning trip set up.

What false information have I provided? None.

Did we get the trip computer and A/C functions working? I will not say. I did say that we believe a fuel system part would need to be changed for it to work properly, but I will not say if we actually did that or not.

There are people involved from two different companies that donaned their personal time to the "project", but they aren't willing to loose their jobs for this. I understand that.

Our concept was to enable the trip computer on the Ridgeline. We had hoped it could be done with only a few software changes, and that might be possible but we couldn't do it. It requires a minor hardware change, but how that change effects the rest of the system is beyond the scale of our project. Did we accomplish our concept? Yes. We believe we proved that Honda could in fact enable the trip computer for a minimal cost.

If it had been as simple as we originally thought I would have released the update on my own responsibility. The other people involved work in the development of navigation systems and had no idea that Honda would have created a new fuel system part that did not provide the data to the CAN-BUS.

I wanted a trip computer for my Ridgeline. I tell you that it is possible to make it happen.

This will be the end to the "public" side of this story. It's not my goal to make you or anyone else believe what I've said... don't need that in my life and I'm quite happy with the results of what I've done.

All names were changed to protect the innocent and CSI is now in the Honda witness protection program. :eek:

Glad you got the results you set out to get, im sure you spent hours upon hours doing it all. I still wish Honda would have just included the silly thing in the first place. :cool:

What false information have I provided? None.

Did we get the trip computer and A/C functions working? I will not say. I did say that we believe a fuel system part would need to be changed for it to work properly, but I will not say if we actually did that or not.

There are people involved from two different companies that donaned their personal time to the "project", but they aren't willing to loose their jobs for this. I understand that.

Our concept was to enable the trip computer on the Ridgeline. We had hoped it could be done with only a few software changes, and that might be possible but we couldn't do it. It requires a minor hardware change, but how that change effects the rest of the system is beyond the scale of our project. Did we accomplish our concept? Yes. We believe we proved that Honda could in fact enable the trip computer for a minimal cost.

If it had been as simple as we originally thought I would have released the update on my own responsibility. The other people involved work in the development of navigation systems and had no idea that Honda would have created a new fuel system part that did not provide the data to the CAN-BUS.

I wanted a trip computer for my Ridgeline. I tell you that it is possible to make it happen.

This will be the end to the "public" side of this story. It's not my goal to make you or anyone else believe what I've said... don't need that in my life and I'm quite happy with the results of what I've done.

csimo,

Thanks for the information we at least know that this can be done and maybe with enough of us owners sending in complaints they might do something about it (I'm not going to hold my breath on this) maybe not. By the response of a member here it looks like they are not going to fix this problem at least for us 06 owners anyway. I'm sure everyone here understands that you can't release info that would put others out of work I wouldn't want that. So everyone write the letters and lets see if we can get some movement from AH...

shovelhd, are you saying all your doors unlock when you put it in park or shut the engine off? I followed the instructions a dozen times to no avail... :confused:

No, I meant that both the auto lock and auto unlock features are completely disabled. It doesn't matter what gear the tranny is in. It doesn't matter of the truck is running or not. Everything is manual.

When I leave the vehicle, I lock the doors with one push of the lock button on the remote.

When I go back to the vehicle, I push the unlock button twice to unlock all four doors.

When I start the vehicle and drive away, the doors remain unlocked.

When I stop, all the doors are unlocked, until I hit the lock button again.

I want to publicly respond to an email message I received. I won't name the person, but the message accused me of misleading people into believing that a trip computer is possible with the Ridgeline. The person claimed that it was impossible to get a trip computer without major changes to the Ridgeline and Honda could not provide one even if they wanted to on existing Ridgeline's.

I had thought I posted my final message on the subject, but this prompts me to revisit the subject temporarily.

As I said earlier... a trip computer is possible with the Ridgeline. Honda went to the trouble to have the trip computer disabled in the nav system. There was no "adding" needed. As a matter of fact all the data is there even if you don't have the nav system!

Major changes needed? Absolutely not. I needed to make some minor changes because all the software changes would be more difficult. The fact is that the data exists in every stock Ridgeline to provided a trip computer.

Want absolute proof?

Want to add a trip computer to your Ridgeline?

You can get one (as ugly as it might be) at nearly any Radio Shack. It's called a ScanGauge and provides the trip computer info via the OBDII data.
http://www.scangauge.com/

Now Honda had the opportunity to do it in a much easier way since the nav system accesses the CAN-BUS and doesn't need the OBDII.

There's nothing magical about the nav system. Want to know the truth about it? I'm going to use the term "hacked" and "hacker" in the traditional sense... not as a term of an illegal act. Our nav system is nothing more than a hacked Sega Dreamcast. Same processor, same basic OS, many other components are the same. A good Dreamcast hacker could have the trip computer working in short order, but then that would cross that line and could be considered an illegal act.

To Honda... why not take the BS out of the game and give the people what they paid for? Why not just answer the damned question honestly?

Oh well... sorry about the tone of this message. I just got aggravated over the email.

Csimo, any chance you'll get fed up enough that you'd let the polite ROC members to find out how to do this via pm? :) I'll admit, I'm not hacker, I don't have the talent for it, I rely on people such as yourself to show us the easy way to do things.

On another note, is there any statute of limitations that runs out on the licensing agreement for this system, whereas after a specific date we can do as we choose? Assuming of course that we know what to do.

Csimo,
You are right. That scangauge is butt ugly!!!

Wanna know why we can't access the trip computer? It's real simple. IMHO, Honda mis-quoted MPG. There is a llot of political BS surrounding a honda getting 16-18 MPG

The fact is this, My Ridgeline does not and can not get 21 MPG


So they disable the Trip Computer so you can't see " The Actual"

Period 2 space.

Last tank 20.48mpg
Tank before that 20.01mpg

It can, it will, and it does.

Welcome DWdrums. Post a picture of your kit in the bed. :)

DWdrums.......I completely agree.

Good news is, I have over 15,000 km on mine and its starting to get better mpg..........

I'll be towing an inclosed trailor this weekend so it should be interesting to see what mpg I get

Honda certainly doesn't disable this because you can't get the EPA numbers because the EPA numbers don't belong to Honda anyway. Honda has no obligation to obtain the EPA numbers in everyone's driving conditions, these are simply estimates. Besides, anyone who believes any number the dash tells you for MPG without confirming it through fill-ups is just kidding themselves. My dash on my Civic Hybrid says I am getting 49.5MPG this tank, I know when I fill it up it will be closer to 45MPG. The Civic gauge for this is very optimistic.

The reason I have heard that seems the most plausible is that they didn't enable this feature because it is a feature of their more luxury vehicles and they didn't want to include it on the truck. Silly as though this seems given the price of the vehicle it certainly isn't a luxury vehicle.

The reason I have heard that seems the most plausible is that they didn't enable this feature because it is a feature of their more luxury vehicles and they didn't want to include it on the truck. Silly as though this seems given the price of the vehicle it certainly isn't a luxury vehicle.

Actually I was privy to inside info why the trip computer got disabled. It was all because Honda got bashed on a JD Powers survey for the MDX about MPG. Apparently some didn't know how to interpret the trip computer fully and freaked out they only got 10 mpg which was true enough but the owners didn't let it average out over time, they just saw the initial mpg for a short distance and cried foul. Honda is very sensitive about mpg and the almighty JDP results which many consumers use as the holy grail. Honda did not want to risk another bad JDP survey for the Ridge so they decided to disable the trip computer, gee thanks Honda, way to solve a problem.

Here's an article showing how sensitive Honda is about mpg. Basically an interview with their top U.S. engineer:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8272373/site/newsweek/

Actually I was privy to inside info why the trip computer got disabled. It was all because Honda got bashed on a JD Powers survey for the MDX about MPG. Apparently some didn't know how to interpret the trip computer fully and freaked out they only got 10 mpg which was true enough but the owners didn't let it average out over time, they just saw the initial mpg for a short distance and cried foul. Honda is very sensitive about mpg and the almighty JDP results which many consumers use as the holy grail. Honda did not want to risk another bad JDP survey for the Ridge so they decided to disable the trip computer, gee thanks Honda, way to solve a problem.

This is the problem with so many things these days. You buy a new saw at Home Depot, and you try to cut something with it and it doesn't quite cut the way you want. Instead of looking at the manual that came with the saw to find out it was never designed to cut the way you wanted, you go back and yell at the rep at the Home Depot. The public expects things to be dumbed down for them so they just don't even think anymore. I knew exactly what I was getting when I bought the truck, and yet because someone else is stupid, I lose features which would be helpful during a long trip, like how many more miles can I go and where are the next closest gas stations in range.

Here's an article showing how sensitive Honda is about mpg. Basically an interview with their top U.S. engineer:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8272373/site/newsweek/

I found the funny part at the end, they don't buy it just because it is economical, but because it also looks good. I can tell you that is very true, the Prius gets better gas mileage for our commute than the Civic Hybrid, but my wife thought the Prius was the ugliest car she had ever seen and refused to buy it. It is her car so it had to be something she liked so there you have it, we got into buying Hondas because the Prius was ugly.

I found the funny part at the end, they don't buy it just because it is economical, but because it also looks good. I can tell you that is very true, the Prius gets better gas mileage for our commute than the Civic Hybrid, but my wife thought the Prius was the ugliest car she had ever seen and refused to buy it. It is her car so it had to be something she liked so there you have it, we got into buying Hondas because the Prius was ugly.
Your lucky day. I say thank your wife. ;)

Last tank 20.48mpg
Tank before that 20.01mpg

It can, it will, and it does.

Welcome DWdrums. Post a picture of your kit in the bed. :)

My guess is you are one of only a handfull. The very best I ever got was just over 18mpg and that was with 80% highway miles. Overall I average between 16-17. Let's face it, as great as I (and I'm sure others) think this truck is, it's still a pig on gas. Which is why I am looking for anything aftermarket that will help this engine perform better.

My guess is you are one of only a handfull. The very best I ever got was just over 18mpg and that was with 80% highway miles. Overall I average between 16-17. Let's face it, as great as I (and I'm sure others) think this truck is, it's still a pig on gas. Which is why I am looking for anything aftermarket that will help this engine perform better.

I got just over 20 on the last tank and I only have 1100 miles on the Ridge.
70% highway and I am being easy on the noisy peddle until after breakin is done. (Which I guess will be fairly soon now.)

No, I'm not one of only a handful. Check the mileage thread. There's LOTS of people getting 19+ mpg. LOTS.

I could be that you're at altitude.
It could be that you use the climate control 24/7.
It could be that you use the cruise control on the highway.
It could be that you don't make an effort to get the truck into 5th gear.
It could be that you tow or carry a lot of weight often.
Or it could be that you drive aggressively.

This vehicle is very capable of getting 19-20mpg in the city. It's not a pig on gas. It's an all-wheel-drive vehicle for chrissake. You wanna see a pig? Try the competition.

Just to let everyone know I'd say the Ridgeline is right where they say it's to be between 16-21 mpg. with over 4100 mile the lowest I've gotten is 13.21mpg the highest is 21.28 mpg. The last 5 fillups avg mpg is 16.08 and the five before that were 18.69. I live in the DC Metro area where I deal with stop & go traffic, traffic jams all the time ect. I'm happy with the results and have and do enjoy everytime I drive this baby! I've got a 2004 Ford Escape V6 that gets the same gas mileage as my Ridgeline now which one is a better vehicle? Should be a no brainer... Ridgeline hands down...

Last tank 20.48mpg
Tank before that 20.01mpg

It can, it will, and it does.

Welcome DWdrums. Post a picture of your kit in the bed. :)


A H HA HHAH Will do today actually. Had a gig last tuesday night, everything fit perfectly. It was a great feeling. I gotta take all my stuff back to our studio today, so I will definetly take a pic

OK, as promised, my new Ridgeline. Packed with all my gear. I am fired up it all fits. I provided a couple of shots of my gear set up and then what it looks like in the Ridgeline.

Here is my kit set up:

http://www.planetinternet.net/images/set01.jpg
http://www.planetinternet.net/images/set02.jpg


Here is my kit in the back of my Ridgeline:

http://www.planetinternet.net/images/DSC01827.JPG
http://www.planetinternet.net/images/DSC01828.JPG

Also, in case anyone is interested, I tinted the wondows even more

Rears are at 32% drivers/passengers side and 16

LIFE IS GOOD. It's been hot up here in Auburn, Ca 95603 ( Sacramento Region) 110+ HOT


http://www.souldistortion.com/

OK, as promised, my new Ridgeline. Packed with all my gear. I am fired up it all fits. I provided a couple of shots of my gear set up and then what it looks like in the Ridgeline.

Here is my kit set up:



Here is my kit in the back of my Ridgeline:


Also, in case anyone is interested, I tinted the wondows even more

Rears are at 32% drivers/passengers side and 16

LIFE IS GOOD. It's been hot up here in Auburn, Ca 95603 ( Sacramento Region) 110+ HOT


http://www.souldistortion.com/


What's this got to do with hacking the nav? :confused: :confused:

What's this got to do with hacking the nav? :confused: :confused:

Because he asked.

Last tank 20.48mpg
Tank before that 20.01mpg

It can, it will, and it does.

Welcome DWdrums. Post a picture of your kit in the bed. :)

Any new info on this?

Screw the nav. Where's the pix of the kit?

:p

so this is basicaly not going to happen then...?

I was wondering the same thing tonight while driving home.....maybe an update will come soon.

its the missinng link............to happiness,.........no really, would be fun though.

I tried a dvd ver 4.31A and it works fine in my nav system, so if I had specific requests on what everyone needs tests I would be more than happy to help. It also shows this as the new dvd update for 185.00 online. The disk is silver in color.

I too loaded v4.31 DVD, no surprises here. Just seems to have as stated, updated POI's....:)

BUT....where is the trip computer...lol

I tried a dvd ver 4.31A and it works fine in my nav system, so if I had specific requests on what everyone needs tests I would be more than happy to help. It also shows this as the new dvd update for 185.00 online. The disk is silver in color.

At the Nav. DVD order site: https://iweb.alpine-usa.com/Hondadvdsales/naviorder.php

under "New Features"
it states "For RL, Ridgeline Navigation support added for rear camera accessory"

I don't have the rear camera "yet" but there are other threads discussing the DVD 4.31 upgrade and some were wondering what "new feature" would be associated or possibly linked to the rear camera.

Maybe you could research this but if you don't have the rear camera I suspect it will be difficult.

Joe

At the Nav. DVD order site: https://iweb.alpine-usa.com/Hondadvdsales/naviorder.php

under "New Features"
it states "For RL, Ridgeline Navigation support added for rear camera accessory"

I don't have the rear camera "yet" but there are other threads discussing the DVD 4.31 upgrade and some were wondering what "new feature" would be associated or possibly linked to the rear camera.

Maybe you could research this but if you don't have the rear camera I suspect it will be difficult.

Joe

The original software supported the rear camera just fine. From what I've been told by an "insider" is that in the new version they tried to eliminate a delay in activating the rear camera while the system was booting up. On the original version there was a few second delay if you started up the vehicle and immediately put it in reverse... the camera was not activated for several seconds while the system booted.

On the new version this delay is reduced... but apparently not by much. They consider it an improvement, but it does not solve the problem completely.

-Joe

We have the older version and the delay on the camera is not very long. I'd say about three seconds. If you start the truck first and then put on your seatbelt, but the time you shift the image is there. It's worth waiting for. That is the reason we all installed the camera, isn't it?

Has anyone upgraded or got a truck with the new version and the backup camera to report on the length of the delay?

The original software supported the rear camera just fine. From what I've been told by an "insider" is that in the new version they tried to eliminate a delay in activating the rear camera while the system was booting up. On the original version there was a few second delay if you started up the vehicle and immediately put it in reverse... the camera was not activated for several seconds while the system booted.

On the new version this delay is reduced... but apparently not by much. They consider it an improvement, but it does not solve the problem completely.

-Joe

Thanks csimo. That makes sense.

I was just wondering if the 4.31 had some fantastic update that would justify spending $185.00 for other than the new Map and POI data.

Your "insider" is a valuable friend. I called Honda and Alpine ordering and no one had a clue. Now I can stop wondering. Thanks again.

Joe

P.S. When are we going to get the Trip Meter? :D

just my 2 cents, I have the update, which my dealer purchased for me, and IMHO, its not worth it. You would be had pressed to find the POIs updated or added and there does not "seem" to be any additional functionality.

any new updates on this?

any new updates on this?

OK how do we hack XM radio so I can get Stern ?:D

OK how do we hack XM radio so I can get Stern ?:D
I wish the same thing.:D

OK how do we hack XM radio so I can get Stern ?:D
You can't be sirius!

I just picked up my RL last Friday. Read through this complete thread and expected to have some kind of answer by now. This issue looks like it just died. I still want the damn trip computer.....

Is Honda working on this? Is anyone still trying to hack the software?

Will the trip computer ever work?????????

Dan

I just picked up my RL last Friday. Read through this complete thread and expected to have some kind of answer by now. This issue looks like it just died. I still want the damn trip computer.....

Is Honda working on this? Is anyone still trying to hack the software?

Will the trip computer ever work?????????

Dan

Unless the guy who on this site that successfully hacked it will fill us in, I doubt you will know in this model year. I understand where he's coming from, because he is technically breaking the law with modifying the hardware/software and any passing along of this info could theoretically get him in trouble with the law. I'd love it if I was pm'd with this info so that I could do it on my own and use it for my personal use, but when you open up pandora's box, it's hard to get it closed again.

Dopey question....how do I tell which version of the navi software I'm running?

By the way...great forum! I purchased my RTL over the weekend...never thought I'd look forward to going to work (well, to the commute part, anyway.)

This hacking thread is pretty intense. A lot of man hours and sweat into it. I have a friend who unintensionally performed a vehicle hack years ago in a much simpler time.

It seams his Australian market '60s VW speedometer light burnt out, so he decided to pop off a 3" round piece of plastic near the speedo to access the bulb. After a quick twist of a flathead screwdriver, he had the suprise of his life. Underneath the cover was a fully functional tachometer! I guess it was cheaper for VW to install the tach on all of these cars and hide it from people unwilling to cough up the extra dough. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Anything new on this....?

Anything new on this....?

Yes, I wanna see that I'm getting 15mpg as I literally watch the gas needle drop like a rock in water....:D At least I'll be entertained as it drops that fast!;)

I think it's been clearly stated by Csimo that no additional information will be provided as it may open them up to potential litigation. As much as I would love to have a trip computer/AC controls on my truck, is it possible to have this thread locked?

Eric-

This is the USA... let others decide for themselves whether or not they want to risk litigation.

We don't burn books here in this country out of a desire to "protect" the authors.

"Censoring" this thread would be truly ridiculous.

Just ignore it if you don't like it. Bytes are cheap.

All I was saying is that there really isn't anything else that can be gained from this thread as the one person who had the knowledge of how to hack the nav has stated they would not tell us how to do it ourselves.

Roger that Eric. I apologize for over-reacting.

It's just that I hold freedom of information/speech, etc close to my heart. That's why I love the ROC so much... I've learned oodles more here than I would ever have learned in the owner's manual and all of the tech pubs combined.

Again, didn't mean to be and shouldn't have been as harsh as my "re-reading" of my post shows me I was...

By the way... I think we should be able to make back-up copies of our DVD movies too! :D

Boy, talk about off-topic! :rolleyes:

Bump











Bump

I think it's been clearly stated by Csimo that no additional information will be provided as it may open them up to potential litigation. As much as I would love to have a trip computer/AC controls on my truck, is it possible to have this thread locked?

I don't think there ever was a hack. Just smoke, mirrors and photoshop. If you can't produce, why post it?

kd4z, I am afraid that you are mistaken. What you are accusing Csimo of is, to say the least, harsh and uncalled for. Csimo is one of the most respected, credible and knowledgeable members on the ROC. He deserves much better. His reasoning for stopping exactly where he did is clear and unambiguous as stated in his posts. I really do not have any interest in participating in any kind of dispute here and will not continue beyond this post. I do not intend to offend you, I simply think that you are mistaken. I respectfully suggest that you edit or delete your post. I will do the same with this one so that we can just make this all go away, hopefully before he sees it.
Thanks

Well now. Seems like I live in the same country you do UltraHog so I expect I have the same right to an opinion as Csimo and yourself on this subject. So now we all know each other's opinion. That's one of the reasons we read this site.

I tend to base my opinions on fact or lack thereof. If you have seen the facts (proof in real life) on this matter, then you are certainly more motivated to Csimo's story than am I. If Csimo will show me the "goods", I'll alter my opinion-- but never tell me I should delete a post because you don't agree with it.

Now, if I told you I fixed the all-doors-unlock-in-Park issue in my RL with a 49 cent diode soldered on the back of the fuse relay assembly-- would you believe it?

Well now. Seems like I live in the same country you do UltraHog so I expect I have the same right to an opinion as Csimo and yourself on this subject. So now we all know each other's opinion. That's one of the reasons we read this site.

I tend to base my opinions on fact or lack thereof. If you have seen the facts (proof in real life) on this matter, then you are certainly more motivated to Csimo's story than am I. If Csimo will show me the "goods", I'll alter my opinion-- but never tell me I should delete a post because you don't agree with it.

Now, if I told you I fixed the all-doors-unlock-in-Park issue in my RL with a 49 cent diode soldered on the back of the fuse relay assembly-- would you believe it?

You have a right to believe anything you choose. You can call me anything in the book and it really won't matter much to me... I guarantee you I've been called worse (and they can't all be wrong).

Anyway... I can say that I don't own PhotoShop or any other photo editing software that I know of, and even if I did own one I wouldn't know how to use it. I have a hard time drawing stick figures much less editing photos. The only photo manipulation program I use is called Easy Thumbnails and I use it to resize pictures... it's free and easy. As a side note I see people post these nice pictures with red boxes or arrows pointing to certain features of the photo... I like those and wonder what they use to do such things (and is it simple).

The photo's I posted are not edited in any way, but you can believe what you will.

As for the door unlock issue... I posted long ago that this issue could be corrected for about $10 and explained how to do it in concept. The aftermarket module is cheap and I've used it on several vehicles over the years. Think I have an extra in the garage, but not sure. The only thing I never checked on with the Ridgeline is where to access the door lock wire, but that wouldn't take long. I don't know if a diode would work or not, but I do know the door unlock issue can be solved in other ways than the replacement fuse block.

ON EDIT: Here's the message I posted on 5/5/2005 on how to fix the door unlock issue. Long before the modified part was released by Honda. http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=919&highlight=module

-Joe

Just wanted to ask question to the members that have more knowledge. My brother has an Acura MDX that has what I believe is the trip computer and A/C controls on the his factory nav screen. Could the answer lie in the nav disc and if so could we use the Acura navi disc also and have those features unlocked on the ridgeline and odyssey. If this has already been discussed I am sorry for bringing in the same info.

Just wanted to ask question to the members that have more knowledge. My brother has an Acura MDX that has what I believe is the trip computer and A/C controls on the his factory nav screen. Could the answer lie in the nav disc and if so could we use the Acura navi disc also and have those features unlocked on the ridgeline and odyssey. If this has already been discussed I am sorry for bringing in the same info.

If it's a 2005 or 2006 MDX it uses the same exact DVD that the Ridgeline uses. You go by the color of the DVD. There's white, orange, and black (may be more). All that use the white DVD are the same, etc.

Each DVD contains the .bin files for all the models that use that color DVD. Your Ridgeline knows to only load the Ridgeline files, and the MDX will load different files... but all from the same DVD.

-Joe

Thanks for the work on this csimo. I know it has been a pain. I am curious, though, about something that I do not specifically remember being mentioned in the thread. If it was, I apologize for bringing it up again.

The navi disc is the same for a few different vehicles, but when booted up in the navi unit, the unit utilizes the information specific to that vehicle. Is it possible to replace the navi UNIT in the RL with one out of a Honda/Acura vehicle that does have the function and have it work? Many have said that it is the same system, just the trip computer in the unit was disabled. By now I am sure there are other H or A vehicles with trip computer navi systems that have found there way into a junkyard here or there. I would assume that the navi systems probe the vehicle electronics for the information to display on the screen (as stated earlier you can even use the OBD to access the trip information) and that the RL system is simply programmed to not ask or display the information. Did anyone try replacing the entire unit to see if that would work? If it would, then there is no need to violate any agreements or licenses by rewriting code, etc.

Sorry for the long drawn out question, but it got my wheels turning...

Sorry, but I have no idea if an MDX unit will work in a Ridgeline or not. Interesting idea, but I've never looked into it, or even heard of anyone looking into such a possibility.

-Joe

I wonder if Alpine, the manufacture would have the answer.

Just more fodder for the fire: Lots of others out there working on this

http://www.linuxkiddies.com/bysin/navi.zip/

I'm not a "bit" level guy myself, work on the network side of things but I suspect any significant changes would require mods such as the ones discussed at the web link above. For me on a 1 month old truck it would have to be pretty much a turn key fix for me to try it. Never know when something gets written to a ROM or something else that requires a trip to the dealer. My hats off to anyone willing to experiment. I need atleast 6 months before I consider these kinds of hacks.

jon

Ok, Well I contacted a service person from Acura and he told me that the DVD unit in MDX is different then the one in the Ridgeline. I was really hoping that he was wrong however, he seem to think it will not work. I am upset about this hopefully someone will figure it out...

Also, I did make a working copy of the DVD and it seems to be working fine. I have not found any problems with the copy. The DVD used is a double layer disk and will hold 8.5 gigs instead of 4.7 gigs. I hope that Honda will reconsider and enable that part of the software.



:)

I don't know where the software for the trip computer is, but the display and controls for the trip computer in my 05TL are not on the navi display. This just might mean that there is no hack to provide this in the TL.

I tried with a ripped DVD where I had switched the RL filenames for the MDX files, but it failed to load after about 30 seconds of looking like it was going to do something. I figured that it would ultimately fail anyway, but was worth a try. I wasn't too worried about messing up the firmware, as you can always baseline it again from the oem disk. It's annoying when you look at the diagnostic screen on the RL, as it clearly lists Trip Computer and AC under the installed software list, but with a dash for each instead of the version number.

Just more fodder for the fire: Lots of others out there working on this

http://www.linuxkiddies.com/bysin/navi.zip/

I'm not a "bit" level guy myself, work on the network side of things but I suspect any significant changes would require mods such as the ones discussed at the web link above. For me on a 1 month old truck it would have to be pretty much a turn key fix for me to try it. Never know when something gets written to a ROM or something else that requires a trip to the dealer. My hats off to anyone willing to experiment. I need atleast 6 months before I consider these kinds of hacks.

jon
That software doesn't work with post'04 vehicles.

thanks!

Jon

I don't know much about the Trip Computer or the AC, but I think I can change the opening "Honda Navigation" screen. In the last couple of minutes I've managed to extract the image from the sjca2.bin file by using the bysin.exe program on one of the other forums. Next I need to try using the same program to replace the image with another, then burn a CD and see if I get the Navi to take it. I'll hopefully get time tomorrow.

I tried with a ripped DVD where I had switched the RL filenames for the MDX files, but it failed to load after about 30 seconds of looking like it was going to do something. I figured that it would ultimately fail anyway, but was worth a try. I wasn't too worried about messing up the firmware, as you can always baseline it again from the oem disk. It's annoying when you look at the diagnostic screen on the RL, as it clearly lists Trip Computer and AC under the installed software list, but with a dash for each instead of the version number.

Has anyone thought to look into the existence of a seperate software loading disk not available to the public? The CDs we have access to may only provide programing for existing unlocked software including the trip computer. Since we cannot identify the exact funcyion on each file, we have no idea what each file does. Never forget KISS. It may be as easy as findign the Alpine prgraming disk that will give us the option of unlocking the trip computer. What do you think, Csimo

Has anyone thought to look into the existence of a seperate software loading disk not available to the public? The CDs we have access to may only provide programing for existing unlocked software including the trip computer. Since we cannot identify the exact funcyion on each file, we have no idea what each file does. Never forget KISS. It may be as easy as findign the Alpine prgraming disk that will give us the option of unlocking the trip computer. What do you think, Csimo

I think Honda could have Alpine release an update that would enable the trip computer functions anytime they chose to do so. The fact is that Honda does not want to cooperate with the wishes of their customers. They have a right to do so, but they should also realize that Honda's lead on NAV systems is deteriorating rapidly and their competitors may be more willing to listen to the wants of their customers. NAV systems was the only electronics industry segment that Honda held a lead in.

This is nothing but a hard headed action on the part of Honda to decide that they know better than their customers. I'm sure this decision has already cost them customers and will only get worse as the competition gets better.

Would someone at Alpine cooperate? Certainly not officially, and I doubt anyone would offer a person at Alpine enough money under the table that they would be willing to risk losing their job.

The hacking could be done, but someone with the knowledge and time would have do dedicate themselves to the project. They would then be in violation of several copyrights. Who would be willing to distribute the hack and risk civil and possibly criminal penalties?

-Joe

Well, I would think before we can judge to see if someone would do it under the table, we need to verify the existence of such a CD.

then if it does exist, I would want to know if the CD is available at the dealership level. I have an inside contact with a dealership and if they can get it, I can get it.

That isi why I asked.

Well I received a phone call from Honda today confirming that they received my letter. I spoke to Chris and he understands our concern about the trip computer. He told me that he turned it over to an engineer and that they have been receiving many emails, calls and USMail about this. I think we are doing something right. Remember the squeaky wheel gets the greese. I suggest that you write a letter or call him @ 1.800.999.1009 Ext 118178

Nice going, lets keep the FIRE alive.

Tom

Will be placing a call to Chris tomorrow...

I went to the Acura Dealer Today (Sat) and I have a good contact now. He brought out a DVD that works in MDX and the TL and it is the same as the one that I have in the Ridgeline. He is going to make some calls this week and see if there is a way to make it work.. We inserted the Acura DVD and there was nothing that indicated a computer for gas mileage nor anything that controls the A/C. Neither displayed anything on the NAV screen. I need more help from you guys, tell me what should we be looking for. Is it suppose to display on the NAV screen or what. This guy will help me however I need to help him alittle. More Info is what we need. What was the source that said it would work.. He has contacts that can get us what we need, however he need to know what we are talking about..

Please reply,

:)

Good thread!

I found it looking for a trip computer hack for my 06 Civic EX Sedan w/Navi.

Really burned me when I found no trip computer in the way over priced Navi.

I think its awful they dont put a trip computer in every car/truck they build Navi or not. Honda really plays up there,,, we are green, our mpg is great ,, yada yada.

All the data is there. Very frustrating what Honda has done indeed. I complained in writeing and by telephone to custmer service.

My solution was to buy a very ugly ScanGauge. Ive had it two months or so,, and then they come out with a new one thats not as ugly, smaller and will have usb and data logging.

I sure hope Honda listens to Ridgeline and Civic owners about the no trip computer thing. I would really like to meet the person or persons that headed up this disicion. I can asure you it would be very unplesant meet and greet for them. Very unplesant!

Any progress on this project?

Anyway we can help?

G

No progress, no joy. Any ideas?

i can tell you that on the '04 TL (older generation navi), the files were all in the bin just not linked in the on screen menus. There has also been good progress made with a modifed version of TSX utility that works with the newer Honda nav units. Unfortunately, my ridgeline isn't here right now, so i can't look at the disc to see what i can find.

I believe its possible to get the screens up with some software tweaks, but i have no clue about the data on them. It was stated here by someone far smarter than i that modified hardware would be needed to get this working right.

I can tell you that the TL required only 1 modified file and it enabled AC, Trip and a button to access the diag menus all from the info screen.

theres a sizable number of files that are different between the ridgeline and the others that have this feature. probably over my head. here's to hoping someone else comes along to the rescue...

Looks like this effort may be stalled, but as I just got my Ridgeline and I am very interested in making it happen. I was able to copy the factory DVD and the copy is working in my NAV. I used Verbatim DVD+R DL rated for 2.4X. The software was Roxio Creator Classic using Data Disk mode. I set it for DVD-ROM as well.

I am a programmer, and just got my ridge on Jan. 9th. I was very bummed to hear that there is no trip computer by default and then excited to read that it *may* be able to be enabled with software. I have actually done a bit of reverse engineering in the past, so I checked out the files on the DVD... It seems that the file structure is different than it was in the 04's models of other vehicles that were hacked in the past... Those hacks relied on modifying exe files inside the bin file. I extracted the bin, and instead of having that data in exe files, they seem to be contained in dll files now. This is unfortunately a bit above my head. All my "hacks" (white-hat, i swear) in the past have been with windows programs, where I could run the program and debug in real time. I wouldn't even know where to begin trying to hack these files :(
Bummer!

Here's a starting point. The splash screen has been done. No news on the nag screen or trip functions yet.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5604

Here's a starting point. The splash screen has been done. No news on the nag screen or trip functions yet.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5604

Thanks! I actually got the files extracted fine, and I found the nag screen text in HMIManager.dll in the 07Touch2.bin file... unfortunately, after using a hex editor to edit the nag screen, I was not able to get the dll back into 07Touch2.bin. I gave up at that point. I was really excited about having the ability to at least change that nag text, even if I couldn't get rid of it completely... :(
I will have to try the splash screen edit.

This has rekindled my interest in this whole subject. I'm in the process of extracting all the files and have installed the Windows CE emulator on my PC. I'm wondering if the trip computer is related to Telemetrics.exe. AirconProcess.exe and AirConControl.dll look promising too.

This has rekindled my interest in this whole subject. I'm in the process of extracting all the files and have installed the Windows CE emulator on my PC. I'm wondering if the trip computer is related to Telemetrics.exe. AirconProcess.exe and AirConControl.dll look promising too.

Any idea which is the boot program?

I have IDA PRo_5.0.0.879_advanced but not sure how to get started with the dissambly or which file to start with.

Ok, so I have spent a bit of time playing with the disassembled code...
I really don't have the time to really devote to this for the next couple of weeks... too many work commitments... but, it seems like all we would need to do is find the jump reference that calls the suspend mode if OK isn't pressed, and find the jump reference that calls the normal mode of OK is pressed. once we have those two... we would simply need to change it so that if OK isn't pressed, it calls normal mode instead of suspend mode... OR what would be even less annoying... we could call the normal mode instead of calling the nag screen in the first place. just ideas.. what do you think?

To be honest I've been concentrating on the Trip Computer functionality, but your reasoning on the OK button seems logical. Talk about a needle in a haystack. Hopefully it will get easier as the pieces fall into place.

To be honest I've been concentrating on the Trip Computer functionality, but your reasoning on the OK button seems logical. Talk about a needle in a haystack. Hopefully it will get easier as the pieces fall into place.

If any of you are still interested in this hack, I've made some progress in manipulating the BIN files.. If you are, then reply and I will post my findings.

I would like to hear your findings??????
Post them?????

If any of you are still interested in this hack, I've made some progress in manipulating the BIN files.. If you are, then reply and I will post my findings.

Are you working with version 4.31 or 4.55. It's my understanding that quite a bit changed on 4.55.

Yes, I would be interested. Feel free to email (address below) or send me a PM as well.

I'm interested as well.:)

To join the bandwagon, I am very interested.

The suspense is killing me!! Yes, yes, please fill us in!! :D

I think we all would like to know.:rolleyes:

Well, I'm going to jump in on this as well, I'm curious to know.

Talk about drama, fill us in?

Well, I did find a anti-nag screen hack, not sure if this has been tested or tried on the Ridgeline yet.

http://linuxkiddies.com/projects/navi/

Gotta have all the details. The suspense is killing me. By all means, post the info!!!!!!! And as always, a big thank you!!!!:eek:

I'm very interested in the outcome. I recently purchased (2 weeks and loving it) a 07 RTL w/nav and stupid me didn't even think that a truck with everything the Ridgeline had on it wouldn't come with a simple thing like a trip computer. When I got it home and realized it I was furious. Contacted the dealer and got the news. Next step was search the internet for answers. That's how I found ROC. Love the forums and all the info. Thanks for everyones time looking into this. Please keep us posted!!

Kevin

Would love to have the hack to upgrade this new truck. It would be nice if we did not need to hack it and get this from Honda. Like that will happen!!!!
Please update us to keep this post current.

Well, I did find a anti-nag screen hack, not sure if this has been tested or tried on the Ridgeline yet.

http://linuxkiddies.com/projects/navi/

Bysins' no-nag hack is for '04 vehicles only. The Ridgeline's binaries don't include an executable called navi.exe

I'm very interested in the outcome. I recently purchased (2 weeks and loving it) a 07 RTL w/nav and stupid me didn't even think that a truck with everything the Ridgeline had on it wouldn't come with a simple thing like a trip computer. When I got it home and realized it I was furious. Contacted the dealer and got the news. Next step was search the internet for answers. That's how I found ROC. Love the forums and all the info. Thanks for everyones time looking into this. Please keep us posted!!

Kevin

Glad to have you aboard the ROC!! You can FIND pretty much ANYthing you have a QUESTION for!! Again, Welcome to the ROC!

Gotta have all the details. The suspense is killing me. By all means, post the info!!!!!!! And as always, a big thank you!!!!:eek:

I appologize for my late posting- in the past few weeks I have found out more about embedded Windows CE/Platform builder, and Alpine's proprietary navigation system than I ever wanted to know.. I've gone in many many directions and spent so much time on this and let me tell you, its been very frustrating.. First let me say this- I have not yet rid myself of the pesky NAG screen, but a hack will be forethcoming VERY soon- my confidence stems in a breakthrough I made only today-- but a picture speaks a thousand words, so look at this:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5531/navigationyo0.jpg


Why is this important you say? Because any prior attempt at hacking HMIManager.dll (for '06 & '07) to get rid of the nag screen resulted in the car rejecting it upon upload. Basically, I found out the flash program is doing a 8 or 16 bit Checksum on HMIManager and perhaps a few other modules-- The backwards "This" in the above picture retains the original 16-bit checksum of "B171" because a low level checksum cannot detect bytes that have been re-arranged. (Note, this is the checksum of the original 07touch2.bin romimage-- if you've changed your splash screen, the checksum will be different-- the flash program doesn't checksum the entire BIN file) Now, if you replace the word "This" with empty space or something, the checksum will definitely change. So ultimately, the key is to write a hack that keeps the correct sum OR get rid of that check entirely. I haven't attempted this yet because I was completely stuck on the car rejecting all my modified hacks.

Also note- HMIManager is a module that is located between 4 different sections of the BIN file, so extracting it and re-inserting it is not really an option. (I've talked to a few different programmers about this) But, just hex editing the main bin file (07touch2.bin for me) directly will suffice because the module is not compressed. Anyway, let me know your thoughts.. I'm excited about seeing this thing through to the end.

Oh yeah- just so you know, I actually have an 07 Acura TSX- but obviously, it's the same system as the ridgeline. I posted to this forum because there seems to be a lot of people on here that know what they're doing.

Thanks for the work on this. On the 06 Ridge, the nag text is in HMIUtility.dll in sjca2.bin. I haven't tried any substitution yet, or identified the call or OK button wait routine.

seems to be a few techies here. i've read this whole thread and i'm impressed.

wondering if you can possibly help with a similar situation on the 07 Acura RL base model. it isn't that Acura deleted trip computer functionality, that is there, it is that Acura decided only to activate the Navi system on the 07 RL's that have the Tech package which is a $4k option (unlike the 05 & 06 RL's that all come standard with Navi).

i normally wouldn't complain, except that in the RL all of the equipment necessary for the Navi is there: screen, buttons, GPS antenna, DVD-ROM drive in trunk, etc... You can even push a "Compass" button (on the Navi RL's it is the "Map" button) and in the base RL you can see GPS coordinates including Lat, Long, and Altitude.

So other than one button be labeled differently, and not having a Nav DVD disc in the player in the trunk (there is a Navteq GPS CD-ROM disc instead), I can't see any reason why Navi could not be enabled by some kind of "hack" on the 07 Base RL's.

Is anyone willing to help?

http://rl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3380
http://rl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4288

forgot to thank in advance.

synstsia: Any progress on the hack? We are several users here in Europe that is interested of the outcome :)

[QUOTE=csimo;13309]Before anyone asks... I am not at liberty to say how this was done. Still a work in progress and I have only been given permission to demonstrate that it is possible.

I really do wish I could give details, but I can't. Sorry![/


PAY PAL LET ME KNOW WHAT EVER

What are you talking about?

Let me give an update on this issue. I still receive a few emails every week asking for an update or instructions, etc. I answer all of them.

I've personally discussed this issue with the top people at Honda. They are completely aware of our feelings on this issue. They are very clear that they made the decision to eliminate the trip computer functions because when people could see their MPG on demand it resulted in lower customer satisfaction ratings.

There were at least three people collecting the petitions at one time or another. Two of them are gone and I have no idea what happened with those petitions. I received about 100 petitions that I sent to Dick Colliver twice. People still fill out the petition today (three in the last 7 days), but to send them to Honda again is really pointless. I should probably take the petition web page down.

Honda will not budge on the issue. Not a chance.

The Ridgeline has always been missing one component (a fuel meter) that would have been required to make the system fully functional, but that data (although not as accurate) is still available via OBDII data.

There have been several software updates to the navigation system since this thread was started. I can't say exactly what has happened, but it appears that Honda/Alpine has taken additional steps to make sure none of the features can be enabled. There are also Copyright issues involved of course.

A viable option is a ScanGauge or similar device. Not nearly as accurate as a factory installed trip computer would be, but honestly the ScanGauge is pretty good and gives a lot more info. I have no connection with them in any way... just personal experience.

I always like to hear from ROC members, and many have made generous offers via email, but the truth is I can't help you with this issue, and will just give the same info as posted above.

From what I know about future Honda nav systems... be happy that we have the one we do. The ease of use is not good and Honda seems to be going in the wrong direction. Very sad... Honda/Acura/Alpine had the best in the industry, but they've done little or nothing to improve the system (while others have). Now they start removing features. Strange.

I wish this issue had a different ending.

All I ever wanted to do was change the start up screen image. Was that ever figured out, in a way that an average person could handle?

Thanks!

Scott

All I ever wanted to do was change the start up screen image. Was that ever figured out, in a way that an average person could handle?

Thanks!

Scott

Scott, your question is answered within this thread. Search the thread using the search tool labeled "Search this thread" and by using a combination of key words, you should be able to locate what you are looking for.

All I ever wanted to do was change the start up screen image. Was that ever figured out, in a way that an average person could handle?

Thanks!

Scott

Yes, you can do that!

There's a thread here on ROC with good instructions.

This has been done, you just need to find the thread. Do do a search on Navigation Screen. It tell you exactly what to do.

http://www.members.cox.net/ridgeline06/dvdstartup.jpg

:confused: Ok... I was sitting around and watching Indiana Jones and the Serch of the Lost Ark and I came up with this idea. I am not good with hacking into anything but I was thinking that there has to be a way to enable MP3 playback and RDS from the radio.. I highly doubt that Alpine (The maker of the Navi) would install a whole new software and hardware from any of their other navi's. So do you guys think there is a lock on these features inside the software? Once again it is just an Idea that popped in my head... What ya think? :confused:

I have a 2008 RTL w/Nav. There is a beautiful young woman in the back ground that tells me when to turn and what road and things like that. However, she doesn't know I've spent the last 25 years in a Melt Shop, and my hearing is less then perfect, in fact it darn right sucks.

Has anyone any knowledge they can share with me, to turn the little lady up abit? A volume control for the NAV responses?

How about a way to reset thevolume controls on the radio? At "40" the radio is just starting to sound good to my bad ears, but that 's it maxed out... Is there a quick solution? Thanks :rolleyes:

I have a 2008 RTL w/Nav. There is a beautiful young woman in the back ground that tells me when to turn and what road and things like that. However, she doesn't know I've spent the last 25 years in a Melt Shop, and my hearing is less then perfect, in fact it darn right sucks.

Has anyone any knowledge they can share with me, to turn the little lady up abit? A volume control for the NAV responses?

How about a way to reset thevolume controls on the radio? At "40" the radio is just starting to sound good to my bad ears, but that 's it maxed out... Is there a quick solution? Thanks :rolleyes:

You can turn the NAV lady up in the setup. Press the info button, it's in there somewhere. I'll hafta check when I get home...have the bike today.

I have a 2008 RTL w/Nav. There is a beautiful young woman in the back ground that tells me when to turn and what road and things like that.

If you can see a beautiful young woman in there, your eyes are pretty good. I can hear her but as hard (and often) as I look - I can't see her. lol :)

Like Luder62678R1, I know you can turn it up but don't remember off the top of my head. I'll check back later and if Luder62678R1 hasn't answered your question, I'll go find the answer. I do remember seeing it in the owners manual somewhere. It wasn't to difficult....

Off the top of my head I believe it's in the Set Up menu. On the second page I think... Somethings in life are just done and not thought about. This just may be one of those things... :o

Ok, I checked it out while I was out to lunch. Press the Info button and then press setup on the touch screen. From here it's called "Volume" and it's the second option from the top. Press the right arrow on the touch screen next to this option to increase the volume.

Tell the young woman hi for me!

If you can see a beautiful young woman in there, your eyes are pretty good. I can hear her but as hard (and often) as I look - I can't see her. lol :)

Like Luder62678R1, I know you can turn it up but don't remember off the top of my head. I'll check back later and if Luder62678R1 hasn't answered your question, I'll go find the answer. I do remember seeing it in the owners manual somewhere. It wasn't to difficult....


All you have to do is miss 1 turn though and I will just bet you she aint gonna be your vision of a beautiful lady,,,more like a nag ya want to throw out of the car,,,lol,,,i said turn around ,,,,turn right you have passed your turn etc etc,,,:D

How about a way to reset thevolume controls on the radio? At "40" the radio is just starting to sound good to my bad ears, but that 's it maxed out... Is there a quick solution? Thanks :rolleyes:

I think there is an aftermarket device called a hearing aid:D

All you have to do is miss 1 turn though and I will just bet you she aint gonna be your vision of a beautiful lady,,,more like a nag ya want to throw out of the car,,,lol,,,i said turn around ,,,,turn right you have passed your turn etc etc,,,:D

There's a wife joke in there somewhere, but I'm not touching it. Not me. No sir. And I have no problems hearing my wife. She needs no volume control. (a mute might not be a bad thing.... :D )

You can turn the NAV lady up in the setup. Press the info button, it's in there somewhere. I'll hafta check when I get home...have the bike today.


You guys are so right... Now that I can hear her, she seems like a bit of a nag... Why didn't you stop and ask directions...? Why didn't you stop at that garage sale? Why are you always so late...?

Maybe I'll turn her back down...LOL

Really Guys, thanks for the help, it was reall quite easy once you told me where.

As for the hearing aid... Well I could say a lot, but I will simply say, adding a hearing aid for my kind of hearing loss is simply going to amplify the silence not the sound. But thanks anyhow for the advice...... :o

As for the hearing aid...
Just turn down your rap music... :p

First let me say this- I have not yet rid myself of the pesky NAG screen, but a hack will be forethcoming VERY soon- my confidence stems in a breakthrough I made only today-- but a picture speaks a thousand words, so look at this:

Anyway, let me know your thoughts.. I'm excited about seeing this thing through to the end.

I've been poking through this too -- any progress yet? Assembler makes my head spin.

http://www.vistabug.com/bb/viewtopic.php?id=4

has anyone seen this about the navi hack.

http://www.vistabug.com/bb/viewtopic.php?id=4

has anyone seen this about the navi hack.

Unfortunately that hack won't work on the Ridgeline. We use a newer version of the software.

http://www.vistabug.com/bb/viewtopic.php?id=4

has anyone seen this about the navi hack.

Yes, but the code is completely different from the Orange discs (3.5x) and our White discs (4.xx) From my understanding, there is also a consistency checker build into the newer Navis that check the files and if anything is astray it won't load.

The MAN gets you every time. I would love to have a trip computer. . .