re-wiring to keep vdc off
 

does anyone know how to re-wire the vdc so that the default setting is OFF? as it is now, it's always on until you push the button to turn it off. i want it the other way around (OFF all the time, until you push the button to turn it ON).

i find the vdc to be very intrussive and annoying, even for street driving.

at the auto-x, i forgot to turn it off on two of my runs. i realized it by the first corner but i got all flustered fumbling around to switch it off and it ruined my times.

it shouldnt be too hard for someone with an electrical background.

thanks.

Shouldn't be too hard for you to just remember to push the button every time you start the car. Also, I do not believe that the system is simply electrical based (as in a switch that pops the button back into the 'on' position every time there is no motricity under the hood). More over, my guess is that it is a computer-based function hardwired into the ECU, as basically all safety precaution systems are nowadays.

Yea - not worth messing w/ the internals of the wiring... I am assuming the switch is a toggle that defaults to "on" - so all you need to do is send a + signal via the lead wire every time you start - you should talk to KPTechnologies - should be around g35driver

I guess you could put a relay in that switches (and then sends power/ground down the VDC button) when you go to ignition-on.

I personally would put a post-it right on the windshield so i don't forget, instead :p

LOL honestly - dont know why cars dont make the VDC a toggle switch - like the window locks... so you can pick one that you like and leave it that way... if a vendor could make one of those - I would imagine it would sell really well :) (are you vendors listening?)

I guess the manufacturers don't because if an idiot had it off and wrecked, he could sue them for not making it come on automatically. Its sad that we live in that type of society.

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...est-drive.html
Someone DID wreck it without VDC on :shakes head:

he said he "....certainly DIDNT turn it off....."

but anyway, manufactures have it "on" as the default setting just for liability issues b/c there are probably plenty of ppl out there who would push harder than they can handle.

just last week, a mini cooper ate it big time, right in front of me! i was getting off the freeway, as he was coming on. there was a truck in front of me also exiting. i dont know what the mini driver was thinking, but he accelerated hard to try to pass both me and the truck. i thought to myself, "where the heck is he going? no way he's gonna make it".

sure enough, at the last second, he realized he was not going to make it (the two lanes merged into one), so he hit the brakes hard, swerved right to avoid the truck, and his tail started sliding around. he hit the curb hard, and bounced off of it, getting a little air as it happened. did a 180 right in front of the truck, hit and jumped over the divider (b/t the exiting lane and freeway) and ended up facing the wrong way (towards on-coming traffic) on the freeway! a car on the other side of the freeway was heading straight for him. he slammed on the brakes just barely avoiding a head on with the mini. it was a young 20 something dude. he must have been ******** in his pants.

just a reminder that it's ok to have fun, but KNOW YOUR LIMITS! i felt bad for him b/c i remember what it's like at that age. i did some stupid things also, but luckily for me, i've always had good enough judgment to NOT do it when other cars/ people are around.

warranty is out the window if you do the modification somehow

In my Supra they had traction control, same as the Z it had a button you turned off and th default was on. However, what we would do is remove the fuse to disable it which in turn also removed the speed limiter ;-) So one option is checking your fuse box to see if there is a fuse for it. The only annoying thing is that you may get a blinking light. The good news is the timing is not adjusted so the car usually runs slightly better.

I have not looked over this on the Z so if there is some type of manual with more info you may want to reference that so you don't screw anything up.

That's exactly why it's designed such as it is.

Would anyone be interested in running a group buy on the KPtechnologies module?

Eh, I would probably want to see some reviews first; but I would be interested in it. I had a reserse module for my f-bods.

It's been on the market for 5+ years, you should be able to find some reviews somewhere for it.

From a hardware perspective I can tell you that the input/output wire is current limited both directions, it is microcontroller based (running at 1.2mhz), has a full automotive grade power supply, is assembled on high quality, production grade circuit boards, utilizes genuine Molex wire harnesses, and comes enclosed in a high quality plastic enclosure. We don't use any cheap parts in manufacturing these things!

Also, one other thing to keep in mind, this isn't a simple "reverse" module that gives you no control over the system. This is an intelligent "memory" module - if you shut VDC off it keeps it off until YOU turn it back on, regardless of how many times you restart the car. Like wise, if you turn VDC on (for a rainy day or because the wife is driving the car), it will keep VDC on until you turn it back off.

I'm sure I could find reviews, but not on the 370. Is the idea that if they work well on one car, they should work well on all?

What's the warranty?

It's got a great rep for the 350z, should be just as good on ours since the 370 is just a refinement and not a whole new car

Thats a good point - to my knowledge no one with a 370Z has bought one of these.

I took a look at the service manual and the wiring is the same - the VDC button is a light green wire, the ground is a black wire (both at the VDC switch). The only other wire that needs to be connected is a switched ignition wire that can be found at the fuse box (a meter will be needed to find a circuit that can be used).

I also added a coupon code to the KPtech website - enter "370Z" when checking out to save 20% off your order price! This offer is valid until Sep. 27th, 2009! Hopefully this will allow some 370Z owners to purchase some products and write reviews about them!

Every module comes with a 30 day money back guarentee (minus shipping of course). The stated warranty period is one year from date of purchase, but to this date we've never denied warranty on anything with our name on it.

Great discount, I may take you up on that since there is a money back guarantee. Cheers mate http://www.fireflyfans.net/smiley%5Ccheers.gif

nice :tup: i may have to take you up on this offer, i would like to have the window up module...

This offer ends Sunday night - thus far we haven't had anyone take us up on it!

im gonna wait till x-mas time to do a lil shopping and pic up one then for auto up windows...

I only didn't take you up because the one I purchased before was a simple plug n play for idiots like me. This one looks like I will have to actually play with wiring, without the benefit of someone doing it first and taking pictures :icon17:

is there anyway you can extend the 20% off offer. i'm definitely buying if you extend the offer. thanks.

I have no idea if this will work for the 370, but I found this tutorial for the 350 with a google search.

Building an auto VDC off module

Has anyone tried out the KPtech module yet to shut off the VDC? There was some interest back in August but no one then took the plunge.

I'd be willing to give it a go. The memory feature sounds much more appealing to me than a circuit that always turns it off. Wiring looks pretty easy.

I too have been caught out at auto-x where I forgot to shut it off at the start of a run, then you're steering with one hand and fumbling with the other. Plus it won't respond to the button press while the VDC is in the active state, which would be more often than not in the case of auto-x.