DIY : Radar Detector Hardwire Install

[themossman]

Originally Posted by stirthepot

themossman - just curious, dont you find it hard to read the display of the detector over there? I ask because I have the same detector, and the same car ;-), and I actually had it there and moved it to the driver's side for better visibility and easier access to the buttons.

no...I have the detector configured where there's only a single 'dot' (.) on the screen. That way, if a detection occurs, its a pretty decent change and catches the corner of your eye. Before I changed to the dot, it was not as 'obvious'.

[Mod007]

Originally Posted by Aaron1121

Sure.

The fuse box on this car is super easy to get to.

- Open the drivers door.

- Look at the dash. The panel that faces the door when you open it pops right off, the fusebox is inside.

- Grab the bottom of the panel and pull. Three clips hold the cover, and the cover pops right off. The inside of the cover has a chart of all of the fuses. The two accessory ones are right in the middle.

- There are 5 spots labeled as spare locations in the fusebox. I checked them with a multi-meter. Unfortunately, 2 of them are not live at all. The other 3 are on all the time, which is not ideal for a radar detector. So, the spare locations will not work. You want the detector to come on when the car is on, and go off when the ignition is off so it won't drain the battery.

I had a couple of piggyback fuses in my garage, so I installed one of them into the existing accessory fuse slot for the hot wire. (One of the two in the middle) You can get them at autozone or at radioshack for about $3.

The fuse box has a upper and lower screw on the outside of the box that are both grounded. My radar detector a had loop already installed on the ground wire, so I just unscrewed the top existing screw, put the loop on it, and screwed in back in.

I will post some pics, but it was dark in my garage, so they aren't very clear. If you guys want, I can go and take some more.

(This is an easy install. Seriously..... It just took me longer to post this than to do the work...)



BTW-

2 Interesting things. The dash ABL connector is right above the fusebox behind the panel. It is ready to go, just not plugged in. I had my multimeter out, and verified that the connector works with the ABL dimmer switch. (Where are our vendors with aftermarket kits for the dash lighting. It should be plug and play!!)

When you open the cover to the fusebox, the Onstar fuse is there. There was some question about how to disable it. I didn't try it out, but I believe this would be the place.

Wow sounds EZ I'm buying a Passport 9500ix today I'm going to try this THANKS

[BryanB]

Do you happen know where the fuse to those wires is? For some reason I'm not getting any power to those wires...

[Mod007]

Originally Posted by Mod007

Wow sounds EZ I'm buying a Passport 9500ix today I'm going to try this THANKS

F this I been trying to get this thing to work for the last two hours the dame radar wont get any power

[BryanB]

Originally Posted by Mod007

F this I been trying to get this thing to work for the last two hours the dame radar wont get any power

hm, your using the wires that he posted in the pics? ... I'm having the same problem.. no power.

[themossman]

Originally Posted by Mod007

F this I been trying to get this thing to work for the last two hours the dame radar wont get any power

Don't forget to turn the ignition on..that wire is only hot when the ignition is on.

PM me if you run into issue and I'll send my #.

[2L8IWON]

I'm choosing the BlendMount option for my Valentine One and they make them for other radar detectors. Here's what the mount looks like. I'll probably take it somewhere to have them wire it to my mirror wiring kit. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Blend...ltDomainQ5f100

[DLS]

Originally Posted by stirthepot

themossman - just curious, dont you find it hard to read the display of the detector over there? I ask because I have the same detector, and the same car ;-), and I actually had it there and moved it to the driver's side for better visibility and easier access to the buttons.

I am going to change my set up so that it is just a dot like Thermossman did so it is easier to see on the right side but I also bought the "Direct Wire SmartCord" for $29 at Best Buy which is a hard wire kit that has a remote light and mute button. I went with Aaron1121's hard wiring method and it worked out perfect because I mounted the remote display right behind the door window defrost vent so almost no wires are exposed. This way it won't matter if you are looking one way or the other there is a light that catches your eye. I installed the Escort 9500ix which I have also been really happy with. I also bought the mounting bracket that is referenced in post #15 above for $25 and it works great - don't have to worry about the suction cups failing anymore.

[cjh1505]

nicejob!

[salohi]

A+ job

what is the best radar detector ???

[2L8IWON]

My vote is for the Valentine One. Unless you want to spend the really big bucks. You can find them on eBay. I'm sure you will get many different answers with that question though.

Here I decided at the last minute to buy an Escort 9500ix. Oddly, the main reason was that I prefer the blue display over the Valentine One red display. Also, the Escort has learning technology for false alerts. Not sure if the range will be as good, but I'm locked in with the Escort now.

[SSR]

Both of you have great solutions, nice work and great instructions!

[Icntdrv55]

Here is another solution I did and its a bit easier then both of the above. I took off the plastic cover covering the wires tothe mirror. Pop the mirror off and hook the wire into the power source for the Onstar. It was very simple and took me about 15 minutes to do. I did it a while ago so I cant remember which wires were switched and which werent but its only a few minutes of trial and error.
PM me if you need any help or have any questions.

[Jericho]

Great step by step. Thanks for the awsome info.