Installed Radar detector(hiden wires) [Pics]

8271 Views 18 Replies 13 Participants Last post by DJ Spencer, Mar 29, 2005

wraith622

Discussion Starter · Apr 6, 2004

I asked before for some suggestion, I guess no one has done this so I took it apon myself. I've got a radar detector and I hate seeing loose wires, so I did this:

I first removed the middle trim molding. Open the glove box and pull at the molding in the middle with your hands. It'll pop out. Don't pull on the far right side. It has a notched hook that slides in and out.(pic below) so I pulled the rest out and slid that side out last.

Unscrew the 2 screws on either side of the LCD display. Then your going to pull up and to yourself. Theres several push in mounts on this piece and 2 rods(not sure what to call them) that slide in diagnely.

Dont forget to unplug the hazard lights button. squeeze one side of the connector and it comes out.

Now I took out the radio. Unscrew the 2 screws on either side of the LCD display and the radio unit comes right out. Detatch the 2 wires from the radio and set it aside.

Now basicly since I didnt want to take out the climate controles. I ran my AC power cord down the right side of the middle console. Right down to the floor. Then ran it up to the AC outlet. Yeah... some wire shows but its not too visable when your driving. :wink:

Next I dremeled out 2 little notches for the wire to sit in when the upper middle pannel in back in. Its hard to see them in this picture. I taped and wrapped up any extra wire so it wasnt loose and/or rattled around under the dash.

Heres the finished work. I was ify about cutting up my new car but if you cut it just enough its not even noticable.

I hope this helps some of you out.

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

BeastieBen

· #2 · Apr 7, 2004

AWESOME!! thanks bro,

I nominate this for a sticky... It also shows every easy ways to get to a power source in the front!

BeastieBen

· #3 · Apr 7, 2004

can anyone figure out how to find 12v power without plugging it in?? there has GOT to be a 12v power source somewhere in that tangle of wires!

I was thinking the hazard lights button

vaBooM

· #4 · Apr 7, 2004

Hazard would have a constant source for power. I woud recommend behind the radio.

wraith622

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 7, 2004

I was actualy thinking of just hard wiring my detector to the back of the cig lighter. Theres gotta be 2 wires (groud-black and live+red) there. you should prolly still run in thru an other fuse if your divice comes with one.

btw Thanks for the feed back.

BeastieBen

· #6 · Apr 7, 2004

wraith622 said:
I was actualy thinking of just hard wiring my detector to the back of the cig lighter. Theres gotta be 2 wires (groud-black and live+red) there. you should prolly still run in thru an other fuse if your divice comes with one.

btw Thanks for the feed back.

Yea but u gotta get behind there, which means taking out the AC control box and who knows what else

wraith622

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 8, 2004

yeah, exactly why i didnt. I dont know what kind of a pain in the ass reconecting those 2 cables would be so I left well enough alone.

jskit cheng

· #8 · Apr 10, 2004

guys, if i am trying to tap/solder/connect a positive wire to get power(etc, to hardwire my 8500 detector to for example, map light), i should connect the negative side to any metal in my car for ground? what happen if i connect + to +, - to - to get power?. what harm will it do? is it nessceray to put a fuse at the connection of + and + to protect the circuit or my detector? i don't know much about electronic but i want to learn more. thank you so much.

thanks in advance

wraith622

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 10, 2004

I'm not electrician, but thats 12v going thru ur car if you were to hook it up like you said. I'm sure u'd need a fuse and something to covert the 12v in to 1.5v or whatever voltage ur detector requieres.

JamieD77

· #10 · Aug 19, 2004

A map light is not a good power source for a radar dectector unless you want to turn it on/off everytime you enter/exit your car. You need to find a source that only has power when the ignition switch is turned on.

spicedham

· #11 · Aug 25, 2004

radar + new dash kit

With the new dash kit out, has anyone thought of sticking the radar detector where the old LCD used to be (instead of installing the extra pocket)?

chipfiev

· #12 · Aug 25, 2004

I used the accessory on from the radio harness to run power for my V1. It's easy to get to and only turns on when the car is on.

bendog

· #13 · Aug 25, 2004

As hard as I try, I can't see the radar, can you?

GASPowered

· #14 · Aug 25, 2004

I mounted my radar detector in the corner of the windshield where the oil change sticker usually goes. The higher the detector is mounted the earlier the warning. To hardwire it I simply tucked the wire in the headliner until I got to the moonroof controls and I spliced into the black wire that is part of the big molex connector. The ground is just connected to one of the metal screws that are in there. That black wire has power only with ignition so I don't have to worry about turning it on or off. I'm not sure if that wire is available without the moonroof. Just another option.

bendog

· #15 · Aug 25, 2004

I like that sound of that last explanation. I hate hwy patrol and I want this in my car. I will have to wait for my santa baby to get me that radar though. :x

adaughen

· #16 · Aug 26, 2004

I just got mine wired in... I actually have mine installed above the rear view mirror and have it run down to the fuse box.

Quite a bit easier. Cost ~$10 I got a mini fuse extention. Then picked a fuse that was < 10A (per directions) and had the on/off with the acc. Then had some 18ga wire to run the power from the fuse up to where I could wire it into the regular detector's power cord.

LostSaint

· #17 · Dec 27, 2004

GASPowered said:
The higher the detector is mounted the earlier the warning.

That my be true in regards to radar... but if they are using laser you will need the detector lower. The reason for this is because they point the detector at the headlights/license plate in order to get a reading.

Even if you place your radar/laser detector low on the windshield it still might not detect it soon enough, so it is really just your call.

SpiritWalker

· #18 · Mar 29, 2005

GASPowered said:
I mounted my radar detector in the corner of the windshield where the oil change sticker usually goes. The higher the detector is mounted the earlier the warning. To hardwire it I simply tucked the wire in the headliner until I got to the moonroof controls and I spliced into the black wire that is part of the big molex connector. The ground is just connected to one of the metal screws that are in there. That black wire has power only with ignition so I don't have to worry about turning it on or off. I'm not sure if that wire is available without the moonroof. Just another option.

I took this route--just for a bit of clarification, I used the pink and black wire on the other plug. I wanted to maintain the ability to pop off the little map light/roof control panel.

After a little while and several mis-wirings, I got it going.

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DJ Spencer

· #19 · Mar 29, 2005

Re: radar + new dash kit

spicedham said:
With the new dash kit out, has anyone thought of sticking the radar detector where the old LCD used to be (instead of installing the extra pocket)?

New dash kit??

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