Hardwire radar detector

[ullbergm]

Has anybody tried to hardwire a radardetector into the moonroof control box?Or maybe replaced the mirror with a auto dimming one?I'm not sure if i want to start pulling the controls off without knowing how you are supposed to do it. I wish helminc would get some service manuals in stock.

[Robovibe]

Yep, one of the first things I installed. The only problem with wiring it into the sunroof power switch is you'll lose power to the detector for a second when you open or close the roof. There is no other power source to choice from up there that shuts off with the ignition. I don't open the roof that much so its not a big factor. If you don't mind the sound of your detector running a start up test everytime you open/close the roof than go for it. I used a wire tap to the sunroof power switch, just make sure you add an in-line fuse for safety.

[ullbergm]

CoolAny hints on taking the console out? I took the screw out but i didn't want to start pulling to hard on it without knowing what the "right" way of doing it was.What about the wires?My Valentine one comes with the kit to wire it inline, it's got a tab and a inline fuse.

[Robovibe]

I did it back in April, I'll have to open it up again and let you know how I did it.

[ullbergm]

ok, no big deal, i'll figure it out makes me feel better about it that someone else has done it..

[ullbergm]

Just opened it up, it was pretty easy once i figured out that there was a second screw holding it in I haven't figured out which wire to use yet, but im taking pictures and ill post them here when i get it done.

[ullbergm]

First of all, this is just a description of what i did.If you decide to do this i'm not responsible for any damage..Ok, here is a short description of my (sucessful) radar detector adventure.The radar detector is a Valentine One, it comes with a kit to wire it inline. The kit includes a inline fuse and some cables.Everything went really smooth, no big problems at all.First thing i did was to take the cover off the console.After you remove the screw it just snaps right off.After you remove the second screw you can pull out the console. I pulled out the left side first (it has a small tab there) and then it came right out. (it has a larger tab on the right.This is what the console looks like:Next i found a small screw that worked fine as ground. (Checked against the live wires in the connector)The picture shows what it looks like after i attached the cable to it. I never took the screw all the way out, i just loosened it a little bit.After testing the connector using a cable tester for a little while i came up with this:I decided to use pin 7.I tested the theory using some wire and crocodile claws.It worked!EDIT: This has been confirmed using the service manual.Pin 1 - GroundPin 7 - Ignition Positive VoltagePin 8 - Battery Positive VoltageNote: You are still doing it at your own risk... This shows the tap after i attached it.Thats pretty much it. I put the cable slack in a small plastic ziplock bag together with the spare fuse. I put the ziplock bag behind the console and put everything back together.[Modified by ullbergm, 10:33 AM 9/2/2002]
[Modified by ullbergm, 5:05 PM 12/1/2002]

[Flip-Side]

If I had known you had posted on this, I would have read sooner. Very cool idea. I am also a big fan of the Valentine One. Got mine way back in the 80's from my dad, but it doesn't work with the new tech they have now. So did you do this to keep the lighter socket free? Or so you could conceal the detector better? I've been pulled over with one and the cop was less than friendly.

[ullbergm]

quote:If I had known you had posted on this, I would have read sooner. Very cool idea. I am also a big fan of the Valentine One. Got mine way back in the 80's from my dad, but it doesn't work with the new tech they have now. Did you know that Valentine One has a upgrade program? You send in the old one and get a discount on a new model.quote:So did you do this to keep the lighter socket free? Or so you could conceal the detector better? I've been pulled over with one and the cop was less than friendly. I did it so i could get rid of the cable to the lighter socket. The fact that its a little more hidden was a bonus I'm thinking about buying one of these later on:
[Modified by ullbergm, 5:08 PM 12/1/2002]

[Flip-Side]

quote:Did you know that Valentine One has a upgrade program? You send in the old one and get a discount on a new model.Thanks fer the info...think I'll send it in. It's covered in dust in the garage.

[ullbergm]

quote:Did you know that Valentine One has a upgrade program? You send in the old one and get a discount on a new model.Thanks fer the info...think I'll send it in. It's covered in dust in the garage. hehe, you can go to their website (www.valentineone.com) and put in the serial number of your V1 and it'll tell you what your upgrade choices are.

[dmitri]

very helpful. searched and came up with this topic. thanks for pics ill post some of mine later....i decided to hardwire it but i put the wires under the headliner.

[Geo]

I am also planning on hardwiring my V1 this weekend or this week as well.Also have the stealth screen as well and might be running that into the system as well.I would also consider wiring it directly into the main battery thing in the map light, (turning off this detector is really easy) Any have any info or pics on this other than what has already been posted? Thanks

[ullbergm]

quote:very helpful. searched and came up with this topic. thanks for pics ill post some of mine later....i decided to hardwire it but i put the wires under the headliner.please doalso, do you have problems with the radar detector 'restarting' when you open up the sunroof?

[Jahntassa]

I have mine wired in with the rear defroster switch (as I have no sunroof), and mine restarts whenever I pop the hatch, so I'm guessing the restart would be a common issue for you too..

[ullbergm]

quote:I have mine wired in with the rear defroster switch (as I have no sunroof), and mine restarts whenever I pop the hatch, so I'm guessing the restart would be a common issue for you too..interesting..i've been thinking about running some wires all the way to the fuses, the restarting is kinda annoying

[Jahntassa]

Going down the passenger A pillar and going with the defroster was pretty simple. And seriously, how often do you open the rear hatch (the glass, not the door), while you're driving? It doesn't reset when you turn on the defroster...so you'll never have it reset while you're driving..

[ragingfish]

Try tapping into the power in the harness that operates the passenger seat belt light. I use that for my FM signal booster and have not had any problems with power being interrupted to the booster.

[dmitri]

mike...is that 12 volts?I fried my radar detector because i forgot to put an inline fuse but im gonna get a new one and say the old one was defective so wutever.

[ragingfish]

Si señ0r.12 V.

[Geo]

I want to say that YES, the red wire in that assembly (there's a red and a blue one) is 12 volts.I did my hardwire today and I used that power wire and things are great for me. I have the main V1 power converter thing under the steering wheel area, and I run the power cord to the main unit up through the A piller, under the head liner and down right the center of the windshield so you can barely see the wire.It's real slick and works good. I didn't have my digi-cam with me so sorry I couldn't take install pics. Any questions and I'll try to help out!

[dsegundo]

can someone tell me how to do this? like splice the wire, and then attach the power wire from the radar to the open wiring and solder? sound good?

[ragingfish]

I'd advise independently wiring the RD instead of tapping into moonroof power.Grab an add-a-circuit for mini fuses (available at pep boys), pick a circuit (radio, perhaps), pull power via add-a-circuit, and ground to the body.