hardwire escort 8500 radar detector in ctsv

[maconpie]

I have an escort 8500 radar detector on order for my new V. Does anyone have any ideas on where to hardwire the unit? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

[gp56]

I fed a line down the drivers side pilar, down the side of the dash, tucked in, under the plastic moulding by each door (lf, lr) and hardwired to the fuse box underneath the drivers side rear seat. You can get a ground there also. Takes about 30 minutes.

[maconpie]

Thanks for the info. Can you tell me which wire you attached the hot wire to. I would like for the detector to turn off with the key so my wife won't run the battery down. She will be driving the car most of the time. I have not looked at the fuse box under the seat yet. I wanted to put the smart cord mute display in the ash tray if possible so the detector would not be visible at night. Thanks again for your help.

[ThomasO]

Good morning Maconpie, are you sure your radar detector doesn't shut-off by itself after inactivity? I don't have the Escort brand, but my radar detector shuts itself off after 3 hours. Check and see, turning the thing back on every time you start the car is going to get old.........Tom

[birdman]

Originally Posted by maconpie

I have an escort 8500 radar detector on order for my new V. Does anyone have any ideas on where to hardwire the unit? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

If you go to the pictures on this site, I've got pictures of my hard wired 8500 with the smart cord. The detector is right beside the rear view mirror, you can't see it from the outside because of the stock tint at the top and the mute button/alert light is velcroed to the console beside the shifter and "S" button. I love the setup, but couldn't tell you how it's hooked up. Best Buy installation did it for me for $20. It now only comes on when the key is in.

[cruzajc1]

Can I have some more details on this radar install. I am buying a passport Escort 8500 also and need some details on the install. Specifically, where exactly do i hook up the wire to the fuse box. My friend who is selling me the unit said the plug in looks like a telephone cord. Please advise. I have a 96 STS.


Gus

cruzajc1@aol.com

[tedcmiller]

The method described by gps56 is the way I hardwired my Beltronics detector. There are actually two fuse blocks under the CTS rear seat, one on the left side and one on the right side. Both blocks have fused circuits that have voltage only when the ignition is on. You can use most any one of them you want. The owners manual shows both fuse blocks and identifies which circuits and accessories the fuses controls. Pick one that you know is active only when the ignition is on. To avoid cutting or splicing or using a tap connector, I simply put about 3/8 inch of bare wire on the end of the detector feed wire into the fuse connector along with the fuse. This is easily done with stranded wire by removing the fuse, inserting the bare wire into the fuse connector, and then plugging the fuse back in. To insure that your feed wire is protected from a short-circuit, make sure you put the bare wire on the side of the fuse that feeds the other loads. To avoid having the detector feed wire pull out of the fuse block, tape it or wire-tie it to another wire or other stable point near the connection.