I want to change the power lead to my power outlet in the center console. I'd like to make it switched so that I can leave the adapter in for the Sirius tuner all the time. Any ideas on the best spot to tap into a switched ignition source. Also, would you recommend running an inline fuse?


Thanks,

In line fuse can only help. Not sure on the 02' but the 03' has open space in the fuse box under the hood.

In line fuse can only help. Not sure on the 02' but the 03' has open space in the fuse box under the hood.

I'll have to give it a look when the weather gets better around here.

Why would they make it so that it stays on?

I had my radar detector plugged in over winter and left it in over a long weekend and came back and couldnt get it started. Completely drained my battery. Arent all other cars the opposite, they turn off when the car is off?

Why would they make it so that it stays on?

I had my radar detector plugged in over winter and left it in over a long weekend and came back and couldnt get it started. Completely drained my battery. Arent all other cars the opposite, they turn off when the car is off?

I have a Valentine One radar that I tapped into my overhead console on my '02 lade. Its direct wired, so when I turn off the car, the radar detector turns off as well. Then it turns on when I start the car. :thumbsup:

Very easy to do.

I have a Valentine One radar that I tapped into my overhead console on my '02 lade. Its direct wired, so when I turn off the car, the radar detector turns off as well. Then it turns on when I start the car. :thumbsup:

Very easy to do.

how do I do this?:confused:

I've been trying to do the same thing in my brother's '00 Escalade. I posted here about it some time ago. As soon as we get some good weekend weather, I'm going to take a look at the lines running to and from the fuse box. There's got to be a line somewhere that is switched. Once I find that, I'll just put a relay in to make the those outlets switched.

I too am confused as to why they are always on, they should have made at least one of them switched. I guess they want to make sure you can light your cigarette even when the truck is off!!!

Its very easy to do guys. Also, it depends on what radar detector you have as well. I know it works on a Passport 8500 and my Valentine One, because both of those radar detectors (you can buy direct wire).. I installed the 8500 on my wife's Lexus RX300 same way I did on my Escalade and Expedition.

The 'direct' wires come with only 2 wires!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/davidle10626/directwire.jpg

One is of course a ground (goes to any screw). Then the other is the power wire which you will have to tap it into one of those wires on the overhead console.

Just tap it on one of the wires and try it out.

This is the console I took off on mine. (got pic from online)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/davidle10626/overheadconsole.jpg

I'll have to take pics of mine when I get a chance.

Anyways, here are instructions how to do it. Its fairly easy. Its on a BMW, but pretty much same for 'MOST' vehicles.

The only hard part is finding which wire to tap the power wire to. Just tap the power wire to one of the plug wires, and turn on the key to the on position, and turn off the key and make sure the radar turns on/off at the same time. (Make sure the plug is plugged back on though)

http://ideaphile.com/bmw/v1/

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76687

On my oo Escalade, I have my radar detector, Escort, connected to the blk. plug-in(upper left corner fuse box next to where your left foot rests). This is a switched connection.

Sweet!! I didn't realize that panel was there. That just made things a whole lot easier! Thanks!!

On my oo Escalade, I have my radar detector, Escort, connected to the blk. plug-in(upper left corner fuse box next to where your left foot rests). This is a switched connection.

Here's the picture of my Valentine One hardwired to the overhead console on my '02 lade.

To take the overhead console off, its very easy. It only has 1 screw, and then the whole thing pops off.

The yellow line is where my wires are. It goes from the overhead console, to behind the mirror and to the radar. Very clean look.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/davidle10626/RadarDet008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/davidle10626/RadarDet005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/davidle10626/RadarDet004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/davidle10626/RadarDet003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v438/davidle10626/RadarDet002.jpg