As I am pretty sure my rearview mirror provides power for OnStar and the auto-dimming feature (and besides, I can see a wiring harness hanging there), I am hoping to hard-wire my radar detector into an available 12V source. Does anyone have a service manual that could tell me which color wire I need to tap into? Thanks!

As I am pretty sure my rearview mirror provides power for OnStar and the auto-dimming feature (and besides, I can see a wiring harness hanging there), I am hoping to hard-wire my radar detector into an available 12V source. Does anyone have a service manual that could tell me which color wire I need to tap into? Thanks!

I did exactly this the other day. However, I didn't want to mess with the wire bundle going into the rearview mirror for fear of it looking ugly since it is exposed. Plus I didn't have easy access to probe using my voltmeter without *****ing the wires. I opted to wire my radar to the rear washer switch inside the overhead console (radar gets power only when key is on the ACC notch). First off, the overhead console snaps off by prying straight down. Unhook the 4-wire harness going to the rear wiper switch. The two outermost wires of this harness is yellow and black (Note: There are actually two solid yellow wires on the harness, but make sure you choose the outermost yellow wire). These are the wires you tap into. Yellow is (+) and Black is (-). Tap into these wires and you are good to go.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: The ***** above was automatically censored. The missing letters are p-r-i-c-k :rolleyes2

I did exactly this the other day. However, I didn't want to mess with the wire bundle going into the rearview mirror for fear of it looking ugly since it is exposed. Plus I didn't have easy access to probe using my voltmeter without *****ing the wires. I opted to wire my radar to the rear washer switch inside the overhead console (radar gets power only when key is on the ACC notch). First off, the overhead console snaps off by prying straight down. Unhook the 4-wire harness going to the rear wiper switch. The two outermost wires of this harness is yellow and black (Note: There are actually two solid yellow wires on the harness, but make sure you choose the outermost yellow wire). These are the wires you tap into. Yellow is (+) and Black is (-). Tap into these wires and you are good to go.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: The ***** above was automatically censored. The missing letters are p-r-i-c-k :rolleyes2Vincent,

Great idea to use the rear washer switch--I forgot it was up there. Just one question though: With my old Valentine One, I only recall tapping one single, hot 12V+ source, so what do I need the second, black wire for? I don't think I need to ground it or anything, right? Thanks again!

Vincent,

Great idea to use the rear washer switch--I forgot it was up there. Just one question though: With my old Valentine One, I only recall tapping one single, hot 12V+ source, so what do I need the second, black wire for? I don't think I need to ground it or anything, right? Thanks again!
I have the V1 also. I'm pretty sure you need to hook up two wires, hot and ground. You don't need to ground it at the spot where I suggested in the previous post, but you still need to ground it somewhere. In my case, it was just convenient to use the ground on the same wiring harness. Are you using the hardwire kit that comes with the radar? I did not use my hardwire kit on the SRX since that was installed in another vehicle. I just used a regular rj11 phone cord.

Let me know how it turns out, and if you need any further info, let me know.

I have the V1 also. I'm pretty sure you need to hook up two wires, hot and ground. You don't need to ground it at the spot where I suggested in the previous post, but you still need to ground it somewhere. In my case, it was just convenient to use the ground on the same wiring harness. Are you using the hardwire kit that comes with the radar? I did not use my hardwire kit on the SRX since that was installed in another vehicle. I just used a regular rj11 phone cord.

Let me know how it turns out, and if you need any further info, let me know.I'm in the same situation as you, my two other V1's are already hardwired into my other two cars so I need to buy a new detector. BTW, where did you end up mounting the V1 itself? Any chance you could post a pic? I was also considering mounting it at dash level and wiring to a 12V source under the dash. Anyhow thanks for your advice and help!

I'm in the same situation as you, my two other V1's are already hardwired into my other two cars so I need to buy a new detector. BTW, where did you end up mounting the V1 itself? Any chance you could post a pic? I was also considering mounting it at dash level and wiring to a 12V source under the dash. Anyhow thanks for your advice and help!
I don't understand why you would have to buy a new radar just because the others are hardwired to the other cars. I have 3 cars and all are wired for the V1 and I just move the V1 to the car that I am driving. All it takes is a $2 phone cord. Anyhow, I mounted the radar next to the rearview mirror and just barely below the tint line. A high mounting location is what manufacturer recommends and makes it somewhat hidden (theft is a real concern for me).

Here's a couple pics:

Driver's view:
http://home.austin.rr.com/vdo/pics/misc/v1pic1.jpg


Closeup:
http://home.austin.rr.com/vdo/pics/misc/v1pic2.jpg

Vincent,

I am WAY too lazy to be constantly moving a radar detector from one vehicle to another. :rolleyes:

As for the mounting location, the advantage to your high mounting is slightly superior sensitivity forward and greatly superior rearward performance. However I live next to, and drive into, a jurisdiction (Washington DC) where radar detectors are against the law, so an out-of-view, on-the-dash installation with a remote display may be ideal for me.

Does anybody know which wires of the phone cord need to be attached for an Escort 8500?

Are you cutting your coiled smartcord to hardwire it? Why not just buy a hardwire kit (They are only around $10) and leave your smartcord alone in case you decide to use this detector in another car with the cigarette lighter cord.

Open up the harness to the mirror and carefully splice into the pink wire. This is an ignition fuse feed circuit and will power up when you turn the key on. Just skin the wire alittle then soldier you buster positive lead to the pink. You can do the same for the ground. Just open up the black wire in the same harness. If things don't work you blew the fuse in the right rear fuse box just under the front of the right rear seat. Good Luck

im not fimiliar with these radar detectors, but which type of radars do they detect? here in geneva we have alot of those permanant cameras which are on the side of the road...does the radar detectors spot those? and finally do they spot radar hand guns? sorry for the stupid but yet informing question...thanx

Nothing is going to detect cameras! Different radar detectors detect different bands, but all will detect the K & X bands. Higher end ones will detect lasers. Instant on radars will be detected, but usually too late!

At least get a 360 degree detector. It will "see" in all directions.

Look into radar jammers. Illegal as He**, but they can't detect you "properly". From about $250 (US)

im not dumb, i know nothing can detect cameras, but im sure theres somthing that can detect the radar attached to the camera which determines whether your going fast or not...i hope someone can give me a more definite answer...

im not dumb, i know nothing can detect cameras, but im sure theres somthing that can detect the radar attached to the camera which determines whether your going fast or not...i hope someone can give me a more definite answer...

You are correct photo radar is a camera with a regular low-powered K-band beam. Any good radar detector should see this signal but the problem is that since its low powered the detection range is limited. The Escort 8500 will pick up this signal but will only pick it up when its within around a 500-600 foot range which is not alot of time to slow down. If you have serious camera issues in your area you can get a photo plate protector so that the camera can not take a clear copy of your license plate.

As for jammers such as the Rocky Mountain Jammers that are sold everywhere - they do not jam anything.

Thanks for the info. I installed my escort 8500 using this method last night. While I had the center console down, I installed a mic next to the one up there for my blue tooth. Do you know where I can find a complete wiring diagram of the SRX with navigation? I want to switch video from navigation to a video feed from the RES.

I wired to the rear wiper switch last weekend and it worked great, but now I cant get the the rear snaps (furthest from the windshield) of the overhead console to snap back in.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

jgn,

Had the same problem! Cheapo plastic. Nothing worked (including Goop) until my last resort---JB Weld Qwik.

Be ready with protector and large clamp (I have UltraView) or a prop to hold in place for awhile. Gob it on liberly as gravity WILL take over. It says it sets-up in 4 minutes, but I waited 1/2 hour.

Hopefully, I'll never have to get in there again! :)

sgilbert,
thanks for the info. i'm taking it in tomorrow for some warantee work, so i thought i'd ask the dealer to snap it in place for me.

Good luck! Doubt they can.

(bump) jgn -- were they able to snap the console into place for you? My just came undone, and we can't get it to snap back.

The dealer snapped it back in place and said there were some clips missing I didn't know about. No charge.

I went by the dealer today. The service advisor tried the same as me -- pushing it back in and it came right undone. So, we've scheduled an app't to bring the car in tomorrow for the day. Now just hoping to get that XLR loaner! :)

Does your upper console fit flush around the headliner? Mine seems not so tight on the rear right side, there is a very slight gap.

mine fits great.

It is/should be a tight fit. If the gap increases over time, you may have the same prob I have.

They ended up ordering a whole new bezel. Comes in in 7-10 days.

Thanks, It is not really noticible unless your sitting in the back. I will have them take a look at it when they check for the oil leak!:helpless: