DIY Guide for radar detector hardwire install ...

[wquiles]

I posted this guide in the Charger forums, but I was told today that this could be helpfull here as well since it applies to all LX cars.

First off, let me start by thanking the forum for being a great repository of outstanding information, and specifically to RadarmagneT who in here (http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2541&page=1&pp=10&highlight=radar+detector) pointed out a link to his roof RD power (http://home.nc.rr.com/maneval69/overheadpower/overheadpower.htm), which had enough information to get me started. As RadarmagneT politely asked for additional photos/instructions, I decided to return the favor by doing just that http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif

The installation guide is right here: http://m3coupe.com/Charger/Valentine/V1_Install_v2.doc (http://m3coupe.com/Charger/Valentine/V1_Install_v2.doc)

and it is 1.1Megs big. It is formated as an MS Word Document, with the pictures within the document.

If there are some questions and/or corrections, please refer to each of the section #'s so that I can correct the document and upload an updated version.

I hope that at least some will find this helpful http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

Will

PS. If you guys think this was a lot of work, let me tell you it was not that bad. This DIY Stereo guide (http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/audio/forum.php?postid=1433274&page=2) that I prepared 3 and 1/2 years ago to replace the complete speaker and amplifier system on my BMW E46 Me Coupe was the most work I have ever done!

[dewey cheatham]

Thanks for the great instructions. I was thinking there wasn't any acc power up there, but I guess there is. I was going to steal acc power from the mirror, but this is very slick. I'll do it tomorrow for sure.

thanks again.

[grinner]

awesome
never thought about tapping in up top

[wquiles]

Thank you guys. Glad this was helpfull :)

Will

[LIRacer]

Excellent instructions. I did the job last week.Thanks!

[Grelf]

Great writeup!!! It'll be my bible as soon as it's warm enough up here to start modding work.

[nick soldo]

WOW! What great instructions!! THANKS!

[MagnumFierce]

Thanks for this post.
There was another guide, where you wrap the wire up from the outlet forward of the shifter, around the windshield. This looks lots easier, quicker and harder to screw up.
The power of positive procrastination!
NOW for the $64k question: Is that connector also on Base RTs? I cheaped out on the goodies to swing the Hemi.
Anybody know???
TIA Mighty Forum Doods!

[quarky42]

I believe the connector you are referring to is one of the ones used for uconnect and other stuff... and AFAIK it was found on some base RTs and not on others. Luck of the draw.

You may still have power up there for interior lights or something else.

[Smoke20]

THANKS, Will...great help....my ash tray/lighter was not cooperating with my idea to tap in for power...the top sonsole is great and I would never have known.

[hops23]

Cool. Add another item to the mod list.

[saluki450]

Just used this to install a Beltronics Vector FX/1. Took a little doing but works and looks great. Thanks Will!!!

Dan

[charged05mag]

Save your money don't buy a radar detector. I love writing tickets to people who have them. Save your money and buy mods for your vehicle.
Thanks,
NHP #662

[JonzMgnm]

Save your money don't buy a radar detector. I love writing tickets to people who have them. Save your money and buy mods for your vehicle.
Thanks,
NHP #662


With all due respect, officer (I'm assuming), your post was a tad off target for this forum and what we try to do here by helping each other out.

[srt8-in-largo]

Save your money don't buy a radar detector. I love writing tickets to people who have them. Save your money and buy mods for your vehicle.
Thanks,
NHP #662

I kinda get a kick out of doin 160 in school zones...but, eh, to each their own.

[FactoryD]

Save your money don't buy a radar detector. I love writing tickets to people who have them. Save your money and buy mods for your vehicle.
Thanks,
NHP #662

I love having mine and "seeing" you over a 1/2 mile away firing on other cars. I can slow down in time to be the one laughing. Thanks for having that radar gun! :Na_Na_Na_Na:

[oldschool]

Haha...I can do 162 in a school zone!
Lets race!

[DarthMuffin]

I'm trying to do the install on my '08. I found the harness up there, with the wires exactly as described. The black/green is a ground but the pink is dead--no power, even when the car is running. There is a red wire on the other side of the black/green that's hot all the time, but I don't want that.

Everything up there still works (auto-dim mirror, homelink, dome lights, sun roof). All fuses also look good.

Any ideas? Anyone know which fuse this goes to so I can maybe check if I even have that option installed on my car?

[DarthMuffin]

I'm trying to do the install on my '08. I found the harness up there, with the wires exactly as described. The black/green is a ground but the pink is dead--no power, even when the car is running. There is a red wire on the other side of the black/green that's hot all the time, but I don't want that.

Everything up there still works (auto-dim mirror, homelink, dome lights, sun roof). All fuses also look good.

Any ideas? Anyone know which fuse this goes to so I can maybe check if I even have that option installed on my car?

I thought I would reply to my own post and let owners of '08's (I have an '08 MSRT8 w/ sunroof if it matters) know that the pink wire in the overhead console is dead. The pink wire in the passenger's A-pillar is also dead. I followed that one down to the connector at the base of the A-pillar and there is no corresponding wire going into the mating connector. No wonder it's dead...

I couldn't find another source of switched 12v handy. I even checked many of the wires going into the back of the mirror, with no luck.

While I had the A-pillar off I ran a wire across the top, down the a-pillar, was able to grab it behind the glove box, and finally fished it from the other rear corner of the glove box to behind the HVAC controls. From there I tapped into the cig lighter for both power and ground.

[GreyGhostII]

so whats the final verdict? i have an 06 r/t and have the overhead console out to do this mod now. my black/green ground wire is in the other harness with the white clip (not mentioned here). my pink wire is in the harness as described here but i dont have a voltmeter thingy to test and the member above says its not hot. which is the wire i want to use (goes off with the door opening)??? no way this thread has gone away and died! what am i missing? PLEASE HELP!!

[GasGunR]

Don't do it. There is a plug in cable setup now. Give me a minute to search. It plugs into your mirror!

[GasGunR]

Here you go!

http://www.invisicord.com/

[GreyGhostII]

thats intersting and pretty smart. i dont have and elec testing tools and my interior is in peices now, lol... i have the V1 and it comes with a harness that has connectors attached already, i dont have to splice any wires or anything. just need to know which wire in the overhead is the 12v and goes off with the key off. im sure someone figured it out, this thread was buried. much thanks for the suggestion and i will surely look into that if someone doesnt come in to save the day soon. thanks again!

[GasGunR]

Takes 5 mins to snap the counsol back up and another 5 mins to order the part;)

Good luck though:)

[GreyGhostII]

yeah, yeah... i hear ya, its just that ive been putting this off for months and run ito this issue in mental mod mode! i need a fix, NOW! haha..

[GasGunR]

I COMPLETELY understand:panic:

[InfiernoDelDiablo]

This is interesting!

I don't have the Valentine, but interesting nontheless.

This last weekend I just wired my radar detector, but the way it was by increasing the lengthe of the cord. Picture if you can, the radar detector is mounted similar to the write-up previously listed, only the cord runs across the the headliner, down the pilar, under the dash, through the center cousel and the original plug uses the plug in the center cousol.

A bit much, but it works! If I would have found the write up sooner, I probably would've tried it.

[GreyGhostII]

thought i would add my overhead console only has buttons / wiring for the overhead lights and for the sun roof. the procedure above was performed on a different options pkg as i dont have any butons / wires running to my mirror.

still need to know the hot wire to tap into and if the ground remains the black / green wire though located in the other pigtail harness up there. pls advise

[fdk8776]

The origianl word document doesn't work (corrupt file). Anyone have it that can send it to me? I know this is an old thread, but what the hell.

[BlueBee 6.1]

Man, I have saved all the links and writeups's on my PC and will try this is the spring. Have the U connect, so will try that in the mirror. Need to keep the cig lighter for my future A pillar guages, boost, oil press and air fuel...planning waaaay ahead, but I have a goal!

[Elvis]

Save your money don't buy a radar detector. I love writing tickets to people who have them. Save your money and buy mods for your vehicle.
Thanks,
NHP #662

Guys, ignore this smokey, buy the radar detector or radar jammer, they will save you money. My detector is about 6 years old and picks up X, K, KA, photo and laser and also picks up police coming up from behind you. I have not had a ticket in 4 years and my job has me driving 50k to 65k miles/year. Here are some other tips:

1. know your travel area, learn their habits, example in my area, early morning and the 2 hour window around lunch are the best times to speed.

2. Understand radar- for instance, speeding up to catch an 18 wheeler when you can't slow up quick enough will save you as radar bounces off the largest vehicle.

3. Motorcycle cops love to hide in the shadows of overpasses and next to concrete supports.

4. Watch the oncoming traffic especially the left lane, see a line of cars in both lanes far away, chances are the left front car is a cop.

5. The best colors for cars aid you in avoiding tickets - tan (hard to see), charcoal gray (blends with the highway), silver, and sometimes white if in the left lane.

6. A policeman friend of mine told me driving with my daytime headlights out will also aid me as the on/off shooters look for bouncing headlights to determine potential speeders. I have received much fewer tickets since he told me that.

Happy Driving:racing:

[glhs837]

Agreed, most of the detector users police do catch are those that thinks its a magic box that will make any possibility of getting a ticket fade away. If its not used a one tool in a comprehensive list of tactics and techniques, you will get nabbed.Its cat and mouse, and a smart mouse knows more than one trick.

Learn your area, I know what bands my locals use, where my constant false alerts are, how many laser units are around, the very few places my locals set up during sweeps. If an alert doesnt make sense, I slow down anyway.