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Hard Wire a radar detector

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dreinertuwm

New CEG'er
Joined
Jun 21, 2008
Messages
21
Location
Milwaukee, WI
I just bought the Escort 9500i and with the cig. lighter being so low in the contour it sucks having that cable go through the middle of the dash (cup holder, radio, climate control).

Has anyone done a hardwire for a radar detector? I was thinking of wiring it to the overhead map lights (what ever you want to call them) and putting the detector up by my rearview mirror so it's out of the way and harder to see from the outside. Then I only have a cable running 8-10" and it's completely out of the way.

Is this possbile and has anyone done it? Any cautions or concerns, I would solder to the light bulb wires and use electrical tape?

Lastly, how does that overhead plastic piece pull off I don't want to break it.

Thanks for the help.

Dallas
 
You gotta pull the panel with the lights and switchs off first (carefully pry with a skinny screwdriver is how i do it, dunno if theres a better way) then you can see 2 screws holding the big part on.


As far as the radar detector, all youll need it a power and a ground somewhere up there (not sure if there is any on the contour) cut the end of the plug off and there will be a pos/neg (be careful they are usually really small diameter wires)

I prefer to use a power that is only on when the key is turned on, so it turns off when you shut the car off.
 
hmmm this is a good idea, i haven't used my detector for months because it's just in the way, time for yet another project :laugh:
 
was bored so i went and did it.. took about 30 minutes which is friggin sweet i'm not good with electrical :)

i had an escort 8500.. power and ground were red and green.. and i connected the power to the sunroof switch since it's active when accessory is turned on.

quick fun mod

radarjk0.jpg
 
Berkel said:
was bored so i went and did it.. took about 30 minutes which is friggin sweet i'm not good with electrical :)

i had an escort 8500.. power and ground were red and green.. and i connected the power to the sunroof switch since it's active when accessory is turned on.

quick fun mod

radarjk0.jpg
Click to expand...

Best idea yet! :cool:
 
I have the 8500 too. I was going to get the hard wire kit for it, but got the ZR4 shifter kit instead. That has to be hard wired, and since it can be a module for the 8500, the detector is hard wired too. I tapped the radio's power and ran the wires up the piller and over to the rearview mirror. I zip tied it to the mirror shaft and the detector is right below the mirror. Eventually, I want to make a bracket to get rid of the suction cups.... then mount it above the mirror.
 
I hope you guys realize that the factory tint on the AS1 level will decrease your signal efficiency up there...

but other than that.. good job.
 
I have a Cobra (not sure exact Model) So just to double check all you have to do is split the wire on the power plug that goes into the cig lighter and wire into a active power switch?

I have done alot of soldering with head units, but nothing like this

Thanks
 
Ray said:
factory.

yes you do.

its what causes the sky to look darker blue on that upper 2 or 3 inches of the windshield.
Click to expand...
for some reason the 2000s dont have that tint.

its an old pic but its the best one i have of the windshield
Picture004.jpg


old pic of the 97 but you can see the ~3" factory tint strip on it thats clearly not on my SVT
hootersmeet2ps.jpg
 
WHUUU??????

I have had a 95LXV6, a 98SE, an E1, and my current 99SVT.. all had the trim.. What the heck is going on here.. haha
 
Ray said:
WHUUU??????

I have had a 95LXV6, a 98SE, an E1, and my current 99SVT.. all had the trim.. What the heck is going on here.. haha
Click to expand...

yea, i have nothing on my 99 SVT either. i wish i did, i cant see anything if the sun hits it. my windshield being pitted from rocks I'm guessing makes it horrible.
 
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