Hardwiring a Radar Detector

[Tromping_Maniac]

I recently bought a Valentine 1 Radar detector and am now tired of looking at the coiled cord from the cigarette lighter to the windsheild. Has anyone on the forum ever hardwired something like this? I'm looking to wire it into something that only has power when the car is on, any suggestions? Aswell I've only done a few things with automotive wiring before like my boost gauge, do you think this will be harder than that?

Thanks in advance everyone.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

vortex probably has this in the stickied mk4 forum diy thread.. or just search i've seen tons of hardwired installs on there

[RONDAL]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

if you find out let me know, i am looking to put my V1 in my Mk3 into hardwire.
from what i gather most go through the sunroof controls if you have it. i just gotta figure out how to access this area

[Khyron]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

I did my Bell a few months ago. If you do the W8 mod, you can run both wires at the same time. There is no switched power up there that I could find, and I did test all the sunroof lines; it's all constant on. So you run a powered wire from the fuse box (14? Same one you use for aftermarket stereos) and run it all the way up the A-pillar and across the headliner to the mirror, then run it down. I didn't find it hard, but had already done boost gauge/w8 so was familiar with all the snaps and stuff.

Khyron

[Tromping_Maniac]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

I was thinking of just running the wire up the A-pillar like you suggested Geoff. But did you use some form of adhesive to keep the wire between the windsheild and the headliner?

[Khyron]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

No just undo the screws holding your little night glare shield (some call it the mini-sun visor behind your mirror) and you can pull the liner down enough to stuff wire behind it. No wire showing. Tucking behind the apillar is a pain but you can do it without any wire showing as well.

I think I used a coat hanger, and taped the wire to it then pulled the wire though, just for the front bit by the mirror. You can ground it almost anywhere up there.

Khyron

[Tromping_Maniac]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

I'll have to give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it works out.

[Stonewall]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=48163
Some good info there

[Swoosh2]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=48163
Some good info there

Sound Surround will do it for 20$ if you dont feel like fiddling with it :P

[Kor]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

I am a radar detector.


Blip.

[Tromping_Maniac]

Re: Hardwiring a Radar Detector

Thanks everyone, I finished it today by using a fuse tap into the fuse box and running the wire through the headliner. On the downside I cracked a piece of my A-pillar at the top trying to get it off :( But its not very noticeable, oh well. Thanks again