The Complete Radar Detector hardwire/V1 mounting guide - Page 2

darthtater · 06-15-2005, 05:56 AM

Do all Sti's come pre-wired for the power mirror? I do not have that option, but i do assume that it does have all the proper wiring already installed. I'm looking to do this also, aso any info would be a great help.

STirish · 06-15-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthtater

Do all Sti's come pre-wired for the power mirror? I do not have that option, but i do assume that it does have all the proper wiring already installed. I'm looking to do this also, aso any info would be a great help.

I believe so, that is where I tapped and I don't have the home link or auto dimming mirror.

i_venegas76 · 01-27-2006, 05:10 AM

I ll be doing this today

Chris05STi · 01-27-2006, 06:25 AM

WOW, very nice and detailed DIY.....before I was a little nervious on installing it, now it looks REALLY EASY!!!!!! Thanks!

813_05_STi · 01-29-2006, 09:18 PM

You just need this now

Its so nice to have everything right in front of you..

**nandanrp** · 01-31-2006, 07:42 PM

I added these notes about the install in another thread, so I figured I would update this thread with those posts:

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandanrp

Yeah...one small flathead pops out the maplight cover...couple screws inside there (2 maybe? I forget, but be very careful because they will fall out and get lost easily. I bought extra screws/washers at Ace 'cause I lost one). The map lights then come out, and there is a line running up in the headliner for the autodimming mirror (whether your car has the mirror or not, there is a line running up there). That wire is 12V switched, and is already run through the fusebox (the same fuse that the outside rearview mirrors are run to).

I followed this thread: The Complete Radar Detector hardwire/V1 mounting guide

Except I didn't bother with extending the wires - I just used the supplied vampire tap that the V1 comes with. I grounded the V1's hardwired power adapter by attaching the ground to one of the maplight's screws (one of the two gold screws you take off to get the maplights out). I also bought a multimeter to check which of the lines to vampire-tap to get the 12V. So to summarize

:

1. Take out the maplights
2. Take a multimeter reading to see which of the 3 lines for the autodimming mirror you should tap (you can ground your multimeter touching the bare metal in the roof).
3. Vampire tap the line you find
4. Tuck all wiring and the V1 adapter up in the ceiling (I tucked mine to the driver's side of the headliner, next to the maplights) and run the power cable down behind the rearview mirror
5. As you put the maplight back in, ground the V1 adapter on one of the screws (the gold screws have a permanent "washer," while the screw I bought at Ace has a separate washer - I stuck the V1 adapter's ground in between the screw head and washer, and it worked like a charm).
6. Finish putting the maplights back in, and you're done!

Remember, the 12V switched line will read 0V on your multimeter unless the ignition is turned to ACC or the engine is running. Also, be careful taking your multimeter reading as it's very easy to blow the fuse by shorting the circuit. There's one extra 20A fuse under the hood

Phew. Sounds more complex than it really was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandanrp

Yes, the vampire tap is the blue thing (I'm 99% sure, I don't remember the color exactly though). Basically, you "tap" the power line, and then the V1 power adapter's live wire plugs on top of the vampire tap. I don't remember what color the 12V line was in the bundle of wires that goes to the autodimming mirror - that's why I bought a multimeter, to check the voltage and make sure I had the correct line. Once you find that line, remove some of the OEM tape over the bundle, tap the correct line, and plug the V1 adapter onto the tap. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of my own, I had to rely on the ones in that thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandanrp

Oh and as far as how the vampire tap works - it folds in half, so that the sharp metal part (like a vampire's teeth

) cuts into the wire, and clamps shut onto the wire - basically, it's like a 'Y' adapter for the power line. Let me know if you need it clarified further.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandanrp

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by jamolie
Ahhh. Thanks for explaining. Unfortunately for me, my wires are brown, red/white, and black. LOL... I guess i'll need to go to get a multimeter in a few minutes. By the way, how do I test the wires once I get the multimeter? Do I need to cut the wire and touch it against the multimeter? Or is there a way to test the wires without cutting them? Thank you so much!

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Nooooo don't cut the wires. The mirror wires are terminated in a white plug. Ground the black cable from the multimeter (touch bare metal in the roof or a screw or something) and use the red probe to find which wire is the 12V line by touching the probe to each of the terminals inside the white plug end (it's like this: [o o o] looking straight into the plug, touch each of those and the multimeter will show 12V when you are properly grounded, touching the right line, and have the ignition turned on). Kapeesh?

HIREN · 01-31-2006, 09:42 PM

The blue wire is a switched power source right? Not always on?

Norseman · 02-07-2006, 03:07 PM

The best place to mount a detector is in a remote location benind the bumper, for a laser jammer the best place is in the grill for the front and near the license plate in the rear. The best setup is a Passport or a K40 bluetooth or a beltronics.

91TB78 · 02-07-2006, 04:34 PM

I would agree with you besides the radar detector position. I think higher on the car is better. Radar is more scattered than laser so higher up around the windshield would be ideal, for two reasons; rear visibility and greater visibility than the truck or car in front or behind you.

wrx23x · 02-23-2006, 02:57 PM

What would i need to hardwire a passport x50?

91TB78 · 02-23-2006, 03:30 PM

^^ the same thing you would for the V1....I would suggest vamp taps to tap into the power map light power source.

wrx23x · 02-23-2006, 04:09 PM

Where can i get all this stuff from?

91TB78 · 02-23-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx23x

Where can i get all this stuff from?

Did the Escort come with a hardwiring power cord? The parts I got from Home Depot. It was pretty easy, in fact I did it in the Home Depot parking lot with limited tools.

wrx23x · 02-23-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91TB78

Did the Escort come with a hardwiring power cord? The parts I got from Home Depot. It was pretty easy, in fact I did it in the Home Depot parking lot with limited tools.

It just came with a cord to plug into the cig lighter

91TB78 · 02-23-2006, 04:29 PM

Not sure then since I've never seen the new Escorts in person. Whatever adapter goes in to the unit itself and then connect the red and black. Do a search on nasioc or scoobymods.

06-15-2005, 05:56 AM	#16
darthtater Amateur STI Driver Car: collecting toys Location: Michigan Posts: 49 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Do all Sti's come pre-wired for the power mirror? I do not have that option, but i do assume that it does have all the proper wiring already installed. I'm looking to do this also, aso any info would be a great help. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

01-27-2006, 05:10 AM	#18
i_venegas76 Professional STI Driver Car: 2006 Subaru STI Fav Mod: Still stock, until I get more money for them Location: CT Posts: 455 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	bump I ll be doing this today

02-07-2006, 03:07 PM	#23
Norseman Silver Member Car: 04 WRX STi / C6 Corv Fav Mod: STP exhaust & cold air intake Location: Illinois Posts: 167 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Radar. The best place to mount a detector is in a remote location benind the bumper, for a laser jammer the best place is in the grill for the front and near the license plate in the rear. The best setup is a Passport or a K40 bluetooth or a beltronics.

02-23-2006, 04:29 PM	#30
91TB78 S204 Racer Car: 06 IX MR Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,667 Join Date: Mar 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	Not sure then since I've never seen the new Escorts in person. Whatever adapter goes in to the unit itself and then connect the red and black. Do a search on nasioc or scoobymods. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

01-27-2006, 06:25 AM	#19
Chris05STi I Has a Turbo Timer Car: 2005 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Every single one! Location: NJ Posts: 8,895 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (20)	WOW, very nice and detailed DIY.....before I was a little nervious on installing it, now it looks REALLY EASY!!!!!! Thanks!

01-29-2006, 09:18 PM	#20
813_05_STi Professional STI Driver Car: 2005 STi Fav Mod: Driver Location: Tampa Posts: 415 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (7)	You just need this now Its so nice to have everything right in front of you..

01-31-2006, 09:42 PM	#22
HIREN STI Driver Car: 04 STi Location: Central Texas Posts: 284 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	The blue wire is a switched power source right? Not always on?

02-07-2006, 04:34 PM	#24
91TB78 S204 Racer Car: 06 IX MR Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,667 Join Date: Mar 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	I would agree with you besides the radar detector position. I think higher on the car is better. Radar is more scattered than laser so higher up around the windshield would be ideal, for two reasons; rear visibility and greater visibility than the truck or car in front or behind you.

02-23-2006, 02:57 PM	#25
wrx23x STI Driver Car: 06 CGM STi Fav Mod: kicks Location: Palo Alto,California Posts: 237 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	What would i need to hardwire a passport x50?

02-23-2006, 03:30 PM	#26
91TB78 S204 Racer Car: 06 IX MR Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,667 Join Date: Mar 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	^^ the same thing you would for the V1....I would suggest vamp taps to tap into the power map light power source.

02-23-2006, 04:09 PM	#27
wrx23x STI Driver Car: 06 CGM STi Fav Mod: kicks Location: Palo Alto,California Posts: 237 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Where can i get all this stuff from?