maxvalley

Valentine Radar Detector powered from rear view mirror is a simple build takes about 15 minutes. I have a lot of electric components and tools but it can be done very easily with the following.

Supplies:
1.Black coiled phone handset cable, Cut to 8” one end with RJ11 connector still attached.
2.Shrink tubing* 1/16” four inches long, cut into 2” inch pieces (black)
3.Shrink tubing* 1/8” one inch long (black)
4.Two RS 232-male contact D-Sub pins
5.Small tie wrap (black)

Tools:
Diagonal cutters, Needle nose pliers, hair dryer*

Wiring Diagram:
RJ11 Connector........................Mirror power connector for 2000-2004 C5 Corvette with Autodim mirror

Black---Cut not used
White--------Crimp RS232 pin- >Second socket hole mirror (orange) connector
White--------Crimp RS232 pin ->Last socket hole mirror (brown) connector
Red---Cut not used

Assembly:
1. Strip 2 inches of black phone cord insallation to exposing 4 wires: black, white, white and red. Cut Black and Red wire not used. Crimp RSC232 pins on white wires. (wire is delicate to strip use a lighter and burn off insulation about 1/2")

2. *Slide 1/8 shrink tubing over both RSC232 pins, slide 1/16 shrink tubing over each RS232 pin, heat with hair dryer to shrink.

3. Insert pins into back of mirror power connector, plug RJ11 into Detector (pins may have to be reversed) turn on detector and key to accessories (door must be closed for power to be live at mirror). Once satisfied tie wrap phone cord to mirror power cord to hold connections securely.



TIPS for connecting"
97, 98, 99 C5 Corvette
Standard
(Doors MUST be closed)
Orange Black

00+ C5 Corvette Autodim
(Doors MUST be closed)
Brown Orange (2nd wire
in)

C6 Corvette Autodim
(vehicle must be running)
Lower Middle Pink Black, top row
C6 Corvette Standard Top Row Orange Top Row Black

* Shrink tubing makes it look cleaner, it’s not necessary.

While I was at it I made half a dozen up....PM if you want one.

KrispyZ06

Thanks for sharing this info! Do you know what wires to tap into on the mirror side?

MSG C5

Cool, however I thought they already made these mirror wiring harnesses so that you don't have to do all the cutting?

CamminC5

They do, but they are $15. You can buy a phone cord for $2-$3...It's your money...

Use a meter/test light

MSG C5

[QUOTE=CamminC5;1574988601]They do, but they are $15. You can buy a phone cord for $2-$3...It's your money...

True, however the one I saw earlier also included the mount hardware to connect to the mirror so you can ditch the suction cups and the wiring only required a plug in. I will skip one Value Meal to cover the difference.

CamminC5

I haven't seen the mounting bracket. Do you have a link?

I admit I'm a cheap-***...I can't help it.

KrispyZ06

Yea did this....

There isnt a 12V key switched source at the mirror.

It is constant 12V (except when I am in reverse for some strange reason)

If you can prove me wrong I will paypal you $5

MSG C5

I will try to find it and post it. Nothing wrong with being a cheap ***. A local convenience store just installed one of those Blockbluster Express kiosks. I feel like an idiot after finding out that I've spent $4.99with Fios for the same movie I can rent for $1 out of machine located at the same gas station/store I stop for gas and drive by at least twice a day.

..more money for mods!

flyingmk

Is it worth the money??

CamminC5

Look at the harness with the clip facing up. The black wire is last and is your ground. The brown wire that is beside it is the 12v IGN. Paypal is CameronPope@aol.com

This is how mine is hooked up and I have no issues when in reverse.

KrispyZ06

Awesome, I will try that and when it works I'll send you the $5. Lunch on me!

CamminC5

I was kidding man don't send me any money...I hope it works. If not let me know and I'll send a pic. Do you have the monochromatic (however the hell its spelled) mirror? I do, and that could be a difference between us...

KrispyZ06

I do indeed have the electro-chromatic mirrors. I just went outside and tested the black and brown wire. First try it tested 12+V, then I connected the ground of the radar detector and checked again. This time it only showed mV range. I removed the partially connected radar detector and checked and it was still mV range. I then connected the harness back to the mirror and the mirror functioned. Really strange. Any ideas?

maxvalley

I do indeed have the electro-chromatic mirrors. I just went outside and tested the black and brown wire. First try it tested 12+V, then I connected the ground of the radar detector and checked again. This time it only showed mV range. I removed the partially connected radar detector and checked and it was still mV range. I then connected the harness back to the mirror and the mirror functioned. Really strange. Any ideas?


TRY Orange and Black

97, 98, 99 C5 Corvette
Standard
(Doors MUST be closed)
Orange & Black

00+ C5 Corvette Autodim
(Doors MUST be closed)
Brown & Orange (2nd wire
in)

C6 Corvette Autodim
(vehicle must be running)
Lower Middle Pink Black, top row
C6 Corvette Standard Top Row Orange Top Row Black

CamminC5

I don't know. I didn't have my doors closed when I tested the wires, nor did anyone tell me which wires to use. I don't have any issues with the detector either.

Orange is the standard GM switched 12v color wire. Has been for many years...

KrispyZ06

Ok, thanks to all who replied and helped with the issue.

Last weekend I decided to dig deep and figure out which wires were needed and I tried all the above suggestions, only finding constant 12V as I mentioned before. So I consulted my factory service manual and found the pin out for the connector behind the mirror. For my 2002 Z06 with the Electrochromatic mirrors it was the left two wires (brown and black) as posted by another forum member.

So I went back to my car and tested again, this time verifying I had a good ground by checking for resistance to a known good ground. I found out that I did indeed have a good ground at the mirror (the black wire) but I wasn’t getting 12V through the brown wire (ignition 3- per the service manual). I then began tracing the wire back through the service manual until I found out that it traces back to fuse #22 (in the passenger footwell) That fuse was not present in my car, however after looking at the service manual (and owners manual) it was intentionally left blank. The fuse that controls the switched power to the rear view mirror was
#21. I pulled this fuse and found it was partially blown. After replacing the fuse everything turned out to be ok.

Check the pictures below to see how I tapped into the factory plug/ made my modification easily reversible.






Location of spliced power feed^

Location of spliced power feed (showing connector end)^

Connector and lead moved inside the factory wire protection sheath^

Full harness and connector shown before attaching to mirror^

All mounted up and ready to go!^

*Sorry I am limited to crappy image hosts while I am at work. If you are really interested in the pictures send me your email address (by PM) and I will send them to you.

Thanks again for all the help!

royalmike

Thanks saved me figuring it out.