Wiring a Radar Detector
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: West Chester PA
Wiring a Radar Detector
I did a search in the archives and there are many threads regarding radar detectors but I couldn't seem to find one that was specific about how to hardwire one in a C5. That is, exactly where is a good place to hook up the ground and the power wire. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Auburn Michigan
I just used some 24 gauge 2 conductor wire from Radio Shack.
I wrapped the positive wire around the radio fuse lug in the fuse panel in the passenger footwell.
For the negative I just used a self tapping screw a sunk it in a metal support under the glove box.
Then take those wires and splice them into the radar detectors supplied cable.
You can tuck the wires behind the trim in the a-post and headliner and you will not see a wire.
Takes about 15 minutes max.
Easy hook up due to the location of the fuse panel. Plus when you turn on the engine the radar detector turns on automatically.
Good luck and keep us posted
I wrapped the positive wire around the radio fuse lug in the fuse panel in the passenger footwell.
For the negative I just used a self tapping screw a sunk it in a metal support under the glove box.
Then take those wires and splice them into the radar detectors supplied cable.
You can tuck the wires behind the trim in the a-post and headliner and you will not see a wire.
Takes about 15 minutes max.
Easy hook up due to the location of the fuse panel. Plus when you turn on the engine the radar detector turns on automatically.
Good luck and keep us posted
Le Mans Master
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From: North Texas Area Tx
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St. Jude Donor '03
I believe the 2003 still have the line in the passenger fuse panel. Should just be a couple wires on the left side of the panel. One should be hot with the key on.
Melting Slicks
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From: Auburn Michigan
O.C.
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Garden Grove Ca
Well if you have a V-1 then you can do like I did and just get their extra long cord. Run it over the pass visor, Under the A- pillar molding, behind the kick panel molding, under the door sill molding, around the back of the seat, then into the consol plug. Sounds like a lot but took all of 10 minutes to figure it out. No wires exposed and is pretty stealthy.
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Bill -
I have invisicords installed in all of my vehicles, and this way my wife and I can take our Valentines from car to car.
The invisicord taps into the power in the rearview mirror, avoiding the necessity to run wires down to the fuse block or elswhere -
The cord simply is inserted into the back of the plug that plugs into the rearview mirror.
You can use a volt/ohm meter to determine which wire is the switched hot lead.
http://www.invisicord.com/
best regards
mqqn
I have invisicords installed in all of my vehicles, and this way my wife and I can take our Valentines from car to car.
The invisicord taps into the power in the rearview mirror, avoiding the necessity to run wires down to the fuse block or elswhere -
The cord simply is inserted into the back of the plug that plugs into the rearview mirror.
You can use a volt/ohm meter to determine which wire is the switched hot lead.
http://www.invisicord.com/
best regards
mqqn
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Tampa Bay Area, U.S.A. (Zombie Nation)
careful where you connect
A behind-the-mirror connection might interrupt the supply voltage to your RD every time a door is opened. Some folks can live with that but others prefer a pass side footwell panel connection - always on if the ignition is on.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Bill, The long multiple pin din plug going into the C5's mirror is the way to power any detector. The two wires on the extreme passenger's side of the plug are what you want to tap into. I just soldered about 1/2" straight pins to the power leads on my V1 Radar Detector and stuck them into the back of the plastic plug making contact with the wire connectors in the appropriate locations. (I was using this method back a few cars ago and before the Invisicord was thought of.)
The locations; Both factory wires in this plug that we will use are black (dark brown?) the far outside (all the way toward the passenger's side) is switched + and the (same color) right next to it (toward the driver's side is the ground. I described it this way so as not to matter which way you are looking at the factory plug (from the front, through the windshield) or from sitting in the seats. Any problems, PM me.
Ed (Ol'55)
The locations; Both factory wires in this plug that we will use are black (dark brown?) the far outside (all the way toward the passenger's side) is switched + and the (same color) right next to it (toward the driver's side is the ground. I described it this way so as not to matter which way you are looking at the factory plug (from the front, through the windshield) or from sitting in the seats. Any problems, PM me.
Ed (Ol'55)
Last edited by Ol'55; Aug 18, 2008 at 12:33 AM.
Race Director
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I did a search in the archives and there are many threads regarding radar detectors but I couldn't seem to find one that was specific about how to hardwire one in a C5. That is, exactly where is a good place to hook up the ground and the power wire. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
Underneath the passenger footwell, you can tap into the power there. Mine took about 30 minutes and its pretty stealth - radar detector powers on and off with the key and I move my detector between the 3 Corvettes.
Last edited by xlr8nflorida; Aug 18, 2008 at 01:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: FL
the invisicord is just a 2 foot wire that goes from the radar detector and hooks up to the rear view mirror wires.
This is where I have mine installed. I didnt use an invisicord though just 2 electrical crimpers
yes like someone mentioned when the doors open the radar detector restarts, but who cares?
This is where I have mine installed. I didnt use an invisicord though just 2 electrical crimpers
yes like someone mentioned when the doors open the radar detector restarts, but who cares?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: North Port Fl
Using the invisicord or hard wiring your detector, you will loose that function. Short of doing surgury on you cord and using those parts to hard wire the detector and mounting the mute button somewhere accessable. I don't know of a way to keep this function.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Auburn Michigan
Not sure if the 2003's have homelink on the mirror? but if you wanted to kill 2 birds with one stone that would do it.
I am installing a auto dimming homelink mirror Friday (UPS permiting) but since I already have the switched and fused 12 volt line up there for the detector,It should be a piece of cake.
I will post pics when I am done of where the wires run and how the radio fuse gets tapped.
Very easy to do and you have protection of a fuse on the line you are running.
I am installing a auto dimming homelink mirror Friday (UPS permiting) but since I already have the switched and fused 12 volt line up there for the detector,It should be a piece of cake.
I will post pics when I am done of where the wires run and how the radio fuse gets tapped.
Very easy to do and you have protection of a fuse on the line you are running.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
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yes like someone mentioned when the doors open the radar detector restarts, but who cares?[/QUOTE]
That would be annoying as ****
It takes literally no time to do it the way I wired it and the wire is just as clean or cleaner then if it comes out of the mirror.
That would be annoying as ****
It takes literally no time to do it the way I wired it and the wire is just as clean or cleaner then if it comes out of the mirror.
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
On some Corvettes there are switched and non-switched leads to the mirror, that is why I indicated that you could use a multi-meter to decide which one to tap.
best regards -
mqqn
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
The OP asked what options are available, and I posted one option.
Your way works for you - my way works for me and both are options the OP should be able to choose from.
No need to have to "defend" your way of doing it, noone has said that your way was better or worse.
luckyirishguy - check out the link to the invisicord site. I do have some pictures, but I have not put them on my web site yet.
As some have mentioned, you can make your own harness - I simply put out there what I did as an option. Love it or leave it.
best regards -
mqqn
Last edited by mqqn; Aug 18, 2008 at 10:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
My Valentine 1 is wired to the mirror and has a mute built in to the detector (don't they all?) and is switched power when the ignition key is in either aux or run, and doesn't go off or on when the door is opened or anything else weird. I PMed Bill the correct C5 mirror wiring directions and as a local offered my help if needed. as for fused protection? the mirror is protected on the map light circuit. An Invisicord? Telephone cable works great.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Port Orchard WA
Below is the link that I used to assit me with my install. The link below is for a Valentine but will work for any detector. Good luck. R/ Al
http://www.spdkilz.com/techtipv1.html
http://www.spdkilz.com/techtipv1.html