2_99_c5s

I finally got a Escort 8500 radar detector. I'd like to hard wire it. Which wires behind the rear view should I connect it to? (Only on when ignition's on) Thanks.

DeeGee

Heres the wiring diagram showing the two hot leads. I think I'd go for the one to the ignition circuit but your choice



I'm sure someone will pitch in whos actually done it.

SteveDoten

I have the wiring from a valentine that plugs into the 3 wire pwr from the bcm area, not sure if esc is same

JropTop

On my 02,12v switched is brown,black is groundon an electrochromatic auto dimming mirror!

Slider-01

I have a 97 with just a standard mirror (non-dimming) with just the two map lights and can't find the switched wires if it even has one. I have two orange on one side; black upper and brown lower on the other side of the plug into the mirror.
I can get power to the Escort with the top orange and black but have to manually turn it off. Can't seem to get any other wires to work. Wondering if having a manual mirror doesn't have the wiring for a 12v switched to the ignition.
Any hints?

Chevy-SS

My car is 2004 Coupe. I took my standard, non-dimming mirror completely off (very easy) and unplugged the connector. There were 4 wires on mine. I tested around with a test light until I found two connections with power switched to ignition key. HINT: DO THIS WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND DRIVER DOOR CLOSED. They were the bottom two on mine. Then I used voltmeter to confirm polarity (positive was on left/bottom).

Then, I crimped a couple of these connectors http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3004023 (pic below) on the two bottom wires at the mirror connector, and then soldered the male ends on a short wire to the detector:




All done. Works great. All hidden. This power can be used for any type of device, plus, if a crook reaches in the steal the detector, when he yanks on the wiring, the male ends will simply pull out from the mirror connectors and I won't have to repair the mirror wiring..... Plus, if I sell the car, I can easily remove the clips and the wires will still look unaltered (versus cutting and soldering)......

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Slider-01

Thanks for the info; I will give this a try. Just curious, what is your wire color pattern?
Did the two wires from the detectors matter which one you used or are either the same polarity?
Looking directly into the plug (as it plugs into the mirror) the two on the right are orange and the left top is black and the bottom brown?
Do you recall if yours is similar?
I assume you turned the ignition on and off to confirm switched 12v with the drivers door closed.
Great info, thanks.

cdnguyred88

I used the second Orange wire in and the brown wire. Just did this about 2 hours ago with an Invisicord on my '02.

Forgot I had this saved .... http://www.invisicord.com/docs/quickconnect.pdf

Slider-01

Mine is non-diming and only has four wires.
Just looked at mine; looking at the plug from the side that plugs into the mirror I seem to have two orange wires on the right. One looks to be a bit different shade than the other but they both look orange.
My brown wire is the bottom on the left; again, looking from the front of the plug as it plugs into the mirror.

Chevy-SS

OK, color pattern and exact wires are shown in this photo:




Oh man - VERY important! Make sure you ascertain which wire on the detector should get the positive feed, then wire accordingly. Many detectors come with a cigarette lighter plug. Well, just cut the wire, then insert the plug into cigarette lighter and then check polarity with voltmeter to locate positive. The wires will be marked (colored stripe, or raised edge), so now you can wire the positive feed from the mirror to the appropriate input on the detector.


Here's what you end up with when done. A working detector with key in 'on' position:



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Slider-01

Great info, thanks.
I checked mine today and I seem to have constant power to the top wires; black and orange; I don't have power to the lower two wires as you show in your diagram. I used a test light and got a very slight power indication on the lower orange (right) wire.
My car is a 97 and I am suspecting the wiring is different. My Passport 9500ix shuts down after 4 hours so if I don't remember to turn off it will eventually go off.
I am going to mess with it again later in the week but for right now it doesn't look like I have switched power at the mirror.

byronhunter

No Ign "Switched" wires in '97 standard mirror.

Slider-01

Ya, just figured that out!

Chevy-SS

Did you remember to check with the driver door closed? The power leads are not live if the driver door is open.

Of course, a '97 could be different than my 2004.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

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Slider-01

Yup, sure did.
Seems the 97 doesn't seem to have switched 12v at the mirror like the later models do.

adamgl

Old thread, but anyone know about a 2000 with standard mirror? Mine doesn't seem to have a switched 12v.
I'm using an invisacord and going to the constant 12v currently. I'm not sure what the bottom 2 wires are doing.
I've tried with door shut, ACC position and running.

TeamSpeed

After 15 minutes or so, doesn't the interior get its power cut automatically? Have you tried to just lock up the car and check back in 20 minutes? I was thinking this was the solution back in the beginning days of Invisicord.

adamgl

I haven't tried that. I'll prob just stick with manually turning it off if I can't get an easy switched source.

adamgl

I get .22 Amp draw on the passenger fuse block with radar detector plugged in and powered off.
Tried unplugging it and it makes no difference until 15 minutes, then it drops to .02 Amps (only with radar unplugged, stays at .22 with it in)

So I'll unplug radar when leaving car to sit more than 1 day.

Wish the switched source would work.

Dcollins3208

Which mirror do you have? I have an auto dimming mirror and have an invisicord installed to switched power where it turns off when I turn the car off. I'll go get the wire colors for you that I have mine connected to.