Hardwiring radar detector?

[Petrograde]

I would like to hardwire my Passport 8500 into the electrical system. How do I do it?

[Logan]

Easiest place for power is your center gauge pod. Two alligator clips at the rear of the pod attach it. Move your gear level down to 1st to get it out of the way, then grab the rearmost corners of the pod, and pull sharply towards you and slightly down.

Once the pod's off, the switched ignition 12v source you need is the red w/yellow stripe wire, and the ground is obviously the black wire. Either gauge power/ground will work just fine.

From there, just route your power wire under the dash up the A pillar up under the headliner and out whereever you need it.

[Petrograde]

Wow! that was fast! thanks Logan!

[Petrograde]

yup, I pulled the console, pretty easy. I ordered the direct wire kit from Escort. I didn't have a warm fuzzy about cutting off the plug, besides I think it's too short. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait on UPS.

BTW, I got a good look at our non-funtioning oil pressure guage, is it just a matter of replacing the guage with a funtioning one? Or is there more wiring involved?

Thanks!:D

[Logan]

Don't cut the plug!! Pull the harness out a bit, and just clip the harness tape back a bit and use a wiretap to tap into the wire. Failing that, just undo a gauge and pull it out a bit, more than enough wire to use a wiretap on. Cutting factory harnesses up is ghetto! ;)

It's two parts, it's replacing the gauge, and replacing the sender on the oil filter housing in the engine bay.

[Jeff]

You'll need to run a sending unit to the engine. I think there is a nice walk-through in the gallery.

[marchyde]

Any way to use the power from the rear view mirror?

[Glenn]

Yes, I agree that the rear view mirror power take-off looks like a real possibily. Anyone try this approach? I have a Beltronics 940 and I must get rid of the coiled power cord soon.

Glenn

[Logan]

'suppose you could without issue, you'll just have to probe the wires to find the switched 12v source.

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

Petrograde, I too have the 8500. I ordered the Directwire Smartcord from Escortradar.com for $29.95. The cord comes with a remote head that comes in handy when you are running in the dark mode at night because you can mount it in an inconspicuous place and still see the alert as well as being able to mute it without the outside world seeing you have a radar dector. This was well worth the money IMHO. You will need a 1/4 in. deep well socket set with an extension and a swivel, a flashlight, and a 12v. power probe to do the job. I removed the knee panel below the steering wheel, the left trim molding running up the side of the windshield, and the left sun visor assembly. Once all of this was removed I dropped the fuse block under the dash and found an empty port that is wired to the ignition switch. Look in your owners manual and you will be able to find this in the fuse section on pgs 146 - 147. The Smartcord has a blade connecter for the power side and an eyehook for the ground side already attached. You can either use the plug splice connector provided with the kit and splice it onto an ignition controlled wire, or remove the existing wire from the fuse block and attach the power cord wire with the ignition wire. Using the splice connector is nice because once you splice it onto the wire all you have to do is insert the blade into the splice connector. Next I found a good ground and attached the ground wire, this is easily accomplished using an existing mounting screw hole for the knee panel. Be certain to mount the ground so it doesn't interfere witht the knee panel replacement. I mounted the remote head to the right side of the steering column on the knee panel. I can see it clearly during the day and night from that position and I don't have to reach for it to mute the radar detector. Next I ran the portion of the wire that attaches to the detector up the left "A" pillar post across the top or the headliner trim panel to the front of the overhead console. When I got to the overhead console I tucked the wire under the rear view mirror harness and tucked it under the headliner trim panel. My detector is mounted to the right side of, and above my rearview mirror. Make sure you leave enough of a lead to connect to your detector. NOW before you sew everything back up, test your work. Connect your detector and turn your ignition on to see if your detector works. Once everything is satisfactory start replacing the parts you removed. When replacing your sunvisor assembly be careful not to pinch your powercord wire running to the detector in the assembly. After all parts are replaced test your work again, everything should work just fine, and you'll be finished with a professional looking installation. if you are going to do this Petrograde and you have any questions, send me a PM and I will do my best ot help you.

Tim :fire: 49

[Petrograde]

Hey Thanks Tim! I ordered the Smart Cord online yesterday, I hope to have it by Monday. I appreciate your guidance! I am a fair wrench turner, but I'm a terrible spark chaser!

I'll be sure to send ya a PM if I get stuck! Thanks again!

[01 Interceptor]

I ran my direct wire along the top of my windshield, down the a pillar, to the fuse box. It is plugged in the same outlet as the one for my radio(power when on/acc) and there is a screw around there I used for the ground. Of course this is on my '01 PI, it also is the same for my '96 SS, I would imagine something very similar to the MM. Either way is good, but the way I did it sounds much easier...nothing to tear apart aside from the fuse panel lid. :D

[Glenn]

I checked the rear view mirror power connector and it is easily removed for soldering power leads from my radar detector power cord to the exposed copper contacts on the mirror connector. The mirror is key on operated. It seems like the quickest way to power a detector. I plan on doing mine tomorrow.

Glenn

[Petrograde]

I got the smart wire cord today, but I was too busy applying Zaino to my MM to get to it. I will in the morning ... well, actually in the afternoon, I gonna try 01Intercepter's advise and wire it to the fuse box. It seems like the least "ghetto" way to go! :D

Thank you all for the great advise! It is MUCH appreciated!;)

[halucin8]

Yes,

You can tap into the back of the mirror. That was the easiest way to hook my V1. I did it this way on my 99 marquis with no problems. For some reason, the power to the mirror cuts off while in reverse on the Marauder. So, when you start the car, detector comes on. Put in reverse, it cuts off. Back in drive, comes back on. I don't know why it does this on the Marauder. Maybe some safety reason or something.

[nslatin]

The power dimmer shuts off when the car is in reverse. Saftey feature. There are three wires on the mirror. If one is the ground, then you need to use the other wire and you can maintain power to RD.