Has anyone directly wired a radar detector in their 2009 Civic Si?

[gregbain2]

Has anyone on here directly wired a radar detector in their 2009 Civic Si? Specifically, using the direct wire smart cord from Escort with any Escort radar detector that can use it.

The only reason I'm asking is I previously bought a Cobra radar detector from BestBuy and ended up frying it by trying to install it using a direct wire kit that was also from BestBuy. Here's what I did: I had the positive wire tapped into the #8 fuse on the fuse box. The radar detector was already switched on and the wire was already plugged into it and I was merely trying to test a ground location. So I started my car, and touched the ground wire to a bolt I was going to use, and I hear a small pop. I look up and see a light smoke coming from the radar detector. I'm pretty sure I went wrong by not completing the circuit (having it grounded before starting the car, plugging the cord into it, and then turning the RD on). But I just want the reassurance of knowing that people have direct wired a radar detector in their 09 Si.

Thanks for any replies.

[chrishann24]

i have an o6 and im pretty sure they are all the same. I just spliced into my sunroof power. The grren wire underneath your map lights. super easy to do with only a short amount of wire.

[ojefferyo]

i havethe escort 9500 hardwired and no problems, i think the problem you had was something in the wiring itself.

[MojoNojo]

this may not be the type of help you're looking for, but i hardwired my cobra into the moonroof power with a female car adapter, which has a fuse in it, and used the power and ground from that...

[pookeye]

I did Hardwire my valentine one on my civic 2008, and im pretty positive your problem was you didnt ground it before turning your car on... next time ground first, then put positive.. Ground is most important.

Originally Posted by gregbain2

Has anyone on here directly wired a radar detector in their 2009 Civic Si? Specifically, using the direct wire smart cord from Escort with any Escort radar detector that can use it.

The only reason I'm asking is I previously bought a Cobra radar detector from BestBuy and ended up frying it by trying to install it using a direct wire kit that was also from BestBuy. Here's what I did: I had the positive wire tapped into the #8 fuse on the fuse box. The radar detector was already switched on and the wire was already plugged into it and I was merely trying to test a ground location. So I started my car, and touched the ground wire to a bolt I was going to use, and I hear a small pop. I look up and see a light smoke coming from the radar detector. I'm pretty sure I went wrong by not completing the circuit (having it grounded before starting the car, plugging the cord into it, and then turning the RD on). But I just want the reassurance of knowing that people have direct wired a radar detector in their 09 Si.

Thanks for any replies.