DIY: radar detector hard wire

[SpareNoExpenses]

I forgot to add this and for some reason I can't edit my last post.. if you were to mount the suction cups on the tint strip and have the detector face directed through the clear (untinted) partition of the windshield then it would not affect the performance for front detection.

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by SpareNoExpenses

Where did you get that fuse tap from? how much was it?

[SpareNoExpenses]

It was like $4.50 from what I remember.. def. not over $5.00 though, and I got it from Auto-zone although they carry them at most auto parts stores. It was a bitch to find it but it's nestled in with all the fuses and electrical parts.

[Noyty]

Originally Posted by Chase

Proof please, basically what you are saying is that a tint will not let radio waves through.... Tint blocks certain amounts of light, not radio waves.. please provide some proof..

Here's proof from Valentine 1 website:

Ask Mike - Report #2

"Avoid putting your detector behind the tint band at the top, unless you're sure it has no effect. We found major losses due to the tint on some cars, and no additional losses on others."

"You might add a tint strip across the top of your windshield to cut glare. If so, a laser detector will suffer a serious loss of performance when placed behind the tint."

[PiKAniu]

so i have an 08 si sedan with moonroof and am doing this mod as we speak. i tried everything out before i put it back together and works fine. after i put it back together it doesnt work. any ideas?
oh ya i used the purple wire like instructed with a t-tap.

thx
matt

[PiKAniu]

cant edit my last post. also when i unhooked everything and connect the ground and the positive wires to where they need to go, the detector doesnt turn off. its like a constant power source. really weird.

[PiKAniu]

nevermind I got it. seems that the ground is a little more tricky then at first look. ill post pics once i get thing mounted to the windshield.

[PiKAniu]

ok so the only wire in there in my 08 si sedan is a pinkish color one. and i just noticed now that when the interior lights go off, it turns back on. i dont have a tester to see which is hot or not. can anyone provide help as to which color wire is the moonroof wire?

thx all
matt

[Noyty]

Originally Posted by PiKAniu

ok so the only wire in there in my 08 si sedan is a pinkish color one. and i just noticed now that when the interior lights go off, it turns back on. i dont have a tester to see which is hot or not. can anyone provide help as to which color wire is the moonroof wire?

thx all
matt

Is it possible that we can't hard wire a radar detector into the 08 sedan dome lights? That would suck.

[PiKAniu]

ok so it doesnt work. it seems to turn off when you open the door and then turns back on when the lights turn off. i used the pinkish wire, since there was no purple in my 08 si sedan with moonroof. does anyone just know the power wire for the moonroof?

thx all matt

[SpeedworkS]

Excuse me for being an idiot but Did you dismantle the actual passport plug in and if so how did you do it?

[PiKAniu]

i didnt dismantle any plug i just pulled out the plug with 8ish wires in it and then t-taped into the pink one to try and get the RD hardwired. I guess ill have to go hit the auto parts store and get an add a circuit

[SpareNoExpenses]

Why are you all cutting up your factory harnesses when you can use a fuse tap? Not hating.. just curious.. I ran mine from the fusebox right up the A pillar and your not having to leech your power off another source.

[natedog_37]

I have the auto dim rear mirrow. I am going to see if I can tap into that since they had to run new wire for it.

[Chase]

Originally Posted by Noyty

Here's proof from Valentine 1 website:

Ask Mike - Report #2

"Avoid putting your detector behind the tint band at the top, unless you're sure it has no effect. We found major losses due to the tint on some cars, and no additional losses on others."

"You might add a tint strip across the top of your windshield to cut glare. If so, a laser detector will suffer a serious loss of performance when placed behind the tint."

excellent thank you.

[PiKAniu]

so i did run the wires down to the fuse box and used an add a circuit. so now the only thing is when i turn off the car the RD stays on. ALL THE TIME. it doesnt shut off when i turn off hte power even though it is run through the fuse box. and also does anyone know of a good ground under the dash?

thx all
matt

[SpareNoExpenses]

If you look at the silver nut directly right center of the fuse box you can see that I grounded the negative lead of my RD to it. Works great!

[/quote]

[PiKAniu]

ok so i got it to work now. i used the unused number 8 slot and that caused it to stay on all the time. so i tried switching it to the number 10 i believe, its the next unused slot. works LIKE A CHARM!!!! turns off when the car is off, turns on when the car is turned on. i cant be happier with it. ill post pics tomorrow once i get up.

[SpareNoExpenses]

Weird.. mine is in the #8 slot and performs like that.. I wonder if it is different on your car because it's an SI

[PiKAniu]

to me it sounds like not alot of people have info on the 08's yet. thats why i have been having trouble. IMO. the only thing i noticed today however what the RD picked up a cop and didnt make any noise. but i am off to milwaukee for a bacholer party so ill worry more about it money when i am sober, lol.