DIY: radar detector hard wire

[rmfa]

Anyone? I want to go to radio shack and grab them, I would love to know exactly what to get..

thanks in advance,

[rmfa]

I'm talking about the little red clip in the picture below..



Thanks!

[rmfa]

ok, I just finished my install..

There are TWO green wires. Its the larger of the two. With a good ground, it works great. If you have a mic, DO NOT DISCONNECT the little green harness. You will never get that bastard back in!

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by rmfa

Where did you get those little clips?

The clip holding the radar detector up? it comes with it.

[turbo311]

Originally Posted by rmfa

ok, I just finished my install..

There are TWO green wires. Its the larger of the two. With a good ground, it works great. If you have a mic, DO NOT DISCONNECT the little green harness. You will never get that bastard back in!

Haha I just did mine and that little green bastard plug took forever to get back in! I had to pop out the tabs and pull out the center switches! The V1 has a chunky little relay that you have to shove in there with a ton of wire, so it's crammed and kinda pushing out the headliner, but only noticeable by feel.

So, my first electric install (besides headlight bulbs)!

And I just wanted to say this was an incredibly convenient post and I really appreciate the effort!

[ozapper]

This is a great DIY! Thanks OP.

This is my first post and also my first DIY project on my '07 Civic EX Coupe which I purchased yesterday (for $200 below invoice)!

It took me about 30 minutes for the project....start to finish. I installed my Valentine 1 detector which I had previously connected via the traditional power plug.

I now have a problem which wasn't a problem before this install. The map lights do not function properly. I cannot turn them on or off. However, they do turn on when the switch is set to door and the door is opened. When the door is shut, they dim and then soon after go out. When the lights are on because of the door, I can push them and turn either of them off or on--which is normal and great! However, once the door shuts and the lights go out, I can no longer turn them on. It doesn't matter what position the key is in, it is the same result--no ability to turn the map lights on or off.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be wrong and how I might fix it?

I double checked the ground and it is secure. I also am pretty sure that I tapped the right wire (from what I can tell, I chose the thicker of the two green wires). The Valentine 1 works beautifully and when the key is removed from the car, it loses power and turns off.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by ozapper

This is a great DIY! Thanks OP.

This is my first post and also my first DIY project on my '07 Civic EX Coupe which I purchased yesterday (for $200 below invoice)!

It took me about 30 minutes for the project....start to finish. I installed my Valentine 1 detector which I had previously connected via the traditional power plug.

I now have a problem which wasn't a problem before this install. The map lights do not function properly. I cannot turn them on or off. However, they do turn on when the switch is set to door and the door is opened. When the door is shut, they dim and then soon after go out. When the lights are on because of the door, I can push them and turn either of them off or on--which is normal and great! However, once the door shuts and the lights go out, I can no longer turn them on. It doesn't matter what position the key is in, it is the same result--no ability to turn the map lights on or off.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be wrong and how I might fix it?

I double checked the ground and it is secure. I also am pretty sure that I tapped the right wire (from what I can tell, I chose the thicker of the two green wires). The Valentine 1 works beautifully and when the key is removed from the car, it loses power and turns off.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

im not sure what would cause this.

make sure you have the correct green wire, as far as i know the two green wires are the same thinkness.

(i did mine on an 06 perhaps the 07 is different.)

[rmfa]

Originally Posted by benmunger

The clip holding the radar detector up? it comes with it.

No, I was asking about the little RED clip. I found them at Autozone...

[Yo Nadz]

Can you cut and splice the cigerette adapter and use it to hardwire?? Or do I need to go buy somekind of kit?

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by Yo Nadz

Can you cut and splice the cigerette adapter and use it to hardwire?? Or do I need to go buy somekind of kit?

you can buy the one they have OR splice the wire it comes with.

[06RALLYREDSI]

can someone break this install down for me..

[DJFriar]

Originally Posted by 4*Banger

Nice write up, but radar detectors can be counter detected and confiscated, and cost u a ticked here in Toronto. That is unless you keep up to date with them and always have the newest one.

Just a note, Radar detectors are legal in all 50 states. Sorry Canada.

Great write up, I will be doing this to my V1 soon, just debating where to put the remote display right now.

[TexasK20Z]

Originally Posted by DJFriar

Just a note, Radar detectors are legal in all 50 states. Sorry Canada.

Great write up, I will be doing this to my V1 soon, just debating where to put the remote display right now.

Whoa there... just to clear up this bit of incorrect information... radar detectors are legal in most states. They are, however, illegal in Virginia and Washington DC.

And thanks for the write up... this will hopefully be carried out on my car Friday as my first "mod"

[TexasK20Z]

All right a couple of things and a big thank you for the write up!

1. The hot wire was not green at all in my 2007 Si sedan. The switched wire was the purple wire (and there were not two green wires). Don't be lazy... get you digital multimeter out and test the wires to find the correct one.

2. In order to get the map light covers off, use a small flat head screw driver to pry gently from the side of the lens closes to the back of the car... the lights are not held in tight, so if you have to use any amount of real force, stop and try again.

3. Suction cups do not stick to that dot matrix stuff. My detector is mounted just to the right of the rear view mirror with the suction cups as close to the dots as possible.

:) First mod on my car.

[RTBsi]

Originally Posted by TexasK20Z

All right a couple of things and a big thank you for the write up!

1. The hot wire was not green at all in my 2007 Si sedan. The switched wire was the purple wire (and there were not two green wires). Don't be lazy... get you digital multimeter out and test the wires to find the correct one.

2. In order to get the map light covers off, use a small flat head screw driver to pry gently from the side of the lens closes to the back of the car... the lights are not held in tight, so if you have to use any amount of real force, stop and try again.

3. Suction cups do not stick to that dot matrix stuff. My detector is mounted just to the right of the rear view mirror with the suction cups as close to the dots as possible.

:) First mod on my car.

Did this today after work in my '07 Si Coupe.

I wired it to the green as described in the DIY and it works great as far as I'm concerned. The detector shuts off when the doors open, just like the sunroof (not sure if this is the sunroof power, but that's my hunch - can anyone confirm?). There are two green wires in the harness in my coupe.

I found the same with #2 and #3 above. It would be really annoying to snap one of the tabs for the map light covers.

Benefits of mounting it to the right of the mirror: an unobstructed view out the rear of the car; detector and bracket are removable in case you have to park in a bad area.

All in all - this DIY rocks. Thanks benmunger.

[TexasK20Z]

Originally Posted by RTBsi

Did this today after work in my '07 Si Coupe.

I wired it to the green as described in the DIY and it works great as far as I'm concerned. The detector shuts off when the doors open, just like the sunroof (not sure if this is the sunroof power, but that's my hunch - can anyone confirm?). There are two green wires in the harness in my coupe.

I wonder if there is a difference (Actually, I know there must be)... my car is an 07 Si sedan... not a coupe. The ONLY wire that tested for 12v with key in ignition was the purple wire on my car... the detector stays on until a door is opened... :)

[Sirbelch]

I have talked to CHP and city cops and they both say that if they pull you over for speeding and see a radar detector in your car, there is no way in hell they will let you go with a warning. Anyone that has a radar detector has it to avoid speeding tickets and cops know this. If you are gonna get one, spend the money on an intagrated one that fits on the bumbers and hides in the dash. If you don't have the money, just use your eyes and look for the cops.

[TexasK20Z]

Originally Posted by Sirbelch

I have talked to CHP and city cops and they both say that if they pull you over for speeding and see a radar detector in your car, there is no way in hell they will let you go with a warning. Anyone that has a radar detector has it to avoid speeding tickets and cops know this. If you are gonna get one, spend the money on an intagrated one that fits on the bumbers and hides in the dash. If you don't have the money, just use your eyes and look for the cops.

During the time without a radar detector, I was pulled over 17 times. All but one of those resulted in tickets. Since I got the radar detector, I have been pulled over twice (once was total BS... the other laser). The time with the laser, I was gonna get a ticket regardless... something about 85 in a 60 in traffic (I was passing)... although the intergrated units offr some advantages, I don't think they justify the additional cost... that is... unless you are talking about Lidatek products... :devil:

[JZILLA]

to solve dot matrix suction cup problem for radars just put a piece of clear tape over them and they will suction to the tape

[xmx250]

Originally Posted by JZILLA

to solve dot matrix suction cup problem for radars just put a piece of clear tape over them and they will suction to the tape

I'm gonna try this. What kind of tape? like scotch tape?