Radar Detector Hardwiring for Dummies...
03-04-2007, 03:59 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Radar Detector Hardwiring for Dummies...
... Step-by-Step Instructions, including pics.
Decided to hardwire my Escort Passport this morning. Gathered info from various posts and Renntech articles. Following find instructions... hopefully this will be helpful for those of you who want to do the same. I'm pretty sure the steps for hardwiring a Valentine are pretty much the same.
This took me about 2 hours, mainly because I wanted to make sure I did everything correct. Would take me probable about 30 mins or less if I had to do it again.
1. This is the SmartCord Hardwire Kit from Escort ($28.99)
2. Locate carpeted side panel on either the driver's or passenger's side. I did everything from driver's side, but steps should be pretty much the same if you work from the other side.
3. Remove side panel by gently puling it
4. Locate phone connector (Blue connector will not be on the phone plug)
5. The blue connector is a special 3M connector that allows you to tap into an existing wire without having to use other connectors or having to solder. You position it around the 'switched circuit' wire and squeeze it together with pliers. After you're done with this, the connector on the smartcord can be plugged into this. The switched wire to use, is the Green/Black colored one.
6. Next, I removed the cd holder and cubby hole by pushing them out from the back. I want to install the 'remote control' for the SmartCord in the cubby hole
7. Using a 5/8 drill bit, I made a hole in the top of the cubby hole
8. I fed all the wires through the hole I drilled
9. Next I grounded the SmartCord. Attached it to one of he screws that is in the area where you find the phone connector
10. I plugged the insulated connector on the SmartCord harness into the blue 3M connector and tested if the radar detector turned on/off while starting the car
11. Remove the side vent by pulling forward the control button -25- of the light switch -31- as far as it will go -direction of the arrow- towards the front. Press in the locking device at the lower side using a small screwdriver and remove the control button towards the front (the numbers here revert to the diagram I posted at the bottom of all the pics)
12. Undo the THREE fastening screws. Two screws are on the side and one screw is hidden in/behind the light switch
13. Pull the side vent towards the front
14. Guide the wire that will go to the radar detector behind the dashboard and around the vent and work it upwards in the A pillar
15. I used a flat head screw driver covered with tape and 'credit card' to push the wire behind the A pillar and under where the front window and roof lines connect. Absolutely no need to remove A pillar or other pieces... it was fairly easy to push the wire out of side with my credit card tool and screw driver
16. I put some velcro on the SmartCord module and installed it on the top left of the cubby hole. This way I can easily reach the mute button
17. I bundled all the 'left over' wires together and tucked them neatly away
18. I put the side panel back in and voila... done!!
19. This is the finished result
Hope this is helpful!!
Decided to hardwire my Escort Passport this morning. Gathered info from various posts and Renntech articles. Following find instructions... hopefully this will be helpful for those of you who want to do the same. I'm pretty sure the steps for hardwiring a Valentine are pretty much the same.
This took me about 2 hours, mainly because I wanted to make sure I did everything correct. Would take me probable about 30 mins or less if I had to do it again.
1. This is the SmartCord Hardwire Kit from Escort ($28.99)
2. Locate carpeted side panel on either the driver's or passenger's side. I did everything from driver's side, but steps should be pretty much the same if you work from the other side.
3. Remove side panel by gently puling it
4. Locate phone connector (Blue connector will not be on the phone plug)
5. The blue connector is a special 3M connector that allows you to tap into an existing wire without having to use other connectors or having to solder. You position it around the 'switched circuit' wire and squeeze it together with pliers. After you're done with this, the connector on the smartcord can be plugged into this. The switched wire to use, is the Green/Black colored one.
6. Next, I removed the cd holder and cubby hole by pushing them out from the back. I want to install the 'remote control' for the SmartCord in the cubby hole
7. Using a 5/8 drill bit, I made a hole in the top of the cubby hole
8. I fed all the wires through the hole I drilled
9. Next I grounded the SmartCord. Attached it to one of he screws that is in the area where you find the phone connector
10. I plugged the insulated connector on the SmartCord harness into the blue 3M connector and tested if the radar detector turned on/off while starting the car
11. Remove the side vent by pulling forward the control button -25- of the light switch -31- as far as it will go -direction of the arrow- towards the front. Press in the locking device at the lower side using a small screwdriver and remove the control button towards the front (the numbers here revert to the diagram I posted at the bottom of all the pics)
12. Undo the THREE fastening screws. Two screws are on the side and one screw is hidden in/behind the light switch
13. Pull the side vent towards the front
14. Guide the wire that will go to the radar detector behind the dashboard and around the vent and work it upwards in the A pillar
15. I used a flat head screw driver covered with tape and 'credit card' to push the wire behind the A pillar and under where the front window and roof lines connect. Absolutely no need to remove A pillar or other pieces... it was fairly easy to push the wire out of side with my credit card tool and screw driver
16. I put some velcro on the SmartCord module and installed it on the top left of the cubby hole. This way I can easily reach the mute button
17. I bundled all the 'left over' wires together and tucked them neatly away
18. I put the side panel back in and voila... done!!
19. This is the finished result
Hope this is helpful!!
03-04-2007, 04:18 PM
#3
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That's great, thanks for sharing these step-by-step instructions, they are very helpful with the pics. BTW, quick question on the side carpet removal, do you just pull it out of there or is there any screws holding it down somewhere? Thanks again for sharing.
Cheers,
Cheers,
03-04-2007, 04:43 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by Botsy67
That's great, thanks for sharing these step-by-step instructions, they are very helpful with the pics. BTW, quick question on the side carpet removal, do you just pull it out of there or is there any screws holding it down somewhere? Thanks again for sharing.
Cheers,
Cheers,
No screws, just pull gently and it should easily pop off
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03-04-2007, 08:19 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by DFC
You made it so simple, I went out in the garage and hardwired mine in no time! Thank You for the great post. 
05-15-2007, 07:25 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Dutchie in NC
Pics continued...
When you get around to doing aluminum pedals *hint hint* , there's a write up already done
-td
05-15-2007, 08:18 PM
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I have a V1 and I hardwired the power cable directly to the rearview mirror/light console. There's a ground and a switched power there.
But I see that you also have the external remote which you would need to run that wire back down the A pillar and to the center console.
Good write-up!
PS I too have a Cab
But I see that you also have the external remote which you would need to run that wire back down the A pillar and to the center console.
Good write-up!
PS I too have a Cab
05-16-2007, 04:38 PM
#14
Banned
Originally Posted by joesmoe
I have a V1 and I hardwired the power cable directly to the rearview mirror/light console. There's a ground and a switched power there.
But I see that you also have the external remote which you would need to run that wire back down the A pillar and to the center console.
Good write-up!
PS I too have a Cab
But I see that you also have the external remote which you would need to run that wire back down the A pillar and to the center console.
Good write-up!
PS I too have a Cab
05-16-2007, 05:35 PM
#15
Poseur
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Here's what I did for my Valentine 1 (997 cabrio). Should be very similar for a 996.
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ight=Valentine
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ight=Valentine