wiring for Radar detector auto on

Black08

New S197 owner
Joined
Dec 10, 2010
Posts
107
Reaction score
0
Location
Central FL
I am trying to think how I can get my radar detector to turn on/off with the car automatically. I am not much of an electrician but understand the basics. I know I need to find something that turns on/off with the car and can just use the power from that. What could I use and what would be the best way to do it?
thanks!
 

G.T

Senior Member
Joined
May 6, 2007
Posts
1,234
Reaction score
19
Location
Earth
check the fusebox in the passenger side kickpanel and compare to the photo below
using a fuse tap into A or C, you'll get a switched +12V circuit that turns on and off with the rest of your accessories

iHRKp.jpg
 

mac10chap

The bouncy tits guy...
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Posts
4,520
Reaction score
48
Location
houston, tx
i hardwired mine into my map light so there is no wires really exposed and it comes on when I open the doors and goes off 15 minutes after I turn the car off...easy as cake.
 

G.T

Senior Member
Joined
May 6, 2007
Posts
1,234
Reaction score
19
Location
Earth
i had mine done that way at first.. i eventually did it directly on the fusebox so it powers up and off with everything else
 

Meikol02

Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2010
Posts
531
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston, TX
check the fusebox in the passenger side kickpanel and compare to the photo below
using a fuse tap into A or C, you'll get a switched +12V circuit that turns on and off with the rest of your accessories

iHRKp.jpg

My "C" location was constant on, so I used "A" with an add-a-fuse and ran a new pair of wires(grounded at the panel ground) to a new power port I put under the dash on the driver's side. That way I have the ability to swap out the radar detector eisily for a new one later. Just ran the wire up the A pillar, under the headliner and drop for the detector. No splicing and quite easy to do. got the parts at Autozone for less than $20 including a pack of mini fuses.

I actually put a splitter under the dash too that allowed me to also plug in a GPS that I mounted on the Winshield at the bottom of the A pillar and ran that wiring back there too, so nothing shows and all the original power points are retained.
 
Last edited:

INTRUDER

Member
Joined
May 17, 2007
Posts
446
Reaction score
4
I found this write up I did a while back. Hope this helps you.
It is a VERY EASY job.
My 15 y.o. daughter wired her teachers '05 'stang on a bet. she won.
Good luck.....

YES you can tap into the light to power a detector.
YES it will turn itself off in just a few minutes.
This install info is for a NON POWERED mirror.
NOTE: This is for a 2005 GT. The newer models MIGHT have a slightly different wiring plan.
I have had my detector installed like this for almost a year and NO problems.
Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Good luck
You really wont need it, this is a very simple install.


Save your money on the smart cord.
PARTS:
1. A small inline fuse, 5 amps will be plenty.
2. 2 feet of “two wire phone cord with plug”.
3. Two sets of wire taps. Your choice. Or just tap directly to the wires and solder and tape.
(Most phone cords are two wire.) MOST! two wire GRAY phone cords have a RED and a GREEN wire inside. This is what I used and this is how I will describe the installation.

NOTE 1: My ESCORT 85 X50 would only allow me to wire it one way.
After you strip or use taps on the wires, just touch the plugged in phone wires to the stripped wires and the radar WILL beep or it won't.
Just switch wires if it does not. P.S. Turn on the radar before you try this.

NOTE 2: There are three BLACK wires coming from the light assembly,
two blacks are wired from the lights into a BLUE wire that has shrink wrap on it. This BLUE is the HOT or positive lead. The other BLACK wire coming from the harness is a loose BLACK lead for the entire light assembly (Lights and Motion sensor).

1. Pop off the overhead light case. Use a flat screw driver or just your hands...it is held in by just TWO compression clips on either side of the light.

2. Unplug the wiring harness to make your life easier.

3. Find the lose BLACK wire and tap that for the ground.
The RED phone wire goes to this.

4. Find the two BLACK wires that are wired to the BLUE light leads
and tap that for the power. The BLUE wire is longer and easier to tap.
The GREEN phone wire goes to this. Use the fuse here between BLUE wire and the GREEN wire.

5. Run the GRAY phone wire with the plug through the open slot in the headliner. The two feet of phone cord will be enough to mount the radar with suction cups anywhere on the high side of the windshield. Just tuck the extra cord into the headliner.

6. Plug in the factor harness, TEST EVERYTHING NOW! Reinstall the light case and you are done. P.S. You can leave the RADAR on it will shut down when the light turn off and restart when you turn off the alarm or open the doors.
 

mac10chap

The bouncy tits guy...
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Posts
4,520
Reaction score
48
Location
houston, tx
I found this write up I did a while back. Hope this helps you.
It is a VERY EASY job.
My 15 y.o. daughter wired her teachers '05 'stang on a bet. she won.
Good luck.....

YES you can tap into the light to power a detector.
YES it will turn itself off in just a few minutes.
This install info is for a NON POWERED mirror.
NOTE: This is for a 2005 GT. The newer models MIGHT have a slightly different wiring plan.
I have had my detector installed like this for almost a year and NO problems.
Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Good luck
You really wont need it, this is a very simple install.


Save your money on the smart cord.
PARTS:
1. A small inline fuse, 5 amps will be plenty.
2. 2 feet of “two wire phone cord with plug”.
3. Two sets of wire taps. Your choice. Or just tap directly to the wires and solder and tape.
(Most phone cords are two wire.) MOST! two wire GRAY phone cords have a RED and a GREEN wire inside. This is what I used and this is how I will describe the installation.

NOTE 1: My ESCORT 85 X50 would only allow me to wire it one way.
After you strip or use taps on the wires, just touch the plugged in phone wires to the stripped wires and the radar WILL beep or it won't.
Just switch wires if it does not. P.S. Turn on the radar before you try this.

NOTE 2: There are three BLACK wires coming from the light assembly,
two blacks are wired from the lights into a BLUE wire that has shrink wrap on it. This BLUE is the HOT or positive lead. The other BLACK wire coming from the harness is a loose BLACK lead for the entire light assembly (Lights and Motion sensor).

1. Pop off the overhead light case. Use a flat screw driver or just your hands...it is held in by just TWO compression clips on either side of the light.

2. Unplug the wiring harness to make your life easier.

3. Find the lose BLACK wire and tap that for the ground.
The RED phone wire goes to this.

4. Find the two BLACK wires that are wired to the BLUE light leads
and tap that for the power. The BLUE wire is longer and easier to tap.
The GREEN phone wire goes to this. Use the fuse here between BLUE wire and the GREEN wire.

5. Run the GRAY phone wire with the plug through the open slot in the headliner. The two feet of phone cord will be enough to mount the radar with suction cups anywhere on the high side of the windshield. Just tuck the extra cord into the headliner.

6. Plug in the factor harness, TEST EVERYTHING NOW! Reinstall the light case and you are done. P.S. You can leave the RADAR on it will shut down when the light turn off and restart when you turn off the alarm or open the doors.

your post is in the link I posted. I was gonna make him look atleast a little bit to find it...:thumb:
 

INTRUDER

Member
Joined
May 17, 2007
Posts
446
Reaction score
4
You are free to go..... This is not the post you are looking for....
 

dustindu4

Member
S197 Team Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2007
Posts
330
Reaction score
1
The map light is the best option, I've had mine set up like this since April of 2005 and it has worked fine ever since.
 

CHAD

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2009
Posts
32
Reaction score
0
Location
Opelousas, Louisiana
radar mount

I have mine wired to the fuse box and found this bad ass mount for it...
 

Attachments

  • DSC00230_e.JPG
    DSC00230_e.JPG
    65.2 KB · Views: 184

VTXFrank

Obama SUCKS!
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Posts
8,217
Reaction score
69
Location
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
I have my Escort 9500XT wired to the map lights and using that same mount Chad is referring too. Works out very well and no more radar detector falling off the windshield due to the suction mounts letting go.
 

08RoushGT

forum member
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Posts
157
Reaction score
0
Location
Houma, LA
Going to the dome light, does the radar shut off when the ignition is turned off? If so, how did you do it?
 

G.T

Senior Member
Joined
May 6, 2007
Posts
1,234
Reaction score
19
Location
Earth
unlike a switched power source, powering up your detector through the dome lights would keep the detector on after you switch the car off and take out the key, but the SJB will shut it off (along with the dome lights) in ~15 minutes.

it works fine.. but i preferred having it turn on and off with the car, just felt right that way :)
 

amsoil_direct

Banned
Joined
Jun 17, 2011
Posts
15
Reaction score
0
What do you mean sjb?

Smart junction box.
This means adding a tap-a-fuse into the "keyed on" slot that is normally empty. If you give me until tomorrow I may be able to tell you exactly which slot is the one. I have my detector velcro-ed to the dash right up against the drivers a-pillar and the cord running down and behind the drivers kick panel. Super clean:thumb2:
 

Support us!

Support Us - Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Sponsor Links

Banner image
Back
Top