Im hardwiring in my radar detector and i need to find a positive wire that turns on when you turn the key on and turns off when you turn it off, wondering if anyone knows what wire to splice into.

 

The power wire that runs to the boost gauge works. I used that for my interceptor gauge.

 

I'm wondering the same thing as the OP. Can it be hardwired to the rearview mirror's cables? I wanna put it right on top.

 

bump

 

mind doing a how to on this? I'm lookin to get the v1 shortly and I don't want cables and **** everywhere...i wanna hard wire it so once you figure it out, please do a how to man

 

yeah i can but i still need to find out what wire to splice into

 

Seriously just use the one behind the a-pillar. Run it up the window and across the headliner to the rearview mirror. Done, hidden, simple.

 

but i have the rpd gauge, i will check it out tho

 

i have the schematics for the 05-07 cobalts. I'll check to see which wire you can tap into on the rear view mirror to draw some power. I'll have an answer for you first thing tomorrow morning.

 

thanks would be much appreciated

 

run a wire from the wiper fuse in the fuse box.

 

need a how to thread for this

 

i just looked it up and it appears that in the 05-07 there is a dark blue wire with a white strip that provides power to the rear view mirrors map lights. You should be able to take power from there. You can also get ground from the black wire up there.

 

You guys are making this harder than it is. Run a wire from your RD, stuff it in the roof line, and down the driver side pillar and into the dash. Pull the lower dash panel, then reach up and grab the wire you threaded down into the dash. Pull it across the driver side dash and zip tie it in, then run it into the center console where you have an open space in that kick panel down there, pull the cupholder to grab it and run it to the passenger side where you can then plug it into the fuse panel using a fuse tap.

Use the sunroof fuse or some other fuse that gets power from the RAP system. You don't have to hack wires from your stock harness (Expensive if you screw it up), and it doesn't take that long.

 

how do you run a wire from the radar detector? Do you splice into the thing that plugs into the cigarette lighter? This is why I need a how to with pics...I'ma visual learner...

 

thats what i did just bought an add a circuit

 

If you have a Valentine1, you would run a phone cord from the radar detector to the hardwire kit, then down into the dash.

If you have some other one that uses a different plug, you can cut the plug in end off of a cigarette lighter adapter and put that as the fuse tap end (Or you could just cut up the stock cord for the detector, either or. Most detectors should have an optional hard wire kit available.

 

^good info man. I don't even have a radar detector, yet. I just wasn't too keen on hackin up a power supply for the v1 when the thing is like 300 bucks

 

Valentine provides a hardwire kit. Whenever you buy a V1, you should get 2 mounting brackets (One for window, other for visor), a Cigarette lighter adapter with a spiral phone cord, A hardwire kit with a flat phone cord, and the manual.

 

Nice. I appreciate the help man

 

Easiest way i have found:

Buy a hardwire kit off ebay, thay cost between $5-30 depending on which one you buy.

Whichever you buy, make sure it has a t-tap style connector with it, thats the easiest way.


Take off your A-pillar (remove the one screw that is at the top, then wiggle it out of its spot).

Attach the t-tap to the pink wire. Unscrew one of the nuts off the boost gauge, and place the other wire on the screw, making sure to 'pull' on the cord while you screw it back together to make sure the metal part on the black ground wire is touching the screw itself and not just pressed down with the nut as that will not work.

Put it all back together, presto change-o

 

mirror kit is easy and you don't have to run a bunch of wires

ESCORT Radar 9500i 8500 X50 HIDDEN MIRROR Direct Cord | eBay

 

I first tried wiring mine to the mirror (I have no map light) and it was a no go, did not work. I bought the wire kit for the Escort and ran it over and down the passenger side pillar and used an add a fuse on the Sunroof fuse, works like a charm.

 

I have a cigarette lighter under my dash wired to the front power outlet with a switch in the trunk pop compartment

 

I didn't read any of the previous posts, but i hardwired mine into the sunroof fuse over on the passengers side then wired the ground to the bolt right down below the fuses. works great and comes on with the key.