Old Library

> Subject: radar detector hardwiring 
&gt; From: "C. Luna" &lt;&#108;una.6&#64;osu<img src=/i/de.gif border=0 width=35 height=15>&gt; 
> Date: Wed, 07 Jan 1998 14:57:02 -0500 
> 
> Does anyone know how to hardwire a radar detector into the fuse box?  I
> know of someone who hardwired their radar detector into the fuse box of his
> buick.  He mounted the radar detector above his rearview mirror.  It's cool
> because there's no wires that get into the way and it comes on everytime he
> starts his car.  

There's an easier way:  Drop the domelight assembly.  The brown wire on
one end of the connector is ground, the wire at the other end is hot
with the ignition on.   Now you don't need to find a clean way of
running wires from the fuse box up to your visor.   I cut a tiny slit in
my headliner above the passenger visor to bring the wire out and my
detector resides inside of a strap-on visor organizer; that way it's
completely invisible and isn't a temptation for thieves or an affront to
Officer Bob Speed. 

- -Uwe-

1997 GTI-VR6; 7500 trouble-free miles.

C. Luna wrote:
> 
> Does anyone know how to hardwire a radar detector into the fuse box?
> 
> Chris


Hi Chris,

My install is unique I guess, ask anyone whos' seen my car and 
looked closely at it.

My '96, the rear view mirror attaches lower on the windsheild than it
does on the '95s, and that gives me a perfect location directly above
the mirror to mount my detector.

I made a small braket for it that incorperates a very short length of 
the actuall wireing and two brass screws for use as electrical contacts.

I opened the sunroof motor panel and taped the voltage for the dome light
right there.  I figured the dome ligh doesn't draw that much current and
is protected by it's own fuse and only operates when the door is open so
it's basically an unused power source while the car is driven.

I took a two part, (male & female) four conductor computer power supply
connector and soldered two contacts to the apropriate contacts on the 
dome light circuit board and the other contacts I made external contact strips
on the under side (or visable side) of the sunroof motor cover.  I removed 
the unused conductors.

I used the computer connector so I can seperate the cover from the ceiling
and not have to fart with a buch of wires hanging down attached to the
cover.

So now, alls I do is velcro up my detector and the brass screws make 
the electrical contact with the contacts on the underside of the cover
and the detector works.  Now just park the car, pop off the detector, braket,
wire and screws all as one unit and plop it in the armrest for safe keeping.
No wires, no mess, no fuss. :-)  Simply re'attach it with the velcro and 
your back in bussiness.  With the custom braket, it hangs parallel to
the ground and detects front, side and rear radar signals no problem. :-)

The only giveawy is two small contacts and a piece of velcro on the 
sunroof motor cover of my car.

I also, (while I was at it) installed a garage door opener button in the 
sunroof motor cover and tucked the unit up under the headliner.  No more 
hunting for the opener, it's always in the same place and the battery 
never goes dead. :-)

- -- 
Mike

Mike Bigus ==&gt; &#103;tivr6r&#64;chicagonet<img src=/i/dn.gif border=0 width=35 height=15>

> Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 10:36:08 -0600
&gt; From: &#102;w&#64;Emss<img src=/i/dc.gif border=0 width=35 height=15> (Frank Williamson)
> Subject: Radar detector hookup
> 
> Hey there,
> 
> thought I'd ask before I go digging around up there and I'm *SURE*
> somebody out here has done it before:  Is there a good 12V power hookup
> point in the interior light/sunroof switch area on a '97?  I'd prefer a
> switched 12V point, but will take a constant 12V one.  I remember
> hearing that at one time VW put a wire up there for the passenger
> vanity mirror light, but not anymore.  Arthur's webpage mentions a 12V
> constant plug up there for a '96, but was wondering about the
> '97s......

If you pop out the dome light and sunroof switch assembly, your'll find
two connectors.  One is for the sunroof switch, the other for the dome
lights.  On the connector for the dome lights, the rearmost wire is
brown and is ground.  The frontmost wire is black/white and is switched
(with the ignition) +12.   

That's where I have my detector wired at the moment, but I've decided
this is not optimal; there are times I want to be able to turn the
detector OFF, like when there's no radar threat, but it's falsing a lot
(such as every supermarket parking lot in the free world).  Since I keep
my detector zipped up inside of a "visor organizer" (for stealth), the
power switch on the detector is not very accessible.  

So, what I'm going to do (WIGATI) is pop the bulb out of the small
passenger side reading lamp and wire the detecor in place of said bulb. 
Then I'll have a totally invisible detector that I can control with a
manually operated switch.  

-Uwe-

--
For info on: how to subscribe & unsubscribe, the list's mailing errors,
    list archive, etc.  see:   http://www.panix.com/~aqn/gti_vr6_list/

Actually there's a Standard (bred) Horse, traceable to the Bureau of 
Standards.....and, for those interested in precision, a Quarter 
Horse.  They have to be trailered, so as not to get out of 
adjustment...and can only be grain & hay grown to specification in 
the Ruhr Valley............
On a :-) more serious note....radar detectors...I've had good luck 
just tucking the power wire in the pillar trim.   After I changed 
jobs, starting commuting 40 minutes each way...and saw the last C&D 
radar detector test (V was 2x better than anything else), I bought 
the Valentine with the remote, originally in my '86 GTI....when I got 
my VR6 a month ago, I ended up putting the remote in the blank for 
the heated seat control (I didn't have them) where it fit beautifully 
after cutting up the blanks...this way I figure I can always buying 
the blanks on the cheap if I ever want to take it out.
Problem is, it's pretty much behind the steering wheel...anyone else 
have the V. and figure out a better place?  
V is a great detector....the threat count and origin direction 
indicators are a major plus
// Stewart Dean, Kingston NY
--
For info on: how to subscribe & unsubscribe, the list's mailing errors,
    list archive, etc.  see:   http://www.panix.com/~aqn/gti_vr6_list/

I did this with my detector, and I've found that it works quite well. If you
pop out the dome light/sunroof switch assembly, you'll find
two connectors.  One is for the sunroof switch, the other for the dome
lights.  On the connector for the dome lights, the rearmost wire is brown
and is ground.  The frontmost wire is black/white and is switched (with the
ignition) +12. I soldered ny radar detector's power wire to these terminals.
I've had it this way for about six months with no problems.

Dave



>I just got a Valentine 1 for a gift (god bless my fiance!) and was
wondering
>what suggestions folks have with regards to mounting and hardwiring to the
>electrical system.  The V1 is larger than I thought, and kind of obtrusive
>sitting on the dash, I was thinking maybe sandwiched between the rear-view
>mirror and the sunroof control pod, but I'm not sure how to do the wiring.
>All suggestions/locations are welcome and appreciated.  V1 comes w/
>hardwiring kit already containing a spade plug (for what I don't know) and
a
>crimp/splice connector to attach to a hot wire.
>
>Private replies welcome, if you are concerned about WOB.
>
>Ted King
>97 GLX
>--
>For info on: how to subscribe & unsubscribe, the list's tech/how-to
>    library, etc.  see:   http://www.panix.com/~aqn/GTI_VR6/gti_vr6_list/
>

--
For info on: how to subscribe & unsubscribe, the list's tech/how-to
    library, etc.  see:   http://www.panix.com/~aqn/GTI_VR6/gti_vr6_list/

My detector is on the windsheild next to the rear-view mirror. I ran the wiring down the A-pillar and into the fusebox. Hooked it up to the rear defroster fuse. Its on the the car comes on....off when the key is off.

EZ enuff!!

Paul
'98 GTI VR6

I wired mine in to the passenger map light, and mounted it on top of the rear 
view mirror. The cable comes down, is about 3 inches long, and plugs into 
the side of my whistler detector. To turn it on, I just flip on that switch 
and it comes on. Looks like it belongs there. Best part is that when cops 
look in the car, they cannot see the detector, unless they are kneeling down, 
looking up at the roof. Not like I speed though...

hope this helps!
Matt
www.o-bars.com