E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > DIY Guides > Hardwire Escort 9500ix via Invisicord



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-24-2012, 07:29 PM   #1
JBM
Private
JBM's Avatar
26
Rep
68
Posts

Drives: 2013 335xi . . .
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Indianapolis, IN

iTrader: (0)

Hardwire Escort 9500ix via Invisicord

Alright, this is my very first DIY, so excuse me. All the usual warnings and prefaces apply . . . do so at your own risk and I accept no responsibility.

On to the fun . . . I wanted an easy hardwire install of my radar detector. I debated about the fuse tap, which seemed to be the best. But I found a few threads on other car forums (Nissan, Honda, Acura) about tapping into the rearview mirror for the hardwire. So I thought I'd give it a try. By the way, excuse the iPhone pics (it doesn't have the best macro lens)

What you'll need:
1. Invisicord - www.invisicord.com (get the standard fused one, not the micro pin model)
2. Radar Detector
3. Pair of hands

Steps:
1. Sit in the passenger seat. Open the plastic housing hiding the rain sensor on the windshield. It's just held together at three points with some clips. There are vents at the most inferior aspect of the housing. I just slid my hand between the housing the windshield and pulled the halves apart. The pic below is with the passenger half removed.


2. There's a molex plug coming down from the headliner into the rearview mirror. Here's a view from the passenger seat.


3. Looking down on the molex plug, you'll see a bunch of wires. If you're sitting in the passenger seat, look at the bottom row of wires. The 2nd from the right is the ground wire (it's a black wire with a red stripe). The 3rd from the right is the switched 12V wire (it's a dark green wire with a white stripe). If you're using an invisicord, insert the black pin alongside and into the same hole as the ground wire. And then insert the yellow pin alongside and into the same hole as the switched 12V wire. They will fit alongside the wires, but need a little push. They should not easily slide out. And you will have to insert them till the entire pin is in the hole. Sorry for the color wash out in this pic. The iPhone flash really distorts the colors of the wires, but the order is correct and trust me on the colors of the switched 12V (green with white stripe) and the ground wire (black with red stripe).




4. Plug the invisicord into your radar detector. Turn the power onto your car and verify that the radar detector is receiving power.

5. Reattach the two halves of the plastic housing that you removed in the beginning. I found it was best to lay the invisicord so that it is coming out of the top of the housing alongside the rubber grommet that's coming out of the headliner. Then I aligned the passenger half the housing up and attached the driver's half to it. One tip, is keep the car on and the power going to the radar detector as your put the housing back on. As your fiddle with the housing, you may inadvertently loosen the yellow power pin. You won't know this till you try to turn your car on and the radar detector doesn't turn on. Then you're back at step 1. Once the housing is closed again, the invisicord shouldn't move out of the molex plug.


That's it. Easy as pie.

Tips for an easier installation:
1. Purchase the 12" fused invisicord with standard pins (NOT micropins; the micropins are too small and will not stay in the molex plug; they are also not long enough to reach the end of the plug)
2. Sit in the passenger seat when doing this install
3. Tilt the rearview mirror down when plugging in the pins
4. Straighten out the mirror before you reattach the plastic housing
5. Align the passenger half of the rain sensor housing on first
6. Keep the power going to the RD as you reattach the rain sensor housing
7. This installation will power the RD when you start the car and power it down when you turn the car off, so no need to turn it off.

Although I used an Escort 9500ix, I'm sure this would work with any radar detector. The invisicord website offers customization as well for older detectors.

Last edited by JBM; 09-03-2012 at 02:54 PM..
Appreciate 2
      05-09-2012, 02:30 PM   #2
NeoItaly1
Private First Class
6
Rep
142
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335i-Titanium Silver
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pensacola, Florida

iTrader: (0)

Your pictures are not showing up. Is there anyway to repost the pictures? I am about to install my Valentine in 2011 328i....Thanks
Appreciate 0
      09-03-2012, 02:55 PM   #3
JBM
Private
JBM's Avatar
26
Rep
68
Posts

Drives: 2013 335xi . . .
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Indianapolis, IN

iTrader: (0)

Sorry of all sorry for the long delay in fixing the pics. I have been out of the country forever and hadn't been back on this site for a while. I hope this helps everyone or anyone.
Appreciate 0
      09-04-2012, 07:50 PM   #4
jiaan13
uʍop ǝpısdn
0
Rep
63
Posts

Drives: '11 335d, SG/Saddle, ZSP, ZPP
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South bay area, NorCal

iTrader: (0)

What did you use to mount it? Hard to tell from the pics if you used the standard suction cup mount, or went with a blendmount-style setup.
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2012, 01:10 AM   #5
JMARS
Not Baned
United_States
85
Rep
1,352
Posts

Drives: e92 Single-T
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boca Raton, FL

iTrader: (5)

pics of window mount?
__________________
FFTEC 900 - 6466 | PR PI Stg4 | Motiv Tune/BB/FF | Spec Stg 2+ | Quaife LSD | DSS Half-shafts
VRSF Race IC | VRSF Charge Pipe | Evo Dual Oil Cooler | BC Coilover | To be continued...
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2012, 03:47 AM   #6
kiwi29
Team iTouge
kiwi29's Avatar
United_States
121
Rep
2,101
Posts

Drives: 09 M-Tech 328i
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA

iTrader: (9)

Is there a way to relocate the detector?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
I'm going to use a very simple analogy, I hope you'll understand.
Driving is like having sex.
It really is. You can read up all you want about how to please a woman, you can look at all the diagrams in the world, but just like the clitoris, you won't know what the hell an apex is before you actually find it.
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2012, 04:33 AM   #7
marshall834
Captain
marshall834's Avatar
United_States
87
Rep
602
Posts

Drives: 2021 BMW M2 Comp
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minneapolis

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JMARS View Post
pics of window mount?
+1. Looks like a sweet set up. Just curious on your mount.
__________________
Past:
2015 A3
E90 335i
E46 323ci
B6 Audi S4
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2012, 05:45 AM   #8
SilverII
Colonel
United_States
40
Rep
2,334
Posts

Drives: '11 335IS
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: DFW

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335IS  [9.66]
nice... who can draw a diagram for this?
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2012, 06:26 PM   #9
JBM
Private
JBM's Avatar
26
Rep
68
Posts

Drives: 2013 335xi . . .
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Indianapolis, IN

iTrader: (0)

I'm using a suction cup mount. But not the one from Escort. It's from the Package group; I got it from Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/MegaMount-Rada...generic&sr=1-7

It's nice, but I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of suction cup mounts. I've had both the escort mount and this one fall. I'd like a blendmount, as they just released a BMW version of their mount. But it's $129+, which is a bit pricey for a mount. And it's not transferrable to the new F30 if you decided to get a new car.
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2012, 01:13 AM   #10
kiwi29
Team iTouge
kiwi29's Avatar
United_States
121
Rep
2,101
Posts

Drives: 09 M-Tech 328i
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA

iTrader: (9)

Is it possible to use a smartcord live system with the invisicord? Or will it cause the set up to be sloppy? And could you also move the radar more towards the driver side or would it affect the quality of picking up signals?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
I'm going to use a very simple analogy, I hope you'll understand.
Driving is like having sex.
It really is. You can read up all you want about how to please a woman, you can look at all the diagrams in the world, but just like the clitoris, you won't know what the hell an apex is before you actually find it.
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2013, 07:50 PM   #11
breaker37
New Member
0
Rep
7
Posts

Drives: 2011 LCI Space Gray 328i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Just used this to mount my Escort Redline. Thanks for this. I had one quick question, did you end up routing the invisicord through the top of the casing or through the bottom? I had some trouble snapping the two casing piece back together without closing it on the invisicord.
Appreciate 0
      04-28-2013, 09:32 PM   #12
notnow
Bit by Modbug
255
Rep
1,109
Posts

Drives: F86
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CANADA

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for the guide, works perfectly except I pulled off the entire thing instead of splitting it in half and got confused, didn't know how to put it back. Found out that you have to snap it back in at an angle.
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2013, 12:32 AM   #13
pukkaE93
Registered
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: E93
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

thanks for the diy - ill tackle this over the weekend
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2013, 08:31 AM   #14
SackOHammers
Private First Class
31
Rep
136
Posts

Drives: 2010 335i Coupe E92 N54
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Thank you for the clear and concise DIY. I'm keenly interested in mounting options for this type of setup. I'd prefer to mount above the rearview so as not to occlude too much of the windshield. I could go with a BlendMount, but I just don't like having the RD that low. I'm also looking for something robust so it doesn't come loose when I mount and dismount the RD every day when parking.
Appreciate 0
      05-27-2013, 10:25 PM   #15
Lucid Moment
First Lieutenant
Lucid Moment's Avatar
24
Rep
394
Posts

Drives: 911 turbo, E85 3.0
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Texas

iTrader: (17)

Great DIY! I don't have the smokers package including the 12v plug in front of the shifter. I have to do something like this. I got the invisicord, however the only thing to note is to go with a slightly longer cord. I went with a 12", and it wasn't quite long enough, leaving the radar the same hight as the rear view mirror, and slightly blocking it. Otherwise easy DIY. Thanks again.
Appreciate 0
      01-12-2014, 06:09 PM   #16
salem747
Registered
1
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

My Experience with this

Great DIY. I started out using the invisicord pins but the stiff part was too long and needed to be inside the rubber grommet, making the plastic cover not fit over the grommet assy.

In the end I cut the wires and soldered them into the wires specified and covered with heat shrink.
Appreciate 0
      01-13-2014, 03:22 AM   #17
1QuikWS6
No 55mph
1QuikWS6's Avatar
1616
Rep
8,474
Posts

Drives: F32 435ix MSport
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Blitzburgh, PA

iTrader: (113)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwi29 View Post
Is it possible to use a smartcord live system with the invisicord? Or will it cause the set up to be sloppy? And could you also move the radar more towards the driver side or would it affect the quality of picking up signals?
Yes, they have a new version of the Invisicord that works with EscortLive

http://www.invisicord.com/
__________________
F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
Appreciate 0
      01-13-2014, 06:36 PM   #18
Gate7
Oh rly?
46
Rep
339
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: TX

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for this.
I'm about to order this kit, do I need the 1.5A fuse option?
Appreciate 0
      01-13-2014, 06:38 PM   #19
1QuikWS6
No 55mph
1QuikWS6's Avatar
1616
Rep
8,474
Posts

Drives: F32 435ix MSport
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Blitzburgh, PA

iTrader: (113)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gate7 View Post
Thanks for this.
I'm about to order this kit, do I need the 1.5A fuse option?
Guess it couldn't hurt - I added a fuse when I did my install that uses a piggyback fuse connector directly in the fusebox...

Fuses protect the line they are connected in - so wire does not melt
__________________
F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2014, 09:26 AM   #20
donger
Registered
2
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335i x-drive coupe
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know if these invisicords can be used for dashcams? I'm looking for a way to piggyback my rearview mirror power for my dasham.
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2014, 06:29 AM   #21
KevinThePanda
Private
4
Rep
74
Posts

Drives: E92 M3, E90 328i, Mk6 VW GTI
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Do you think this would work with a Valentine 1?
Appreciate 0
      04-08-2014, 08:36 AM   #22
Dochere2
New Member
5
Rep
18
Posts

Drives: 2019 m40i, 2022 x7, 2024 x5
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hilton Head Island

iTrader: (0)

Perfect DIY. This should be the de facto radar detector install sticky... Took 5 minutes and everything is working perfectly. Installed a new Escort SmartRadar and I also plugged in my V1 for kicks.

Thanks!

Last edited by Dochere2; 04-08-2014 at 08:41 AM..
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:19 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST