HELP NEEDED! E90 Service Manual: Valve Cover Gasket

DIY- Radar detector Hardwire

Published by calvino
09-15-2006

DIY- Radar detector Hardwire

ok here is the DIY that I said that I was going to do

you need:

your radar detector hardwire kit ( I have a Beltronics pro 65 and the cable is $21.99)

torx screw driver

3M quick connects ( the same ones that I use in the rear outlet DIY) you can find then in any hardware store for $3 for a pack of like 20

time to compleate the mod: 15 mins

1) mount your radar on the windshield try to mount it as low as posible and

posision the cable near the windshield ( see picture)

2) fold a brochure or a paper, and push the cable inside the windshield ( see picture

3) went you get to the passenger door pillar push the cable in with a screwdriver or with your hand ( see picture )

4) went you get to the door push your cable under the side of the door ( see picture do that up to you get under the glove comparment ( se picture )

5) remove the 2 torx screws ( see picture)

6) push cable in and put screws back ( see picture)

7) remove the center console trim , start from the top and pull up the trim be carefull ( see picture or check ut the DIY on how to install the sunglass holder they show you how to remove the trim )

8) after removing the trim under the ashtray find the 2 big cables that connect to the ashtray outlet, brown is negative black red is positive ( see picture)

9) use the quick connects to attach the radar hardwire cable to the outlet ( see picture )

10) test to see if your radar turn on ( it should work)

11) put the trim back, if you have a smart hadrwire cable put the control on the side of the trim ( see picture)

12) enjoy

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By calvino on 09-15-2006, 03:48 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

more pics

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By scottz5 on 09-15-2006, 03:52 PM

Are you joking? Look up hardwire V1.

By petesamprs on 09-15-2006, 03:53 PM

Nice work and good pics/description. Isn't it better to have your detector higher up on the windshield for better detection?

By calvino on 09-15-2006, 03:54 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

V1 hardwire is for high mount, most radar detectors should be mount as low as posible for better results

that's why I did another DIY

By scottz5 on 09-15-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvino

V1 hardwire is for high mount, most radar detectors should be mount as low as posible for better results

that's why I did another DIY

YOUR WRONG, but nice write up.

By calvino on 09-15-2006, 03:56 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

Quote:

Originally Posted by petesamprs

Nice work and good pics/description. Isn't it better to have your detector higher up on the windshield for better detection?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottz5

YOUR WRONG, but nice write up.

NOPE YOU ARE !! here http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp

This is the first thing people usually screw up and it’s not really their fault. First off, the cop who is pointing the radar at you isn’t aiming it at your windshield, he’s focused in on your license plate or headlights. If you mount your radar detector up as high or in the middle of the windshield then you are not going to pick up some of the signal that the radar gun is throwing at you.

Secondly, why advertise the fact you have a radar detector? Sure they are legal in almost every state (sorry D.C. and Virginia) but most law enforcement personnel do not look too kindly on people with radar devices that essentially help them break the law. Also, your radar detector might entice thieves.

Another thing to consider is that the radar detector could be obstructing your view if it's in your line of sight, which is just dumb and potentially dangerous. So set it low as you can, either on the dashboard or the windshield, but be careful your wipers don’t obstruct it. This positioning will help tremendously, especially if you are being targeted by laser which has a smaller beam and is tougher to pick up.

By scottz5 on 09-15-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvino

NOPE YOU ARE !! here http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp

This is the first thing people usually screw up and it’s not really their fault. This is a bad idea for a couple of reasons. First off, the cop who is pointing the radar at you isn’t aiming it at your windshield, he’s focused in on your license plate or headlights. If you mount your radar detector up as high or in the middle of the windshield then you are not going to pick up some of the signal that the radar gun is throwing at you.

Secondly, why advertise the fact you have a radar detector? Sure they are legal in almost every state (sorry D.C. and Virginia) but most law enforcement personnel do not look too kindly on people with radar devices that essentially help them break the law. Also, your radar detector might entice thieves.

Another thing to consider is that the radar detector could be obstructing your view if it's in your line of sight, which is just dumb and potentially dangerous. So set it low as you can, either on the dashboard or the windshield, but be careful your wipers don’t obstruct it. This positioning will help tremendously, especially if you are being targeted by laser which has a smaller beam and is tougher to pick up.

Ok and all roads are perfectly flat. The higher it is the sooner it will pick it up in most cases. Plus radar is not like laser. Radar is a very wide beam and thats why it picks it up from any direction and from very far away. If the cop is aiming radar at your plate/lights and then turns it on its way too late buddy. But if your behind that car you will pick up the radar and will have time to slow. That is why police love LASER. It is nice and direct and does not spread so other cars dont pick it up that well.

I am not here to fight, nice write up, however I would never put it down low.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=hardwire

By Sedan_Clan on 09-15-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvino

This is the first thing people usually screw up and it’s not really their fault. First off, the cop who is pointing the radar at you isn’t aiming it at your windshield, he’s focused in on your license plate or headlights. If you mount your radar detector up as high or in the middle of the windshield then you are not going to pick up some of the signal that the radar gun is throwing at you.

You sound a bit confused. Radar spans in a particular pattern. It doesn't really matter how high or low your radar detector is. CHP cars, for instance, have radar in both the front/read windshields. They aren't pointed at any specific part of your vehicle. Furthermore, when officers use laser to pinpoint a vehicle's position, it doesn't really matter whether they point it at the windshield or the license plate. The result will be the same.

By scottz5 on 09-15-2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

TRUE, but if its a higher it may help you pick it up further down the road when they are running radar when the road has rolling hills.

#10

By Pretender on 09-15-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottz5

That is why police love LASER. It is nice and direct and does not spread so other cars dont pick it up that well.

I don't think anyone in any car can detect any LASER...so forget about it.

#11

By calvino on 09-15-2006, 04:18 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

whatever I just did the DIY to help those who don't know how to do it, no to fight were to mount it, most manufactures say mount it low for better laser detection, and radabusters did the test, but is your car do whatever you want you can put it under the seat if you like

#12

By scottz5 on 09-15-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretender

I don't think anyone in any car can detect any LASER...so forget about it.

You can but its really hard, here in NJ I have had it go off when the car infront of mine was hit and a 2secs later when they hit my car. I did not have time to slow down so IMO it is a waste to have laser detection.

I was just saying how laser and radar are different and that is why cops like laser.

Whatever the last time I got jacked in the car was on the GSP and I was going 115mph. He never used either paced me. lol no ticket either.

#13

By scottz5 on 09-15-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvino

I TOLD YOU IT WAS A GREAT WRITE UP

#14

By sobriquet on 09-15-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Look up hardwire V1.

+1. How you mount the detector is your business, but I'd suggest trading that detector in for a V1. Once you use one, you'll wonder why people buy anything else.

#15

By calvino on 09-15-2006, 04:26 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

I know thanks I just saying I like it better, went is mount low, if your mount yours high is fine, as long as it make you happy who cares right?

#16

By scottz5 on 09-15-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvino

I know thanks I just saying I like it better, went is mount low, if your mount yours high is fine, as long as it make you happy who cares right?

let me lighten this up, I like it anyway I can get it!

#17

By calvino on 09-15-2006, 04:32 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

Quote:

Originally Posted by sobriquet

+1. How you mount the detector is your business, but I'd suggest trading that detector in for a V1. Once you use one, you'll wonder why people buy anything else.

are you crazy my detector is the best one ever

Speed Measurement Lab Tests
The BEL RX65 was given high marks at the 2005 SML 2006 Radar Detector shoot out, and was the winner of the Long Range Tests.

Guys of Lidar Tests
At the January 2006 Radar Detector Testing of the Guys of Lidar, the RX65 was the leader in the Ka band 33.8 GHz test.

#18

By cto702 on 09-18-2006, 11:06 PM

I just finished the hardwire. For some reason i found this easier then going through the moon roof controls. I just couldn't pop that piece of trim out.

#19

By calvino on 09-18-2006, 11:40 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

if u cold not remove the trim how did u finish the the hardwire??

#20

By Ryan@Motorwerks on 09-18-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvino

Got arrows?

Also some of your other arguements for mounting low are pretty lame. If anything, mounting low lets the cop see it more easily, especially when they are talking to you from outside the car. Also the closer to the headliner, the harder it is to notice, so it is less likely to be stolen. Mounting low is like putting it in a store window for sale. Mounting low for laser is also a pretty dumb idea, if the officer targeted your car, its already too late! The only way for a laser warning to go off(and still make a difference) is for the detector to catch fragments from other vehicles, so its a total crapshoot.

#21

By calvino on 09-19-2006, 12:50 AM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		3
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		2
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 67%

who cares if you have arrows, Got voice or KU band? if my radar beeps, well TALKS that means that there is a cop, that is all that I need to know, I did not did this DIY to fight about with one is the best radar or were it should be mount, I don't care were you mount your detector, you can put it under the sit if you want I don't care, I like my radar were it is and there is no way that I'm going to change it, END of discussion.

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