Best/easiest option for hard-wiring Passport 9500ix radar in E92?

AAAAAAAAAA · 12-22-2014, 03:43 PM

I have an E92 2013 335is coupe and recently picked up an Escort Passport 9500ix radar detector. I also got the Smartcord hardwire kit.

Basically I'm trying to figure out the best method to hard wire in my car (E92 2013 335is coupe). I have read that there are a few different options, and the primary difference is either using the sunroof power tap, or wiring to the fuse box. Is one method generally easier than the other? Also I seem to mostly be finding links to Valentine V1 installs -- how similar is the process for the Passport? I assume it is pretty much the same?

DIY for E90 M3, Valentine V1, sunroof version

And here is another DIY, although I think I'd prefer to mount mine high up on the windshield near the mirror, to keep it more out of sight.

Can anyone offer any advice or point me in the right direction of what method I should use? Or, as someone who is not that experienced with wiring/electronics, is this something I should avoid attempting myself, and just have a car audio shop do for me?

Thanks in advance!

Fundguy1 · 12-22-2014, 03:56 PM

Sunroof. Zero reason to go to the fuse box. I wired car stereos, alarms, and other stuff for one if the top shops in northern NJ for 3 yrs and never once did we ever use a fuse box for power.

Fundguy1 · 12-22-2014, 04:01 PM

Get a test light or meter. Put one side in bare metal. Text for ignition on the wires. Turns on with key, off if car off. Splice onto that wire. Find the ground, same wire harness using the positive you just identified, splice onto that. My passport has a converter built into the plug. I taped the plus wire to the tip of the plug. You could solder if you want but mines fine 7 yrs later. Taped ground to side of plug. Done.

12-22-2014, 03:43 PM	#1
AAAAAAAAAA New Member 1 Rep 22 Posts Drives: '03 M3, '13 335is Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	Best/easiest option for hard-wiring Passport 9500ix radar in E92? I have an E92 2013 335is coupe and recently picked up an Escort Passport 9500ix radar detector. I also got the Smartcord hardwire kit. Basically I'm trying to figure out the best method to hard wire in my car (E92 2013 335is coupe). I have read that there are a few different options, and the primary difference is either using the sunroof power tap, or wiring to the fuse box. Is one method generally easier than the other? Also I seem to mostly be finding links to Valentine V1 installs -- how similar is the process for the Passport? I assume it is pretty much the same? DIY for E90 M3, Valentine V1, sunroof version And here is another DIY, although I think I'd prefer to mount mine high up on the windshield near the mirror, to keep it more out of sight. Can anyone offer any advice or point me in the right direction of what method I should use? Or, as someone who is not that experienced with wiring/electronics, is this something I should avoid attempting myself, and just have a car audio shop do for me? Thanks in advance!
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12-22-2014, 03:56 PM	#2
Fundguy1 Major General 2032 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Sunroof. Zero reason to go to the fuse box. I wired car stereos, alarms, and other stuff for one if the top shops in northern NJ for 3 yrs and never once did we ever use a fuse box for power.
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12-22-2014, 04:01 PM	#3
Fundguy1 Major General 2032 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Get a test light or meter. Put one side in bare metal. Text for ignition on the wires. Turns on with key, off if car off. Splice onto that wire. Find the ground, same wire harness using the positive you just identified, splice onto that. My passport has a converter built into the plug. I taped the plus wire to the tip of the plug. You could solder if you want but mines fine 7 yrs later. Taped ground to side of plug. Done.
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