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DIY Hardwire Radar Detector with Stealth Mute and Built in LED warning Light

17K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  asusc 
#1 ·
I know, I know another Radar Detector Install. While thinking about installing the ESP off (Thanks Fendermender) and Garage Door Opener (Thanks asusc) buttons, I had a great idea, imo, to hardwire my radar detector and wire one of the free buttons for the mute and speed trap button on my radar detector.

Radar Detector:
Passport Escort 9500ix

Direct Wire Kit: Comes with about everything you need. And for $10 less than Escort's Direct Wire SmartCord with all the same functionality and custom look.
http://www.safe-n-sound1.com/Escort Direct Cord Round Mute.html
I purchased with Round Mute and Red LED (Optional)

Extra Button/Switch:
http://carstyle4you.com/

Additional Items:
Solder
Heat Shrink Tube
Cloth Tape
Wire Taps


They have kits for a number of different radar detectors.

While I had the glove box out and was installing the ESP button....

1. Tap red power from direct wire kit to black/red power from 12v source
2. Tap black ground from direct wire kit to brown ground from 12v source
3. Cut and discard mute button on direct wire kit and solder connections to button (in my case EJECT button/switch)
a. be sure to test mute button prior to cutting and soldering permanently to the button/switch

4. Route Radar Cable to desired location and tuck wires

5. Optional: Drill 3/16 hole for LED and install....I chose in the middle tray.


6. Wrap wires in cloth tape(help keep everything from rattling when back together), stuff everything in dash, put everything back together and your finished.
 
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#3 ·
Came off the cigarette lighter 12v power source for directly powering the radar detector. And pulled power from ESP button or Garage Door Opener to power the button backlighting.

I did not attempt to go directly behind the dash in the middle....but the cord is long enough to go around and place the radar detector in any location on the window...(top center coming up the pillar and tucked behind the headliner or bottom center coming around the dash and the windshield or anywhere). I zipped tie the excess cord behind the glove box and called it a day.
 
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