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      03-31-2008, 01:33 PM   #1
AndyM
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Let's Hardwire my Escort 8500

I like to mount the radar detector between the mirror and the top of the windshield. This keeps it out of the way but still close to my field of vision.

What you need:
-Radar Detector Hardwire Kit (with radar detector)
-10mm Socket, extension and wrench (possibly Universal adapter)
-U-Ring Connector or O-Ring Connector
-3M Spring Connector or solder and solder gun

If you like your radar detector high on the windshield, the sunroof switch is the best area to grab switched power.

To begin, you will need a hardwire kit from your Radar Detector manufacturer. The kit should have two leads, one to ground and one to power. The power lead should be fused.

You will want to start by gaining access to the sunroof switch wiring. To do this, you will need to remove the switch and light panel. The panel has 2 clips along the front edge (nearest to the windshield). I was able to slide a butter knife between the headliner and the panel to push the clips back. This took me a long time. The other way to do it is to carefully pull down the headliner and slide a finger or two in to release the clips. The clip locations are shown in the following image.



Additional Information regarding the clips:
This thread on e90post may help in showing the tabs better than I explained.

There are two tabs along the front edge. They are located approximately at the maplights. You need to push the tabs toward the back of the panel to release the front edge. The front edge needs to be released first.


Once the clips are released, lower the front edge of the panel and then slide the back edge slightly forward to release the entire pane. The panel has a control unit with 5 connectors. You may want to undock the connectors from the panel so the panel is not in your way. You will be looking for the switched power wire in the indicated connector. It is pin #3 and is a green and white wire.



You will need to remove some of the electrical tape around the wiring. Once you have located the wire, tap into it and connect the power lead from the RD hardwire kit.

With the power connected, you will need to ground the second wire on the hardwire kit. If you look to either side of the sunroof motor, you will see a 10mm bolt. I used this bolt to ground the wire.



I used a 3M U-Connector as the bolt is a bit tough to get to and could be even more difficult to re-install. The U-Connector allowed me to back the bolt out a few threads and then slide in the connector. You may need to use a Universal Joint along with your socket to access the bolt. Tighten the bolt back down.



With the connections made, route the connector for the radar detector out between the headliner and the windshield. Feel free to take your time on stowing and routing the wiring to make sure you do not end up with any rattles or vibrations. I wrapped the fuse for my Escort 8500 in felt before completing installation.

With the wiring all done, you can test the radar detector. With the car in accessory mode (key in and once press to the start/stop button), the radar detector will have power. Re-installing the sunroof switch panel is the opposite of removal. Install the back edge first and then snap in the front edge until the clips click.


Last edited by AndyM; 06-23-2016 at 02:59 PM..
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      03-31-2008, 02:38 PM   #2
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does the radar work well when its that high, i always leave mine in the middle of the window?
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      03-31-2008, 02:47 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tenxaday View Post
does the radar work well when its that high, i always leave mine in the middle of the window?
I think the only issue would be getting hit from behind. I get very good alerts as I am approaching a signal.
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      03-31-2008, 04:11 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tenxaday View Post
does the radar work well when its that high, i always leave mine in the middle of the window?


It's actually giving it a better forward view, but less from behind. I mount mine down low usually because that's your best shot at picking up LASER, but realistically anywhere in the windsheild will work pretty well.


Nice write up OP. I usually mount mine just off the dash, but this is less visable and a shorter wire run. I may put mine in the exaclty the same spot. :thumbup:
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      03-31-2008, 04:38 PM   #5
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Nice post...but if you really want to be secretive and out of the way...may I suggest mounting it under the steering wheel...(how?...still figuring that part out )
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      03-31-2008, 04:50 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rainman128 View Post
Nice post...but if you really want to be secretive and out of the way...may I suggest mounting it under the steering wheel...(how?...still figuring that part out )
The big names all offer detectors with remote displays.
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      04-03-2008, 04:43 AM   #7
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Kick ass. Nice write-up.
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      04-03-2008, 04:57 PM   #8
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Andy is the DYI king.

Do you know what wire was a constant hot? My solo 2 doesn't come on with the key.

Thanks.
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      04-03-2008, 05:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mateo View Post
Andy is the DYI king.

Do you know what wire was a constant hot? My solo 2 doesn’t come on with the key.

Thanks.
I do not. Sorry, I only work with Hot/Switched. I assume there is one in the roof panel. Spend some time with VOM and you should be able to find one.
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      04-03-2008, 06:09 PM   #10
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Nice write up, Andy, thanks. Got to hardwire my V1 this weekend.
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      04-03-2008, 07:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeo View Post
Nice write up, Andy, thanks.
+1 Great write up.

I added this, and the other new DIYs to the stickied index post.
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      04-03-2008, 07:24 PM   #12
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Nice job Andy, great write up...you beat me to the DIY. I had my camera out last night and took one before pic and then wasted 30 minutes (the time I thought the whole job would take) trying to nicely unlatch the hooks in your first pic. I gave up when the wife told me dinner was ready and keep thinking about it. While doing dishes I cleaned a mini spatula and it came to me....BAM within 10 seconds with the mini spatula I was able to unlatch them. I then just resnapped them cause the UFC Fights were starting. Your angle of the arrows in the first pic are PERFECT.
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      04-03-2008, 07:59 PM   #13
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Hi Andy, great write ups! This may be a little off topic, but do you know if there is there a power source among the wires in the map light / sunroof switch panel that is only live when the car is locked? I'd like to hook up an LED panel that activates only when it's locked...
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      04-03-2008, 10:47 PM   #14
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Man I tried and tried with a butter knife. Eventually I just got fed up with it and felt like I was going to snap the light cover off. So instead I managed my fingers into the roof liner and popped it out that way (as suggested). There's a little bit of a trick to maneuvering your fingers far enough in to be able to push the latches, but after you figure it out, it's cake.

Thanks for the writeup btw.
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      04-05-2008, 08:00 AM   #15
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I have been trying for an hour can't get the panel off. There are metal clips along the the whole edge, are those the ones you are pushing back or there are other clips that snap on to those. Also do I push up with the knife and pull the panel down? Thanks for the write-up.
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      04-05-2008, 08:17 AM   #16
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This thread on e90post may help in showing the tabs better than I explained.

There are two tabs along the front edge. They are located approximately at the maplights. You need to pus the tabs toward the back of the panel to release the front edge. The front edge needs to be released first.

edit: here is a picture of the clips from the side.
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      04-05-2008, 08:20 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cozza View Post
Hi Andy, great write ups! This may be a little off topic, but do you know if there is there a power source among the wires in the map light / sunroof switch panel that is only live when the car is locked? I’d like to hook up an LED panel that activates only when it’s locked...
You would need to get in there with VOM and see what is hot.
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      04-05-2008, 09:09 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyM View Post
You would need to get in there with VOM and see what is hot.
Yeah, figured you'd say that
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      04-05-2008, 10:21 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cozza View Post
Yeah, figured you’d say that
This should help

I would still check the wires with a VOM.
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      04-06-2008, 12:30 AM   #20
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Anybody looking for constant power used the big fat red wire on the plug that goes to the sunroof motor.
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      04-06-2008, 07:41 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyM View Post
This should help

I would still check the wires with a VOM.
Thanks mate, I'll come back to this thread when I eventually get my car... in about 3 months!!
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      05-09-2008, 09:34 AM   #22
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On the 1 series, is this a convenient location if you have to press the mute button, or would it be easier with the remotely installed mute button?
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