Installing a Radar Detector in a M3

[Macadonious]

Has anyone installed a radar in there M3 and hidden the wire. If so, please let me know how and were you hid the wire. I cannot figure out where to run the wire. I also cannot figure out how to remove the kick panels on the console.:'(

Pix would help too.

[Bijou-MP5]

most ppl just wired up with dome light...

[zoomster]

Originally posted by Bijou-MP5
most ppl just wired up with dome light... the dome light only gets power to it when the light is on, doesn't it? i'd pul the headliner down a bit in the front and run the wires under that and down the pillar. then tap in to the acc wire under the column so that it comes on with the car at all times.

[Bijou-MP5]

Originally posted by t3ase
the dome light only gets power to it when the light is on, doesn't it? i'd pul the headliner down a bit in the front and run the wires under that and down the pillar. then tap in to the acc wire under the column so that it comes on with the car at all times.

hmm.... not the dome light... ..can't think the name of it...
the one above view mirror

[wongpres]

Originally posted by Bijou-MP5
hmm.... not the dome light... ..can't think the name of it...
the one above view mirror

Map lights

[zoomster]

Originally posted by wongpres
Map lights
still, aren't those switchable and not always on?

[Macadonious]

All of you had interesting suggestions, but your suggestions lead to cutting the end of the wire were it plugs into the cigerate lighter plug and splicing it with other wires. I was wondering if it can be done without it being spliced and using the cigerate lighter plug.

[zoomster]

I didn't mention the cigarette lighter at all. :D

Run the wires down to the ignition harness under the steering column and hook it up there...

[eting_pro5]

MINI HOW TO:

You'll need:
a)Wire
b)Wire cutters/strippers
c)electrical tape
d)cigarette adapter (available at an auto parts store)
e)zip ties
f)razor blade
g)paper clip

Procedure:
1)Find an inconspicuous spot for the cigarette adapter, near the driver's side fuse box, or inside the driver's side dash access panel is usually a good spot.
2)Zip tie the adapter into place. Make sure to leave room for the radar plug when it's plugged in.
3)Attach wires to either the short wires on the adapter, or the mounting points on it (depends on what your adapter looks like)
4)One wire is a ground (usually black, but the adapter packaging should tell you) Attach this to a grounding screw (These can be found in fuse boxes, or pretty much any screw that attaches to metal should work)

This is where you get to make a decision:
You can either a) tap into a wire or b) use a fuse to get power
Using a fuse is easiest to access and easy reverse without evidence of your tampering, at the same time i'm not sure how smart this is, as you pretty much bypass the fuse with it.

5a) locate the wire you want to use for your tap. using the existing cigarette adapter wire would be ideal.
6a)Using your wire stripers, make 2 marks on the wire about half an inch apart (by marks I mean use the appropriate gauge for your wire and cut the sheathing down to the wire.)
7a)use the razor to remove the sheathing between the two marks. You now have a half inch of exposed wire.
8a) Straighten your paper clip and use it to separate the braided wire of your accesory wire into two strands.
9a)Take the power wire from your new adapter, thread it through the accesory wire, wrap it around a few times and finish it up with some electrical tape.

5b)Select the fuse of your choosing and remove it
6b)wrap the power wire of your new adapter around the base of the fuse.
7b) use electrical tape to secure the sheathed wire to the fuse so that it will not move and pull the wire away.
8b)Reinsert fuse

As for hiding your radar detector wire, i was able to run mine from the drivers side of the dash, just along the windshield to the center of the dash. just poke it in a bit with a blunt object. it's not completely gone but it's good enough for me.

[mtnbiker26]

I mounted mine low on the windshield and ran the wire in the groove where the glass meets the dash. Once I got to the edge of the dash I ran it down and then up under the dash near where the carpet stops and then I just spliced into the cigarette lighter from the back.

[Macadonious]

I know this might be a dumb question, but on a M3, where is the driverside fuse box. I looked for it today and I could not find it.

[Bijou-MP5]

probably same location as p5? where rest foot pedals at?

[Macadonious]

Did not see them at the foot pedals

[mazdadan]

If the car is equipped with a sunroof, I would pull the power from the wiring going to the sunroof switch. Then the radar detector would turn on and off with the ignition and the wiring can be tucked up in the headliner.

[pr5owner]

LOL stop ghettoing your car and tap power from your ACC wire, that way your radar detector turns on when your car is on

you can probably shove the wire in between the dash and windshield and run it along the side

[Macadonious]

Originally posted by pr5owner
LOL stop ghettoing your car and tap power from your ACC wire, that way your radar detector turns on when your car is on

you can probably shove the wire in between the dash and windshield and run it along the side
That is what I want to do, but I canot find the fuse box

[pr5owner]

the fuse box should be by your left leg, should say fuse box on it, but if you can't find it try to tap the acc wire going to your DECK

[Macadonious]

the fuse box should be by your left leg, should say fuse box on it, but if you can't find it try to tap the acc wire going to your DECK
Just found the fuse box. There is not one on the driverside, but on the passanger side. The one that is usually on the driverside is under the hood

[Macadonious]

Just installed the rader detector in my car. The fuse box is on the driverside under the hood. If you look at the 40AMP fuse there is a empty slot next to it. I just pluged it in there. If you want pix, let me know.

[Dave2521]

Just installed the rader detector in my car. The fuse box is on the driverside under the hood. If you look at the 40AMP fuse there is a empty slot next to it. I just pluged it in there. If you want pix, let me know.

hey if you could post some pics or a link to some that would be cool, me and my bro were going to go out and install one on my car today but we couldnt find a good way to run the wire with out it being noticable.

or just e-mail them to me at dave2521@cox.net

Thanks

[Macadonious]

hey if you could post some pics or a link to some that would be cool, me and my bro were going to go out and install one on my car today but we couldnt find a good way to run the wire with out it being noticable.

or just e-mail them to me at dave2521@cox.net

Thanks
NP, I will post pix today

[eting_pro5]

With your detector wired into the empty slot, does it when does it recieve power? Always, Accesory, or On?

[Macadonious]

it is always on

[Macadonious]

Here are the pix. The first is the wiring from the radar that goes between the window and dash
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/pebb4c175cdf39b12ad484088a1980499/f99b3093.jpg
Now the wiring goes from the window to the b-piller & around the door seal
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p54afa0651ae7b01ce02f5cd42ac5f8ff/f99b3090.jpg
As you see, it now goes into a space within the fender which leads to the engine bay
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/pd88ac97ddd8284b7335e5491c834a90e/f99b308e.jpg
Here it comes out and had to be cut and spliced. note the gound wire.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p6f70d16243de3f2f3a97e9a4a3f51198/f99b308c.jpg
The last two are simply pix of the connection inside the fuse box
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/pf22f08a1741c1f3a912f986d4dfc07ff/f99b308d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p66ae5ce0e6b7181681528885ae8ad320/f99b308a.jpg

[Flythesmuk]

[QUOTE=Macadonious]Has anyone installed a radar in there M3 and hidden the wire. If so, please let me know how and were you hid the wire. I cannot figure out where to run the wire. I also cannot figure out how to remove the kick panels on the console.:'(

Pix would help too.

:
There's ALWAYS cordless!! (thumb)

[Dave2521]

What is a good brand that has very good radar detector at a pretty good price? Ive been looking a Bel-Tronics Vector 940... for only like 179. Dont know if its truly a good one but lot of good reviews on it so i was thinking of going for it.

[Zoomin 3]

wouldn't it be cleaner to run the wire back to the windsheild and then solder it in parallel with the cig outlet

[Macadonious]

Zoomin3, that would be a good idea, if it where possible to get to the back of the cigeret lighter outlet