Hard wire accessories like Radar Detector

[alegerlotz]

I have a Valentine One radar detector that I would like to hard wire into my 2005 Z4 3.0i rather than using the cigarette lighter socket as a power source.

There appears to be a suitable fuse on the fuse block to which I can connect, but I cannot seem to figure out how to route the wire between the fuse block on and the radar detector on the dash board. On most fixed roof cars, the plastic covers over the a pillars in the interior easily pop out. On the Z4, these plastic covers are integrated into the trim that goes above the windshield and even with the visors removed, this trim fails to budge.

Another alternative is for me to mount the radar detector higher on the windshield up near the visors and to tie into the interior dome light as a power source. Again, I cannot figure out how to remove this trim without potentially damaging it.

Does anyone have experience wiring in an accessory of this type, and with removing the a pillar trim or dome light trim.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Al

 

[Shipkiller]

I have done the same thing with my Ipod and RD..

To pull off your A-Piller trim, you first must remove the sun visor(s). Just unscrew it. Then after the sun visor is off, the trim piece comes right out. If you remove both visors, then the top trim piece will come off allowing wiring to be run through it.

If you are going to run the wiring through the dash, removing the vent/cup holder(s), instrument cluster and center vent and lower plate helps a bunch.
Remove the two screws that hold the left or right vent/cup holder. One screw (top one) is hidden behind the screw trim 'cup'. If you are going to route it on the drivers side (US), to help out, pull the battery cable and then remove the single screw on the instrument cluster (dead center on the the over hang - its a torx screw) then just pull the cluster out, then remove the cable. Then remove the center vents and center lower access plate.

After all that is out, you can route the cabling all over the dash.

 

[WLH]

Shipkiller, you make it sound so easy...

 

[Shipkiller]

It really is... The only special too needed is a set of Torx bits...

 

[WLH]

It really is... The only special too needed is a set of Torx bits...

I'm tempted to hard wire my radar detector...

 

[alegerlotz]

Thanks for the info. I guess I haven't been pulling hard enough on the trim for fear of breaking the tabs that hold it in place... I'll unscrew those sunvisors and see what I can come up with.

I need to get the RD hardwired in there so I can use it and my GPS simultaneously... Even if I'm not sure where I"m going, I want to get lost as quickly as possible 8)

-Al

 

[Shipkiller]

I have my RD, Garmin unit and Ipod all powered from the fuse box.

Caveat. Some of the open fuse slots are powered with the key off. Some are powered only will the key on. You have to find the ones you want.

You can also use something called 'Add a fuse'. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Littelfuse-FHA200BP-ATO-Add-A-Circuit-Kit/dp/B0002BGELQ

 

[Taz]

On most fixed roof cars, the plastic covers over the a pillars in the interior easily pop out. On the Z4, these plastic covers are integrated into the trim that goes above the windshield and even with the visors removed, this trim fails to budge.

do you mean the trim on the front pillars? my trim just pulled out easily, i removed it when fitting my Parrot, I installed the micrphone above the rear viwe mirror

 

[edgreen]

What is anyone's favorite route for running a wire through the firewall?

Escort (and probably other brand) radar detectors have an optional unit to mount in the cockpit (2 LEDs and mute button), so the detector can be mounted remotely, such as behind the grill. Reduces the probability of theft, and possibly doesn't tick off law enforcement as much as seeing one mounted on the windshield. The info in this thread is great for tapping power and running wires through the dash, but what about getting one under the hood?