Radar Detector Direct Wire Installation

[mgm1979]

So, I got my Escort 8500 x50 direct-wire cord in the mail today...the directions say to consult someone familiary with the car's electrical wiring system for installation - I figure, that would be someone on here.

I'm looking for a wire that would only power the detector when the car is on (aux power maybe), but I have no clue where to find which wire is which under the dash.

Anyone installed this in the RL before, or know which wire I should splice into?

Thanks

[SilverRedLine04]

id go behind the radio.

get a tester and find the one that has power when the car is on, and shuts off with the radio.

its yellow i believe.

good luck, splice behind the harness, so you can put in an aftermarket deck later and not desterb your wireing.

also dont cut, get a wire tapper, that would work.

good luck

[zfactor]

yes take the wire from the radio then. it is a yellow wire there may be two of them on some ions there are 2. if so pm me ill tell you which one to use. i helped many here withe wiring questions i own a stereo shop

[slotdoc]

i would go to the fuse box. get mini fuse taps with the mini fuse on it with pigtail wire coming off of it. there is an ignition source in the fuse box. this way you aren't hacking up factory harness behind radio. good luck.

[mgm1979]

Thanks...I like the idea of not hacking up my factor wiring, but assume it's only a matter of time before that happens.

The kit I got came with a wire tap, so that was my plan to begin with, but if there are fuse taps out there, I might try and get one of those - sounds like it'd be easier - I dunno...I suck with electrical stuff (still have to wire my fog/driving lights...procrastinating).

Z - since you seem to be the wiring guru, I just might be hitting you up in the future for some help...the last thing I wanna do is screw something up and hurt my baby.

Thanks again guys...

[slotdoc]

man if you were in the chicago area my friend would help you out., he dose all my work on my car. he just inatalled the undetectable k40 into my car. turned out really good. he dose awsome work. super clean.

[zfactor]

if all your hooking up is a radar you could (and i dont use them normally for really anyhting but they are super easy for a beginner with wiring) use a t-tap on the yellow wire. ther you are not cutting it nor are you " hacking it up "
even if you did tie into the yellow you are still not hacking it up. i just pull back a little bit of insulation on the yellow, strip back your radar det. wire about 1/2" wrap it around the yellow and solder it to it. wrap it real good with tape and for an even extra measure put a zip tie around the connection so the tape can not unravel. i personally never hook anything to the fusebox. you can do it but in no offense to anyone its a cheasy way to install stuff and if you use a fuse tap you are more likely to have problems than with soldering the wires together. ive been at this for almost 14 years and i am master certified, hell i used to be on team rockford, i know kyle witherspoon personally. i competed for and with image dynamics for 4 years. not knocking anyone i just like to see stuff get done the right way. i have been told by anyone that ever had work done by us that we by far do the cleanest install they have ever seen. i just rant about ths because of all the work i fix every day because of the way "installers" wire shit up honestly there are some good ones and even some great ones out there but most of them (85%) suck ass and dont know ohm's law from thier asshole. just my 2 cents

[zfactor]

shit i mean if you were here id do it for free for ya it would take like 5 min to do it

[mgm1979]

Definitely want to do it the right/clean way...very novice when it comes to some of this stuff, but I wanna learn - hence, doing it myself rather than taking it into some shop to do it for me.

I appreciate the install offers, and I'm sure I'd be able to learn from you if it could happen, but don't think that gas could justify the "5 min" install - LoL

Z - I'll be PMing you when I get ready to do it - 'preciate the offer.