Mirror tap for radar detector
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 143
Likes: 138
From: Pennsylvania
Mirror tap for radar detector
I have a Uniden R3 detector laying around and I was thinking of possibly using it in the IS500. Not sure really necessary with using Waze etc., looking at the wires behind the mirror I see the pink for the hot but I do not see a blue/brown wire as other posts have mentioned for the ground. Can anyone give me some information on this of how they wired theirs. Other color for ground?
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 223
Likes: 182
From: SC
Not really, but...
True confession. I had installed about 3 other mirror tap installations but, also, could find no drawings with the mirror connector. So I turned the ignition on and used a multimeter to find 12v between any two of the wires, successfully I thought. It was a bear getting even the smallest tap into the connector, unlike my other installations, partially because of the location of the seats relative to the mirror connection, but also because the connector had little clearance for the tap, strangely. I did get it and I did not bother to worry about wire colors since I used the hunt and peck method. Unfortunately, after I put everything together I discovered that I had actually located "always hot". Not really a disaster since all I have to do is turn off my Valentine. Since I never leave it mounted and connected when I leave the car I am not worried about accidentally leaving it energized. Sorry i cannot directly answer your question, but I wanted you to know that hunt and peck works.
Larry
Larry
Driver
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 71
Likes: 46
From: AZ
I have the same Uniden R3 and took the easy route instead of trying to figure out the colors since my 2023 IS500 pinout and colors do not match anything that I found.
Ended up ordering these from amazon and they hook right up to the Rain Sensor 10 PIN Type B adapter. Worked like a charm. I know Dongar has a similar adapter but they've been on back order for some time. Now that the RJ-11 to USB is there if I want to swap out my radar detector with a newer model that has a camera I can.
Ended up ordering these from amazon and they hook right up to the Rain Sensor 10 PIN Type B adapter. Worked like a charm. I know Dongar has a similar adapter but they've been on back order for some time. Now that the RJ-11 to USB is there if I want to swap out my radar detector with a newer model that has a camera I can.
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 11
From: CA
I have a Uniden R3 detector laying around and I was thinking of possibly using it in the IS500. Not sure really necessary with using Waze etc., looking at the wires behind the mirror I see the pink for the hot but I do not see a blue/brown wire as other posts have mentioned for the ground. Can anyone give me some information on this of how they wired theirs. Other color for ground?
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 223
Likes: 182
From: SC
Wow, I had no idea this stuff existed! Let me get this straight, you plug-in this adaptor between the rain sensor or dash cam and its power cord, then you use the USB to RJ connector into your radar detector?
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 11
From: CA
I can't comment on how to power the radar detector. The usb is 5v, but the kit that i bought also has an option to use bare leads instead to give you +12v (the tapped voltage) when you turn on the car (not constant). But yeah, plug and play. No splicing required.
There's two leads total. So I guess you can power up both a dashcam and radar detector. Unsure what the fuse is rated at though.
There's two leads total. So I guess you can power up both a dashcam and radar detector. Unsure what the fuse is rated at though.
Last edited by Molten500; Nov 9, 2024 at 10:42 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 223
Likes: 182
From: SC
Any of the two choices would have been a whole lot easier than the mirror tap arrangement. But, the traditional mirror tap just results in a very short wire from the mirror connector to the RJ plug, almost invisible. I have no buyer's remorse but I need to learn more from this forum, clearly. Thanks.
Trending Topics
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
Not sure if the same for IS500 but likely is
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-tap-help.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post9865143
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-to-radar.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-tap-help.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post9865143
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-to-radar.html
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 223
Likes: 182
From: SC
Great help for those who who need this help now. I was too impatient and only searched the IS500 Forum. The number of posts was small and only partially helpful. Of course now that I have done it, everything seems obvious. For me the trickiest part was holding a multimeter so that I could read it while also holding two probes to find 12v and ground. The pinout would really have been helpful. Oh well, my impatience has caused problems before. I hope others see this thread!
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 198
Likes: 229
Thanks for this, I have a Maxcam 360c and blendmount/hardwire kit ready to go. I'll see how the wiring goes.
Noticed a few reviews of the Fitcamx where IS500 owners said that camera would throw codes. That setup doesn't use a hardtap but instead a inline cable. Not sure why it would throw codes, maybe it pulls too much current sometimes, or the added resistance added by the harness causes problems for the OEM sensors. Hoping the mirror tap doesn't have that issue.
Noticed a few reviews of the Fitcamx where IS500 owners said that camera would throw codes. That setup doesn't use a hardtap but instead a inline cable. Not sure why it would throw codes, maybe it pulls too much current sometimes, or the added resistance added by the harness causes problems for the OEM sensors. Hoping the mirror tap doesn't have that issue.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 184
Likes: 11
From: GA
I have the same Uniden R3 and took the easy route instead of trying to figure out the colors since my 2023 IS500 pinout and colors do not match anything that I found.
Ended up ordering these from amazon and they hook right up to the Rain Sensor 10 PIN Type B adapter. Worked like a charm. I know Dongar has a similar adapter but they've been on back order for some time. Now that the RJ-11 to USB is there if I want to swap out my radar detector with a newer model that has a camera I can.
Amazon.com: KWRNVO Dash Cam Power Adapter 10 PIN Type B, Adapters for Dash Cam Compatible with Toyota,Lexus, Subaru Models, Rearview Mirror Dash Cam Power Adapter with 3 USB Cable : Electronics
Amazon.com: Jsvecip Radar Detector Cable, USB to RJ11 Plug Cable,for Escort Radenso XP Uniden Beltronics Cobra Whistler Radar Detector,Replacement Power Cable for Radar Detectors (RJ11-1.6ft) : Electronics
Ended up ordering these from amazon and they hook right up to the Rain Sensor 10 PIN Type B adapter. Worked like a charm. I know Dongar has a similar adapter but they've been on back order for some time. Now that the RJ-11 to USB is there if I want to swap out my radar detector with a newer model that has a camera I can.
Amazon.com: KWRNVO Dash Cam Power Adapter 10 PIN Type B, Adapters for Dash Cam Compatible with Toyota,Lexus, Subaru Models, Rearview Mirror Dash Cam Power Adapter with 3 USB Cable : Electronics
Amazon.com: Jsvecip Radar Detector Cable, USB to RJ11 Plug Cable,for Escort Radenso XP Uniden Beltronics Cobra Whistler Radar Detector,Replacement Power Cable for Radar Detectors (RJ11-1.6ft) : Electronics
I was thinking of doing it the crude way. I have a long cable that came with it and I can tuck it into the headliner but running it down the passenger side of the windshield to tuck under the glove compartment and then under center console to plug into cigarette adapter. The issue is the hooks the dash cam came with wont stick to the side of the felt on the side of the windshield and I dont want to stick it on the glass so its going to look messy. Wouldnt mind paying someone to do this. Don't have a good mechanic though
Driver
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 71
Likes: 46
From: AZ
Super easy. Took me less than 5 minutes. The clip on the 10 pin Type B for the Rain sensor I suppose could be iffy if you were yanking on it. Press in the tab pull it out. Put in the original 10pin to the adapter and plug back in. Then the USB to RJ-11. Zip tie and tuck the cable in the housing. Plug in the Radar Detector and you're done.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 184
Likes: 11
From: GA
Super easy. Took me less than 5 minutes. The clip on the 10 pin Type B for the Rain sensor I suppose could be iffy if you were yanking on it. Press in the tab pull it out. Put in the original 10pin to the adapter and plug back in. Then the USB to RJ-11. Zip tie and tuck the cable in the housing. Plug in the Radar Detector and you're done.
Is this the video you watched or is there a better one?
Last edited by jms123; Nov 9, 2024 at 10:23 PM.