Power source for radar detector near rearview mirror
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: TN
Power source for radar detector near rearview mirror
I just traded in my 2010 RX for a 2013RX this weekend. I had a stealth cord that I plugged in at the back of the mirror on the 2010, but the 2013 has no such plug-in. I know it has to have power in the mirror, but how does it get there? Does it go through the adjustable mirror bracket or what? Has anyone connected their detectors to a 12 volt source from the upper console. I'm going to look at it closer tonight. Any help will be appreciated.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 462
Likes: 4
From: NV
You can use the car 's fuse box to create a new circuit.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6316515_wire...se-panels.html
Or you can tap into one of the circuit already there such as the cigarette lighter. You can buy a double connector to connect to that circuit.
You can also buy a connector to plug in into the cigarette lighter plug if you dont mind the wire being visible.
To thread the wire from the fuse box to your radar detector, I am not sure how this goes.
Note: I just check the car. It turned out the fuse box is not inside the car underneath the dashboard but in the engine compartment. That makes my suggestion a bit difficult to do. It is still doable if you can thread the wire thru the firewall into the car interior.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6316515_wire...se-panels.html
Or you can tap into one of the circuit already there such as the cigarette lighter. You can buy a double connector to connect to that circuit.
You can also buy a connector to plug in into the cigarette lighter plug if you dont mind the wire being visible.
To thread the wire from the fuse box to your radar detector, I am not sure how this goes.
Note: I just check the car. It turned out the fuse box is not inside the car underneath the dashboard but in the engine compartment. That makes my suggestion a bit difficult to do. It is still doable if you can thread the wire thru the firewall into the car interior.
Last edited by LeoDLion; Oct 2, 2012 at 01:29 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,868
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
In my '04, I was unable to find a switched power wire in the overhead light module, which is pretty easy to remove, so I would up taking off the side panel to the left of the passenger's footwell, taping into the lighter wire (which is switched), and running the wire up through the glove compartment and up the edge of the windshield, where it is easily concealed. This sounds like more trouble that it actually is.
In my SC, I found a switched power line in the overhead light module, which makes installation a little easier.
That said, I have no experience with the 3rd gen RX, but I have been putting lines into my cars for 20 years for my V1, and have always been able to do it myself without much trouble. I would only suggest that you find a switched power cord, and not use one that is hot all the time, as you could easily leave it on when you leave the car and no good can come from that.
In my SC, I found a switched power line in the overhead light module, which makes installation a little easier.
That said, I have no experience with the 3rd gen RX, but I have been putting lines into my cars for 20 years for my V1, and have always been able to do it myself without much trouble. I would only suggest that you find a switched power cord, and not use one that is hot all the time, as you could easily leave it on when you leave the car and no good can come from that.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: TN
Thanks for the replies. I've answered my own question. This is how I wired my radar detector in with power coming out of the rear view mirror on my 2013 RX. Today I finally got a chance to work on the power to the detector problem and it turned out to be very simple. I removed the torx headed screw that holds the mirror to the windshield bracket. There is a collar at the top off the mirror bracket that snaps off. With the collar out of the way the mirror slides up and off of the windshield plate(for lack of a better word). On the back side of the mirror bracket is a connector that has 5-8 wires. I unplugged the connector and searched for the keyed hot wire and ground.. It turned out to be that the black wire was hot with the key on and the white wire was the ground. It was easy to push the stealth pins into place and run the wire along side the bundle coming out of the headliner. I put a couple of small wire ties on the stealth wire and the bundle and ran it out to the radar detector which I mount with the suction cups just above and to the left side of the mirror. I hope this helps others that don't like for the detector cord to be laying on the dash. With this method everything is pretty much hidden behind the mirror and shaded portion of the upper windshield.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: TX
Thanks mac12 - I was looking for a DIY on this. I'm a little hesitant to tear down my wife's 3 day old 2013 RX but she wants her radar detector back :-) I've mounted these in many cars, I just sometimes worry about the amp draw of the radar detector and what those (often) tiny guage wires are rated for. I know the radar detectors don't require a ton of power, so I'm sure it's an unfounded concern.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,868
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
The voltage is always 12v, and is never a problem; the V1 and many others use conventional phone cord which handles 12v very well. As for amperage, that varies by detector, but the V1 has an in-line fuse for protection against a short or surge (if surges are possible in a car). I don't know about other detectors, but if your detector did not come with an in-line fuse, they are readily available wherever fine car parts are sold, but you should ask yourself what you are doing with a detector so cheap it does not have a simple fuse.
In my many years with a V-1 (ever since it came out) I have only blown the fuse when the wiring got shorted out while I was messing with it.
In my many years with a V-1 (ever since it came out) I have only blown the fuse when the wiring got shorted out while I was messing with it.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: FL
Hi all, I wonder if anyone knows how to do the same thing for my 2013 GS 350? I also have the '13 RX 350 and in comparing mac12's RX experience I see the rear mirror set up is slightly different in the GS350. I took off the rear mirror and found that the wiring went right into the arm and into the mirror assembly itself. My guess is that following the power wire back up the windshield means the wiring conector is behind the overhead console panel. I'm a little scared to pry on the overhead console panel.. as I dont know exaclty how it comes off. If anyone has any ideas, would love to hear them... otherwise may have to go to my Lexus dealer to ask? - Thanks.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Ohio
Hi all, I wonder if anyone knows how to do the same thing for my 2013 GS 350? I also have the '13 RX 350 and in comparing mac12's RX experience I see the rear mirror set up is slightly different in the GS350. I took off the rear mirror and found that the wiring went right into the arm and into the mirror assembly itself. My guess is that following the power wire back up the windshield means the wiring conector is behind the overhead console panel. I'm a little scared to pry on the overhead console panel.. as I dont know exaclty how it comes off. If anyone has any ideas, would love to hear them... otherwise may have to go to my Lexus dealer to ask? - Thanks.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1
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From: NC
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Thanks for the replies. I've answered my own question. This is how I wired my radar detector in with power coming out of the rear view mirror on my 2013 RX. Today I finally got a chance to work on the power to the detector problem and it turned out to be very simple. I removed the torx headed screw that holds the mirror to the windshield bracket. There is a collar at the top off the mirror bracket that snaps off. With the collar out of the way the mirror slides up and off of the windshield plate(for lack of a better word). On the back side of the mirror bracket is a connector that has 5-8 wires. I unplugged the connector and searched for the keyed hot wire and ground.. It turned out to be that the black wire was hot with the key on and the white wire was the ground. It was easy to push the stealth pins into place and run the wire along side the bundle coming out of the headliner. I put a couple of small wire ties on the stealth wire and the bundle and ran it out to the radar detector which I mount with the suction cups just above and to the left side of the mirror. I hope this helps others that don't like for the detector cord to be laying on the dash. With this method everything is pretty much hidden behind the mirror and shaded portion of the upper windshield.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: CA
Be careful mounting your radar detector behind the shading frits in the windshield. I contacted Escort with this question and their reply was, "The radar (radio) reception is unaffected, however the laser detection is blocked by the frits."
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,868
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
The inclination is to try to mount the detector behind the mirror, but often there is tinting, etc that gets in the way. Also, although it is a little out of the way, it is safer to mount it on the right side of the mirror, rather than on the left, to keep it away from your head, as it could become a flying projectile in the event of an unscheduled impact. The higher on the windshield you mount it, the better the reception, but keep it below the heavy tinting.
For the best reception, get a Valentine, although it costs more (why would that be - is there a correlation between price and performance?).
For the best reception, get a Valentine, although it costs more (why would that be - is there a correlation between price and performance?).
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 147
Likes: 5
From: Tx
i mounted my radar detector under my rear view mirror in 2013 RX350, and powered it from the rear view mirror. It took about 10 minutes to do.
I followed this thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post6915617
I followed this thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post6915617