[rflagg]

I've read a thread or two concerning mounting radar detectors in the MDX.

What I have not seen are pictures of the installlation and placement of the detector.

Some people wrote that they removed the A-Pillar molding to route the wire. How did you remove it? I would like to see some pictures!

I can see pulling the molding back away from the windshield, but I don't see how to route the wire through the dash. (I want the wire to connect to the fuse box.)


Thanks!

rflagg

 

[New MDXer]

rflagg,

I just ran the wire from the lighter to the left of the computer and then to the detector. Certainly did not look professional.

Be careful leaving the detector on the windshield in public. I had mine stolen the other weekend. The driver side glass was broken, repair cost ~ $436.

 

[Markedoc]

Overhead Console

I would think the simplest place to get power would be the overhead light console. I've figured out how to get it apart, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to wire it. I wired my last car in 15 minutes this way but I can't seem to get a switched hot wire in the console. Can anyone help?

 

[TheWorm]

Re: Overhead Console

I would think the simplest place to get power would be the overhead light console. I've figured out how to get it apart, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to wire it. I wired my last car in 15 minutes this way but I can't seem to get a switched hot wire in the console. Can anyone help?

As I recall, the light switches are negative-switched, so the + side is always hot. You'd have to turn off the detector manually or risk a dead battery (along with the flashing lights/tones as it detects radar in your parked car). One alternative is to use the "master" interior light switch on the center console and turn it off when you leave the car (thus turning off the radar detector) but as a result you'd lose the lights-on-when-door's-open function.

If you don't want to manually power up/down the detector, I'd be inclined to run the power wire down the A-pillar, then under dash, and tap a switched fuse/wire on the driver or pax side fuse panel. Alternately, you could come in from behind to the center console power/lighter socket.

Homelink unit switches are are always-on.

One other thought -- the auto-dimming rearview mirror is switched with ignition, isn't it? 2 wires are up there someplace!

 

[Markedoc]

That's odd. With my last car, it was an easy clip to one overhead console wire. When the car was on, the detector was on. When the car was off, the detector was off. Functionally, I think the consoles work in the same manner.

Maybe I need to go the fuse as you suggest.

 

[frostyra]

The best spot, although it's under the dash, might be to the backside of the accessory power socket beneath the radio; it's on with either of the "key on" positions. You want to connect to the white wire with the red stripe -- and it would be best if you would have a fuse between that connection and the radar detector.

The white wire with blue stripe going to the front map lights would also work, but it's hot at all times and wouldn't go off with the key (those lights are ground-switched, so the wht/blu wire is always hot).

I haven't found where they hid the auto-dimming mirror in the electrical manual. EDITED by Frostyra: Found it! The white wire going to the auto-dim mirror is hot when the key is in the Run position, so if you can get to it, it should be fine. It's fused by a 10A fuse (#5 in the driver's side under-dash fuse/relay box). This wire is yellow with a red stripe until it gets to a plug, where it turns white to go to the mirror.

Good luck!

 

[TheWorm]

Looks to me like there's a 3P connector from the mirror, probably located ABOVE the light assembly (might have to remove it). The Yellow+Red wire looks to be + switched. YMMV and I'm not so good @ reading electrical diagrams. A multimeter is your friend!

 

[Markedoc]

TheWorm -

I checked that wire a few weeks ago and my el cheapo meter (lights when there's current) said it was the switched wire I was looking for. Got the extra 3M connectors in the mail and snapped one on - didn't work, and my el cheapo meter says it's not hot now. No idea what's going on.

I might try the under dash wire - the one I found hot/switched was grey, not white w/red stripe.

I'm only an accountant!

Mark

 

[TheWorm]

We should caution those following along at home that there is the potential that wiring harnesses and colors might've changed between 01 and 02.

Markedoc - No idea why it would be switched one time, then not later. I don't see anything indicating that it's connected to the headlight switches. I'm reading the diagnostic procedures and there definitely should be + voltage w/ignition on (position II, *not* accessory position I) from the yellow+red wire. It *might* be disabled if the car's in Reverse *or* if you've switched the autodimming feature off, but I'm not certain (there's an internal control unit in the mirror, but it doesn't say in the general service manual what logic or output it uses).

When digging around for my DRLs and video stuff, black+yellow seemed to be a common ignition-switched wire color, too. There are lots of wires -- I'm confident you'll find at least one that works

 

[teamTMS]

hardwiring the Valentine 1

I was able to hardwire the V1 into my MDX.

1. the 12V wire (used to power the accessory jacks) is located by the driver's left foot, it is in the wire harness against the sidewall behind the parking break (sorry forgot the wire color)

2. ran the wire up the side of the dash via the pull out panel on the left side of the dash just by the driver door

3. ran the wire up the piller against the windshield ... there is enough room to push the wire into the piller (a small amount of wire shows from the dash to the piller window edge)

4. ran the wire all the way across the top of the windshield and comes out just above the rear view mirror

My Valentine 1 sits just below my rear view mirror.

I also have the consealed display mounted on my steering column in front of the dash with velcro.

 

[MarylandMDX]

Re: hardwiring the Valentine 1

Could you tell which wire? There is a whole jumble of them. One white wire is in a distinct and separate green connector. Is that it?

Also, how do you tap into this wire?

Many thanks

I was able to hardwire the V1 into my MDX.

1. the 12V wire (used to power the accessory jacks) is located by the driver's left foot, it is in the wire harness against the sidewall behind the parking break (sorry forgot the wire color)

2. ran the wire up the side of the dash via the pull out panel on the left side of the dash just by the driver door

3. ran the wire up the piller against the windshield ... there is enough room to push the wire into the piller (a small amount of wire shows from the dash to the piller window edge)

4. ran the wire all the way across the top of the windshield and comes out just above the rear view mirror

My Valentine 1 sits just below my rear view mirror.

I also have the consealed display mounted on my steering column in front of the dash with velcro.

 

[mcclendons]

On an '01, the yellow wire with red stripe in the overhead console is switched. Have mine wired there, and there is plenty of room to squeeze in a V1 adapter. Probably same wire on newer MDXs

Markedoc. I believe you had the right wire. It is switched only w/ the key in run position (on mine anyway), not the ACC spot. Also, the wire is fairly small, so the 3m may not have gotten thru all insulation and made good contact. When I put mine on, I twisted it around the wire a couple of times to make sure it was all the way thru. Might try the yellow + red again

 

[bingster]

Here's my install -- its a low-tech radar detector. As you'll see, the wire is routed to the passenger side. Power is routed from the accessories socket under the radio (this is switched) to the passenger side fuse box. Hope this helps.

 

[bingster]

next pic

 

[bingster]

last one

 

[xfactor]

Nice install and illustration, bingster...
:29:

 

[hammermdx]

bingster,

For maximum protection you may want to consider mounting the radar detector higher on the windshield. I have mind right below the tint line and ran the wire across the headliner and then down the A pillar.