Ok so I've spent the whole day reading and searching threads on hard wiring a radar detector. A lot of them are on the R56 forum so it got a bit confusing. I'm good with nuts and bolts but electricals are a bit tricky for me and I've never done this before. I have a lot of questions and things I need to confirm. If someone can give me really good details or even pictures, that would be great.

But, here's what I narrowed it down too...

1. Buy one of these:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1181347936453

2. Snake the power source cable from the OBD through the A pillar to the to the headliner area.

3. Hide the power source cable for the radar detector in the headliner where it meets the windshield.

3. Hook/Splice up 12V cable to the green wire in OBD.

4. Ground wire to some screw inside the OBD.

5. Mount the radar detector remote control to a preferred location.

Here's things I'm assuming that needs confirmation:
-The OBD is located underneath the steering wheel as I'm told. Someone confirm?

-The A pillar is the pillar that meets the windshield and driver's window. Someone confirm?

Here is where I have questions and need pictures/fine details.
-How do I snake the power cable through the A pillar?
-Where is there a area near the OBD that I can snake up?
-Once snaked up through A Pillar, you just have to hide the power cable in the headliner and bring it across to the rear view mirror area...correct?

-To splice into the green 12V wire, is there a specific tool I need? or just strip some of the plastic, attach the new wire, and then seal with electric tape?
-If the hardwire kit comes with the splicing tool, how do you use it?

-Does it matter where you ground the wire?
-I just have to ground the ground wire to any screw I find in the OBD area correct?


I know some of these questions or things that I need confirmation for is a bit silly and probably really simple for most of you guys. But bear with me. I just want to do this right, so I don't mess anything up. Thanks everyone.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ntine-one.html

My install went as follows (for a Valentine One):
Suction cup detector holder up by rear view mirror
Run wire up under the headliner, down the A-pillar (the wire tucks nicely underneath it, I used a little pick to pull the cover back where needed) and along the crease in the dash forward and towards the door.
Remove the plastic cover on the side of the dash - it just snaps out.
Fish wire down under the dash - it will exit right down by the fuse box (you may need to remove the knee bolster/parcel shelf.)
Connect the wiring to the add-a-circuit, then connect the add-a-circuit. I used fuse#36. Pull the fuse and the put the add-a-circuit in its place with an appropriate sized fuse for the detector.
The toughest part is finding a ground for the detector wiring - I used one in the upper left side, but it's a PIA to get to.
I then zip tied the detector wiring (the V1 comes with a two port connector for an auxillary display) to a bundle of wires above the fuse box.

There are some other installs related in these threads.

Uh, bump for the V1 search.

 

ground screw is simple to find. with the bolster down, its at the bottom part of the front dash panel

here...



i have an escort like you....here is what i did with my smart cord....





and my mounting location... I thought i had pics with the new anthracite headliner and carbon fiber dash, but i guess not... these are all from my old setup.