Custom Mute button and hardwire for Radar detector (Escort 8500 x50)

So i recently acquired a used x50 for cheap from a friend and its already saved my ass several times. but that cord and cigarette lighter plug in is a pain. So it was time to hardwire.

NOTE: DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. however if you have questions feel free to pm me.

right. so unfoturnatly when i was actually doing this i was short on time so photos will come up this weekend. however i did manage to take a few.

This is a simple if time consuming project, however if you do it right it will look awesome, and be very functional.

so important information first

the wire is run the same way as the mic wire in this DIY so i will not repeat it. just scroll down and read about how they wire the mic

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=720922

the switch i bought came in gloss black and gloss red, so i used some flat black and black enamel to paint the switch to match the car. this step is highly recommended.

Also, tech specs:


Looking at the contacts with the wire at the bottom:

Yellow|Green|Red|Black

Red = fused +12V
Green = Ground
Yellow and Black are the wiring for the switch and the LEDs.

For a remote mute button put a 470 ohm resistor in series with a normally open pushbutton switch between the green and yellow wires.


Stuff you need.


So the steps:

1. Remove the sunroof control panel, and the dome light panel (in other DIY link)
2. run one end of the wire down through the headliner to where the radar detector will be.
3.once you know how much wire you need, use a zip tie to secure the wire to the black brace for the sunroof.

4. now fish the other end of the wire through the opening between the glass and headliner and drop it down on your dash.
5. using a flathead tuck the wire in as you around toward the passenger door.
6. when you get to the A pillar simply tuck the wire into the seam between the A pillar top and headliner - THERE IS NO REASON TO REMOVE A PILLAR
7. run the wire under the felt on the door seal, use the screwdriver, believe me the wire will be secure and protected.
8. once you get to the bottom of the glovebox, stop, it is time to remove the glovebox, there are 6 screws, simply remove them and pull the glovebox toward the seat, disconnect the wires
9. tuck the wire in the space behind the glovebox, use zipties as necessary to keep it out of the way,
10. Dissassemble the shifter area, you will have to remove the shifter, boot, plastic trim, do not remove center console.
11. use the screwdriver to ply the side of the console away from the carpet where you knee is.
12. stick the wire in ther, and tuck it in toward the front of the footwell, just make sure its out of sight.
13. put the glovebox back in.
14. now cut the wire, and split it into its components.
15. find a purple/white wire - this is 12V that goes on and off with ignition - tap the red wire into this
16. brown wire is ground -tap green wire in here
17. take out the plastic piece thats next to ACS/DSC button, drill a hole for the switch
18, now solder the switch, a 470ohm resistor in series between the yellow and black wires.
19. mount the switch
20. put everything back together


and enjoy.

do you have any pictures of the disassembled shifter area/wires and such? That would be much appreciated cuz the is pretty sweet man

also, what do you use to disassemble it?

Nice job. Have you seen this? I make them-

Originally Posted by sgplayer69

do you have any pictures of the disassembled shifter area/wires and such? That would be much appreciated cuz the is pretty sweet man

also, what do you use to disassemble it?

sorry i dont have pics. but to dissasemble you simply need a philips and a flathead, not really a lot that goes into it.....

Originally Posted by Rickna

Nice job. Have you seen this? I make them-

ummm. no i have not. good job, look excellent, definitly valuable for people who buy V1's.

Originally Posted by mvrk10256

ummm. no i have not. good job, look excellent, definitly valuable for people who buy V1's.

Thanks for the compliment!

I have the same radar detector and plan on doing a hardwire similar to this. My problem is that detectors are illegal in DC...:-( Do you have any suggestions as to where I can hide mine in the car and then just switch it off JUST IN CASE i get pulled over? So far I think the best place would be to literally stuff the thing in front of the interiors lights next to the rearview mirror because there is a fair amount of room up there. But the detector is huge! I know this sounds like a ridiculous project but im considering disassembling it and seeing if I could just put the sensors up there and run a cable to wherever else I'd want to mount it. I plan to take it apart tonight or tomorrow to see whether or not this project has potential.

there's a DIY on here somewhere that the guy did that, it was pretty badass

Originally Posted by drumbum624

I have the same radar detector and plan on doing a hardwire similar to this. My problem is that detectors are illegal in DC...:-( Do you have any suggestions as to where I can hide mine in the car and then just switch it off JUST IN CASE i get pulled over? So far I think the best place would be to literally stuff the thing in front of the interiors lights next to the rearview mirror because there is a fair amount of room up there. But the detector is huge! I know this sounds like a ridiculous project but im considering disassembling it and seeing if I could just put the sensors up there and run a cable to wherever else I'd want to mount it. I plan to take it apart tonight or tomorrow to see whether or not this project has potential.

If you had a Valentine this would work for you-
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...0#post12647900

Originally Posted by sgplayer69

there's a DIY on here somewhere that the guy did that, it was pretty badass

Although so cool to think about, i straight up do not believe you. That guy must be a genius if he pulled that off. I opened mine up today and found one SUPER CRAZY CIRCUIT BOARD. It honestly scared me. I want to pull this off so bad but i just dont see it happening. If anything I could maybe if im really lucky and careful detach the display and the laser detection...but thats it. The thing is all packaged so tight and so hard to tamper with.

Question: Will my detector still detect radar if its not pointed directly out the windshield. Like if I hid it behind my dash or something. How much would it affect the range? I wish it wasnt so big and bulky then I could hide it anywhere.


And Rickna that WOULD be great but unfortunately I cant. My best bet is to get one of my dumb friends to buy the x50 from me for close to what i paid then buy a Valentine. I know there are millions of reviews, but what do you think of your detector?

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ector+hardwire

sorry sgplayer, i thought you meant with the escort detector. Looking back, I probably shouldve bought a V1. Oh well I'm going to see if I can make any progress with mine and if not...probably sell it and buy a V1

oh aight, yeah the escort would be cool, but it's not the right shape. I'm thinking of trading mine for a V1 and setting that up, altho that guy did a sick job

Originally Posted by drumbum624

And Rickna that WOULD be great but unfortunately I cant. My best bet is to get one of my dumb friends to buy the x50 from me for close to what i paid then buy a Valentine. I know there are millions of reviews, but what do you think of your detector?

I've been using V1's for over 10 years, I only got nailed once (forgot to turn it on). Alot of other detectors compare themselves to the V1, why? Because it's the one to beat.