Radar Detector / Non-powered Mirror

[ucs308]

I know a lot of mirror mounted radar detectors are getting power from the auto-dimming mirror. But if I have just a standard mirror, where is the nearest source of power I could tap in to? Do I have to go all the way down to the fuse box?

I have a 2014 4Runner TE.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rigtec]

Hi ucs308,

What's wrong with the cigarette lighter; no wires to cut and EZ power connect/disconnect? (You could always route around the windshield using a 12V extension... )

 

[Mmikey]

Sorry I'm not more helpful with your radar detector, but if you're looking to avoid cops you should check out an app called Waze that let's you and other drivers mark cops/speed traps on a continously updated map. When you are getting close, it automatically notifies you to slow down. I've found it's been more useful than my radar detector. But it's only as good as the amount of people using it, so it works better in more populated areas. For me, it works well commuting between Salt Lake and Park City. When I was in LA/Vegas, it was even better.

 

[ucs308]

I am trying to keep the install as clean as possible. I was hoping there might be something in the headliner that had power I could use. Or close.

@ Mmikey Thanks for the tip. I travel a lot in areas that are not very well populated.. so Waze might not work so well for my purpose.

Hi ucs308,

What's wrong with the cigarette lighter; no wires to cut and EZ power connect/disconnect? (You could always route around the windshield using a 12V extension... )

 

[[email protected]]

Valentine 1 has the Savvy. It plugs into your ODB and also has a knob to mute under a certain MPH.

 

[Saker]

I know a lot of mirror mounted radar detectors are getting power from the auto-dimming mirror. But if I have just a standard mirror, where is the nearest source of power I could tap in to? Do I have to go all the way down to the fuse box?

I have a 2014 4Runner TE.

Thanks in advance.

[MENTION=117474]ucs308[/MENTION],

Are you certain there is no power harness running in the headliner for a powered mirror?

I don't know either way if there is or not, but there may be one....it would be worth taking a look if you want a clean install without running an extension in the headliner and down the "A" pillar to the fuse box.

 

[Gdmeadors]

I usually drive no more than 5-7 mph above the speed limit and have no need for radar. Years ago I was speeding and was pulled over at the same time as another vehicle. The patrolman asked me to slow it down and then let me go and gave a ticket to the guy who had radar in his car. Just saying.

 

[tigger]

I know a lot of mirror mounted radar detectors are getting power from the auto-dimming mirror. But if I have just a standard mirror, where is the nearest source of power I could tap in to? Do I have to go all the way down to the fuse box?

I have a 2014 4Runner TE.

Thanks in advance.

There is power in the overhead console for the lights and sunroof. There may be power for the mirror but Toyota doesn't seem to be very good about running harnesses that aren't needed.

 

[rigtec]

"...Are you certain there is no power harness running in the headliner for a powered mirror? I don't know either way if there is or not, but there may be one..."

That's a good point Saker, that 'Unused' "Auto-dimming mirror" function power supply line may be there. But the OP will need to be 'extra cautious' with this application due to the use of "Ground side switching" technology and "ECU circuit management". I know that ground-side switching is just as simple as 'Conventional scheme' types, but it's also just as easy to get the wires crossed up as well, and one mistake could be the cause of a catastrophic chain destruction phenomena e.g., "...I must have accidentally mistaken the "HOT" wire for the "NEG" one because when I reconnected the battery I heard a noise come from the "Upper Center Console" followed by flickering Instrument Cluster warning lights and then..."

"I hope no one here ever has this actually play out!"

Rgds!

 

[adio3x]

Do the tap a fuse, super easy and clean, I just hardwired my escort the other day, took me like 10 mins.

 

[Saker]

That's a good point Saker, that 'Unused' "Auto-dimming mirror" function power supply line may be there. But the OP will need to be 'extra cautious' with this application due to the use of "Ground side switching" technology and "ECU circuit management". I know that ground-side switching is just as simple as 'Conventional scheme' types, but it's also just as easy to get the wires crossed up as well, and one mistake could be the cause of a catastrophic chain destruction phenomena e.g., "...I must have accidentally mistaken the "HOT" wire for the "NEG" one because when I reconnected the battery I heard a noise come from the "Upper Center Console" followed by flickering Instrument Cluster warning lights and then..."

"I hope no one here ever has this actually play out!"

Rgds!

This is absolutely correct [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION].
I ran mine all the way to the fusebox under the dash like [MENTION=50186]adio3x[/MENTION] pointed out, but my radar detector is on the lower part of the windshied, routed wire forward the dash so my install was easy.

 

[kboxvegas]

The drivers side A arm cover is super easy to take off, and there is a path directly to the fuse box. I just hardwired my dash cam a couple weeks ago, getting the wires in place took all of 10 mins.

 

[Randyman...]

This is absolutely correct [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION].
I ran mine all the way to the fusebox under the dash like [MENTION=50186]adio3x[/MENTION] pointed out, but my radar detector is on the lower part of the windshied, routed wire forward the dash so my install was easy.

Agree with Saker - I prefer mine low on the dash. Run the wire into the defroster vent, down to the fuse box (with an add-a-circuit tap), and done! Paid for itself many times now

I also added a remote "Mute" switch by the Transfer Case Selector as reaching up to the radar itself is not very ergonomic, and the mute button is now an automatic reaction (don't even have to take my eyes off the road to smack it!):

 

[rigtec]

"...my radar detector is on the lower part of the windshied, routed wire forward the dash so my install was easy."

This is what I did...



I was so sure I had a photo of the "Coil-style, 12V supply line" as it runs from the 'Cobra'XRS 9690' (lower windshield), down to the Cigarette lighter/Accessory port near the 'Shifter'. It's hard to tell from this picture but the cobra is somewhat difficult to see (obscured) from outside of the truck because the dash has such a pitch towards the defrost vents and so; at least I'm not advertising!

Best!

 

[Doc_Fry]

I know a lot of mirror mounted radar detectors are getting power from the auto-dimming mirror. But if I have just a standard mirror, where is the nearest source of power I could tap in to? Do I have to go all the way down to the fuse box?

I have a 2014 4Runner TE.

Thanks in advance.

I ran a wore from the engine bay from my own circuit fuse/relay box seperate from the vehicles wiring. All my fuses are right there if I have an issue.

 

[rjfowler]

I usually drive no more than 5-7 mph above the speed limit and have no need for radar. Years ago I was speeding and was pulled over at the same time as another vehicle. The patrolman asked me to slow it down and then let me go and gave a ticket to the guy who had radar in his car. Just saying.

Cool story bro.

 

[rigtec]

Here's a couple more shots of my (typical) Ray-Det. dash set-up... pretty inconspicuous:



I have a small strip of Velcro attached to the 'Climate control' trim panel to keep the power cord "turns tight", neat, and well directed towards the power source (cigarette lighter) below:



Cheers

 

[jerseyrunner5]

Being that my truck is a lease I couldn't risk breaking anything. That being said, I took it down to one of the top guys in Miami and they charged me like $40, they wired it using a escort smart wire that I bought them. Not even really sure how it gets to the fuse box but if you look next to the usb/aux plug in you can see the mute button glowing green in the little cubby.

 

[ucs308]

[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] Agreed. That is very tidy.

I am going to look at wiring this up over the weekend. I have already installed an additional fuse box under the hood. I have wired a fridge and several USB ports, so I might just tap into one of these connections. Though I think the way I wired the fuse box all the items running off it are always on. Anyway. I'll take a look this weekend.

I have been looking for away to integrate the Escort mute switch in the button blanks in my center console. I how was hoping for some professionally made, but it looks like I will have to fab that myself.

Thanks for the all the help.

 

[ucs308]

Being that my truck is a lease I couldn't risk breaking anything. That being said, I took it down to one of the top guys in Miami and they charged me like $40, they wired it using a escort smart wire that I bought them. Not even really sure how it gets to the fuse box but if you look next to the usb/aux plug in you can see the mute button glowing green in the little cubby.

That is a clean install. Is the mute just laying in the cubby or is it mounted?

How do you like the Passport? I am considering upgrading from the 9500ix