Here is a relatively simple hardwire of a Valentine 1 radar detector into my 2007 XK Convertible. This same exact procedure should work for an Escort as well, since they are powered on with the same wires. You'll need a telephone cable, the same type that you get if you buy a telephone, modem, computer, fax machine, etc. Cut off about 12"-14" from one end (keep the plug). The individual wires inside the silver or black telephone cable (red, green, black, yellow if you have 4, or red and green if you have 2) run parallel, like this: ||||

Take an X-Acto knife and make a parallel cut along the length of the broad side of the end of the cable without the plug. You're trying to expose the wires inside, not cut them again. Peel the insulation back until you have the individual wires out. You are looking for the RED and GREEN wires.

Drop the overhead console with a good tug. It should come right off. Then, fish the cut telephone cable from the windshield area into the overhead console area. You'll have to poke around a bit - there's a lot of padding and other stuff in there!

Now you're ready to make the big connection. Find the "natural" color connector with the bundle of wires that goes into the console.



Tap the Black wire in position #1 with Red telephone wire (Ground) and the Red/Green wire in position #9 with the Green telephone wire (12V power).




That's it! If you've done it correctly, when you plug your radar detector in, it should power up.

 

Thanks a ton I just decided to search for this today and boom here it is.

Also curious as to how you like the Valentine, I was torn between that and the new Escort.

any feedback so far?

 

Glad the pictorial install was helpful - that's why I took the time to document it, since I figured there would be others who would want to do the same thing as I did.

I used to use an Escort 8500 X50, and got the V1 about 3 years ago, and am super super happy with it. I make the drive from LA to Las Vegas, Palm Springs or San Diego several times a year and the thing is invaluable. As the advertisements say, the arrows make all the difference in the world.

 

Just ordered the hardwire kit from Valentine and it should be here in a few days. I've always done this similar install on my previous cars without much trouble but I'm having a hard time finding information after searching online for my 2011 XKR Coupe on which wires to tap into properly. Can someone please advise. Also, does the overhead console pull down just like this 07 XK Convertible? Don't want to do any damage by pulling too hard in case there are some release clips.

Thanks.

 

Talked to the dealership tech yesterday about pulling the console down and he said just to simply pull firmly down (front first and reinstall with rear in first). I used a plastic card to get it started. Pretty easy. Toughest part was finding a ground.....I ended up clipping the ground wire to the metal plate inside. Tapped into the red/white wire and it worked like a charm. Easiest way to pull wire through to the detector is to pull the trim from windshield for a little space while simply pulling wire through. Plenty of room up there to tuck away the extra wires/fuse etc.

 

Update: The detector would mysteriously turn on and off. Come to find out it turns off and on with the headlights so the red/white wire is not the one to use. Red/Green wire from original post doesn't work either because it constantly stays on (I want a switchable 12v that turns off when the car turns off). Dealership said to use the black/white but I get no power at all. I'll keep trying. Oh well.

 

Update: The red/white does actually work....it ends up turning off after a few minutes. Also, the dropped connection was due to the ground wire not being properly grounded. All works well now.

 

I just used an add-a-fuse:



I did have to run the wire down the "A" pillar.

 

What position in the connector was the red/white wire? If you switch on aux power does it supply 12V on that wire?

 

I don't remember which position but it's pretty easy to see which wire it is. The power comes on as soon as you open the door....assume this would be the same for aux power.

 

I get 12V power from the Red/Green wire but can't seem to get any juice from the Red/White wire with the ignition in aux power.

 

The Red/White wire only has power to it when the side marker lights are on. I just did this install yesterday and made that very mistake. It worked fine in the garage but as soon as I pulled out in to the sunlight, the V1 shut off. When I backed in to the garage, it turned back on lol. The OP's instructions are correct except for one thing - black is ground, not 12V.

The correct wiring is Red/Green (switched 12V), Black (Ground). If you don't have a meter it will be very easy to mistake because a standard phone cable is wired straight through so, depending upon which end you use, the green/red wires will be reversed.

The Red/Green wire doesn’t switch on/off with the ignition - it takes a couple of minutes for it to shut off after you turn off the car. My BMW was the same way.

As soon as you open the door or hit the unlock button, the V1 will turn back on. It’s pretty nice because you don’t have to listen to it go through the boot up cycle every time you turn on your car – it’s already done before you get in.

 

Apologies to the OP - You did say that Black was ground, I just read the post incorrectly. Sorry about that

 

Thanks. I found that the White/Black wire switches on/off with the ignition.What happens once you get in the car and switch on the ignition. Does it interrupt and then cycle power to the V1 or does the V1 remain on and unaffected?

 

I wonder if some year/models are little a different - I couldn't get a reading on the white/black wire.

But to answer your question, no, it doesn't cycle again once you hit the start button. It did on my BMW and to be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure about this one until you asked so, I went out and checked it to make sure. I turns on when you hit the unlock button or open the door and that's it.

 

ShadyJC - I followed your excellent post and pictures. Made my own power cord using left over phone line too - THANK YOU for taking the time to post this all up!!

Everything worked as posted with one exception. In my case the RED V1 phone wire was power so I connected to RED/GREEN of car (not black) and GREEN V1 phone wire was ground so I connected to BLACK of car (not red/green) which is the opposite of how it worked out for you.

I am posting this not to be critical but in case others follow this post. Be sure of your V1 phone wire polarity before beginning to save yourself headaches.

Bob

 

I am planning on doing the same thing but am concerned about the guillotine connectors. I haven't used them before and don't want to risk damaging the existing wires. Any particular brand that you recommend for these? Any other tips?

 

thanks for the post. Going to hardwire my Escort this weekend

 

Used the knowledge dropped in this post to grab power for a newly installed dash cam (Mini 0806). I also popped the sides of the mirror cover to hide the power line running to the camera (note: I purchased a 'hard wire kit' vs. making my own from telephone wire). Grabbed the Tap Splice connectors (18-22 gauge) at Ace Hardware and they worked flawlessly. Kudos to ShadyJC for showing the way on this one.

 

This is an incredibly helpful thread.
However, I have not been able to pull down the console from my '03 XK convertible.
It feels like pulling any harder will break something...
Any tips/tricks folks can share? Are there tabs that need to be pushed in or something?