C230K Coupe Radar Detector installation
#1
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'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
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I just suction-cupped my radar detector to the windshield and ran a wire benath the trim down to the fuse panel on the left side of the dash. Now, I'm looking for an ignition-switched sourse of power - but all of the fuses test as having constant power to them. Does anyone know how to find a key-on-only power source to tap into? Thanks!!
#3
Not so fast with those power windows...
You can use the Smart key to autoclose the windows and sunroof from outside the car, hence the windows are hot. In fact all the fuseblock locations forward of the steering wheel are hot all the time.
The good news is...
Fuse location #6 or #7 in the REAR fuse block (left rear hatch panel) should be switchable (they are the only slots that are switchable in the sedan). You'll have to test them (run a positive wire along the outside of the car), then...
Suggest grounding your detector at the fuse panel you've already visited, then run the positive wire (only) along the lower door sills under the rear seat and into the trunk area. Use a credit card to push the single wire between the carpet and the sill (no need to remove the sills). Tedious, but not hard work.
Result: Detector will operate in key position 1 or 2, but not off.
The good news is...
Fuse location #6 or #7 in the REAR fuse block (left rear hatch panel) should be switchable (they are the only slots that are switchable in the sedan). You'll have to test them (run a positive wire along the outside of the car), then...
Suggest grounding your detector at the fuse panel you've already visited, then run the positive wire (only) along the lower door sills under the rear seat and into the trunk area. Use a credit card to push the single wire between the carpet and the sill (no need to remove the sills). Tedious, but not hard work.
Result: Detector will operate in key position 1 or 2, but not off.
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'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
MB-Bob,
I did it exactly as you describe and it looks great! I was able to hide the wire under trim and moldings all the way back.
Thanks - I'm new here today and I appreciate the help!
I did it exactly as you describe and it looks great! I was able to hide the wire under trim and moldings all the way back.
Thanks - I'm new here today and I appreciate the help!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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#6
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'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
Lynn - actually, I was lucky enough to run across one of MB-Bob's earlier posts once I found the "old" forum. It was still his advice that got me there and I'm very grateful!
Sorry to ask a repeat question - but maybe it's good to have this advice repeated on this "new" forum.
Sorry to ask a repeat question - but maybe it's good to have this advice repeated on this "new" forum.
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#8
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I did it.
Thanks guys....
I did it today. And the only switched fuse is #7 in the trunck of my coupe....
Thanks again.
I did it today. And the only switched fuse is #7 in the trunck of my coupe....
Thanks again.
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Last edited by MBSang; 03-08-2002 at 03:40 PM.
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Is there any way to fix suction cups, when they don't ... well .... suck
anymore?
Also have anyone tried one of these new Bel Express Series (936 et al) ? Are they much worse than the Bel 980?
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Also have anyone tried one of these new Bel Express Series (936 et al) ? Are they much worse than the Bel 980?
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Thanks again MB-BOB
Do you use/like the speech function?
The 980 is souuu expensive here, 500CAD retail (about 312USD), but I really like it.
Do you use/like the speech function?
The 980 is souuu expensive here, 500CAD retail (about 312USD), but I really like it.
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
MB-BOB, Flashman and others:
Q1: The Bel radar detectors have a fuse in the cig. lighter plug, from which the electric wire goes to the radar. If the radar is hardwired, you don't have that fuse, is that a problem?
Q2: How exactly can I attach my wire to the fuse#7 in the rear fuse-box?
Thanks a lot, I just got my Bel Vector 985 and would like to hardwire it this weekend.
Q1: The Bel radar detectors have a fuse in the cig. lighter plug, from which the electric wire goes to the radar. If the radar is hardwired, you don't have that fuse, is that a problem?
Q2: How exactly can I attach my wire to the fuse#7 in the rear fuse-box?
Thanks a lot, I just got my Bel Vector 985 and would like to hardwire it this weekend.
#12
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There is a piggy-tail type of socket or adapter for a fuse slot in pepboys. U can use normal car fuse in that socket. That's how I did it. It works fine so far. Good Luck!
ps. sorry about my English...
ps. sorry about my English...
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Originally posted by MBSang
There is a piggy-tail type of socket or adapter for a fuse slot in pepboys. U can use normal car fuse in that socket. That's how I did it. It works fine so far. Good Luck!
ps. sorry about my English...
There is a piggy-tail type of socket or adapter for a fuse slot in pepboys. U can use normal car fuse in that socket. That's how I did it. It works fine so far. Good Luck!
ps. sorry about my English...
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'll try to find this in Calgary.
Can you please give a more detailed description of this "device"
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Is there any soldering required?
Did you use the rear fuse-box, fuse #7 ?
THANKS!!!!
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
BOB, thanks for the detailed description, I'll go visit Radio Shack and/or Can.Tire this weekend. The weather sucks here anyways.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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White C230 Coupe, Leather, Evolution, Panorama, Heated seats, Bose, Factory Alarm
VoyagerDude...
The weather may SUCK..... but I like it cause I can still go SNOWBOARDING this weekend...
woohoo...
Anyways...
I want to see your car and see how all this is hooked up..
I think I will purchase a radar detector before the summer....
The weather may SUCK..... but I like it cause I can still go SNOWBOARDING this weekend...
woohoo...
Anyways...
I want to see your car and see how all this is hooked up..
I think I will purchase a radar detector before the summer....
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Originally posted by Yellow_Fly_Red
VoyagerDude...
The weather may SUCK..... but I like it cause I can still go SNOWBOARDING this weekend...
woohoo...
Anyways...
I want to see your car and see how all this is hooked up..
I think I will purchase a radar detector before the summer....
VoyagerDude...
The weather may SUCK..... but I like it cause I can still go SNOWBOARDING this weekend...
woohoo...
Anyways...
I want to see your car and see how all this is hooked up..
I think I will purchase a radar detector before the summer....
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
You're welcome to have a look. I got the new Bel Vector 985 from the States. (Ironically it's made in Canada
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Thanks MBSang, MB-BOB and others.
I just completed hardwiring the radar detector. I did like it was recommended and attached the negative wire to a bolt that holds the front-left fuse-box. And run a positive wire to the rear fusebox where I used an adaptor from Canadian Tire that has a fuse-like connector (that I plugged in in socket #7) and a wire for connecting the positive wire from the radar.
Interesting that this way I get 11.8V and from the cig.lighter it's around 13.5V.
Yellow_Fly_Red, you're welcome to have a look.
I just completed hardwiring the radar detector. I did like it was recommended and attached the negative wire to a bolt that holds the front-left fuse-box. And run a positive wire to the rear fusebox where I used an adaptor from Canadian Tire that has a fuse-like connector (that I plugged in in socket #7) and a wire for connecting the positive wire from the radar.
Interesting that this way I get 11.8V and from the cig.lighter it's around 13.5V.
Yellow_Fly_Red, you're welcome to have a look.