I picked up a V1 yesterday and want to hardwire it to the overhead console. I searched for a while looking for old threads, but I only saw stuff for the lighter hardwire. Can anyone tell me which wire in the overhead console I need to tap into?

 

no takers, eh? I guess I need to just go buy a voltmeter and figure it out. I searched again, and (again) all of the hardwire threads I saw were about tapping into the lighter circuit.

 

I had posted a thread a while ago, but I guess it's no longer available. Anyway, here are some pics.





As you can see, on the left side of the console the blue/gray thin wire is hot only with ignition on. I too, spent a couple of hours with a voltmeter to find it. Hope this helps

 

Thanks - those are the pics I remember. Took me about 10 minutes.

 

How could i do this in a 99 clk?

 

is this the same way for the 2004 G55? and where do you put the ground? thanx

 

500club,

Do you know it is the same as 06 CLS?

Thanks in advance,
hlkc

 

Is there any place to tap in in a CLK 500 Cab?

 

How does the power wire exit the overhead console? Also, what is that blue splice clamp called with the spade clip?

 

If things are totally different on the other overhead consoles, you should just get a voltmeter from an electronics shop and test the connections in your overhead to see which ones are live with the ignition.

There's nothing fancy on the wire on mine - I just ran it out through the gap at the edge of the overhead console assembly:

 

very nice and very stealthy i like!

 

Frisco,

Given where your V1 is mounted in the picture, are you limiting the rear sensor? It looks so high on the windshield that the curvature of the roof would limit the signal exposure to the rear...

 

Also, where is the ground attached? Thanks.

 

As far as I can tell, it isn't a problem as long as the angle is right. I grounded it to a frame mount screw that I saw right in the same place that I connected the hot wire.

 

ANYONE have a tip on how to pull down the overhead console for a V1 hardwire? I tried to pry it with my finger tips on both sides but it would hardly budge...don't want to mess up the liner or plastic console. Thanks.

 

I just used a interior trim removal tool that I picked up at my local auto shop - it'll pop right out.

 

Frisco,

Thanks again for the info. Did you shorten the wire for the connection from the direct wire hookup to the unit. The 2 wires that come with the unit are like 8 feet long for the straight wire and 4 for the coiled wire. If you try to use either of them, that is a lot of stuffing. I called V1 and they do not offer other lengths, but suggested I cut one and reattached a connector.

 

I actually didn't shorten it, although I'm going to redo it soon and cut the wire to length. I just wrapped up the extra wire and jammed it in a free space off to the side, but it has started losing power occasionally and I think it's because of the tight fit. Lately I can touch the overhead console and get it to turn on and off, and I think it's because all that extra wire put enough pressure on the connector to break the connection at some point.

 

Thanks again for the scoop. I am going to look for a short black phone wire in best buy or radio shack, etc. It is the same wire. if i can't find one, i will find a phone person to splice a new connection on a cut piece...

 

I opened the overhead console last night and looked at it. I was surprised to see how delicate everything was including the console framework(light to say the least) and the extremely small gauge wiring used. I am concerned about tapping into that wire with the clumsy splice clip provided. I think that connection could eventually provide problems due to the fragility of that wire. But it's worth taking a chance and if it parts, just re-solder the wire. Also, there were no nice steel connections for the ground, just brass screws and it's not clear how good a ground they provide. So either of these could lead to your intermittent power problem as well.

 

Frisco, can you please take a picture of where you hooked up the ground wire to? I tried every screw and still not getting any power.

TIA,

Jimmy

 

what's a v1.

 

v1 = valentine 1 radar detector

I'd be happy to take some more pics, but I'll have to do it over the weekend

 

Thanks Frisco.

 

Sorry, I didn't get to taking that picture over the weekend. I grounded mine to a screw on the right/passenger side of the opening for the overhead console; pull out the console and look up inside the opening and you'll see a single screw that is tapped into one of the structural pieces for the roof. My problem with power cutting out is pretty simple - I just tried to tap into a wire that's live only when the car is on (one of the wires for the garage opener buttons), but it's not big enough and isn't getting good contact. I'm just going to tap into one of the other larger gauge wires and will post pics when I do.