ok, I did some searching on the site trying to find out where people are tapping in for power and didn't get the info I was looking for so I had to resort to posting.

I've got an '01 CLK55 and have positioned my V1 jsut above the right side of the rear-view mirror. Nice and high and has rear visibility. I've found I can properly "hide" the power cable along the top sill, but am having difficulty figuring out how to get the A-pillar off to run the wire down to the dash.

Once I get the wire down to the dash I've read there is a fuse box that I can tap into but apparently I'm blind (admittedly I haven't looked too hard as I am still stuck trying to get the wire behind the A-pillar.

So, in summary: help!

 

This is just a cool link on stealthing your V1:

http://www.apexcone.com/Radar/RadarLove.html

Check out Goodspeedmotoring.com

http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/sub...cialty%20Tools

look at the "bone tool" - it's nylon so I bet you could safely shove the wire in a crevice with this...

shell
CLK55 13.7@ 107
http://members.aol.com/clk55amg2001

 

I wired my V1 in the same location. It was easy to use the fuse unit that came with the V1 to tap off the main red power wire in the light cluster. Of course this means there is power to the V1 except when the key is full over to start the car, so one has to remember to turn off the V1.

I have read here that there is red wire with a brown stripe going to that same light cluster that is hot when the key is in, but I have yet to check this out. A $10 Radio Shack voltage tester ought to provide the answer, however.

 

Well, I got it installed. I ended up taking the A-pillar cover off (which was interesting) then routing the wire down into the dash. I pulled the lower cover off the dash and ran the wire over to the center conslole. I used the fused connector provided and tapped into the cigarette lighter connection and have the connector behind the ashtray. If I decide later to use the remote display the connector is in place already.

I'll post pics later once I get a chance to take some.

 

How did you take A pillar cover off...etc, etc.
There IS a fusebox on the left side of the dash panel and only accessible with the left driver door open.

 

That's exactly how my Escort 8500 was wired by the MB dealership's tech sub.

I had it wired in my 2001 SL500 to the overhead cluster above the rear-view mirror, but the MB tech sub could not get it to work on the CLK.

...a dimming radar detector, - while entertaining, - is useless!

 

Getting the A-Pillar off was "interesting", I thought I had broken something due to the loud "POP" that the clips make when they release. Started at the B-pillar end of the cover, actually had to pop the top of the B-pillar cover off as it overlaps the A-pillar cover. A lite tug exposes the clip on the door-side, insert a flathead to release it. Then you can litely tug on the A-Pillar Cover and see the anchors that are holding it to the frame. I just pulled and they popped (was NOT a pleasant sound) but I'm sure if you take a closer look at it there is a way to release them.

I then ran the wire along the top of teh windshield, down the A-Pilar (tie-wrapped to existing wire) and down into the dash. I popped the left side fuse bax cover to access the wire that I had fed down. After tinkering with the fuses I opted to simply run the wire to the fused connector provided by Valentine. I pulled the lower dash cover and the vent cover and fed the wire (again, tie-wrapping to existing wires) along the underside of the dash to the center console. Having already removed the ashtray and tray (no NAV in my car) I fed a coat hanger into the center console and out the rear in oder to fish the wire through. Then I tapped into the cigarette lighter power with the fused connector and tested it prior to reassembling the car.

As with most adventures of this type, DISassembly was easier than REassembly. Hardest part was the A-pillar cover. Along the top portion (about where your head would smack it climbing out if you aren't carefull) there were two green anchors that slide into the cover. Best method I could put together was to start at the dash popping clips in one at a time as you work up (constantly pulling the weather-seal out from under the cover. When you get to the first green anchor, slide the head-end into the cover then line it up with the hole....push the entire cover against the frame until you hear it click into place. Hard to visualize unless you see what I'm talking about....but it is actually pretty intutive (gotta love them Germans)

Ok, this is an amazingly long post so I'm going to shut up now. Short version, if you have any questions feel free to drop me a note.

 

Karl:

"...a dimming radar detector, - while entertaining, - is useless!"

LOL...that's funny...