V1 install
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
V1 install
Hey all, just wanted to post some pics on hard wiring a V1 or any other radar detector for that matter. By reading posts, I learned to use power to the cigarette lighter for switched 12v. However, I couldn't figure out how to proceed from there. Well, here goes. Without starting the car, turn the key two spots so you can shift into reverse. Open the ashtray and pull up on the front edge of the trim piece that surround the gear selector. Shifting into N or R will give you more room to play with. Then, with the ashtray door open slightly, pull up on the bottom edge of the ashtray housing to undo two plastic retainers. I've popped mine out 6 times just by pulling up on the thing and nothing broke. The housing then slides out and exposes the wires to the cigarette lighter. The red and white striped one is switched 12v. I didn't want to cut anything, so I got some wire taps from Radioshack to splice in. You can push the wire from the detector into the headliner from the rear view mirror assembly all the way around to under the dash and it's completely hidden. I used the side, not the tip, of a straight slot screwdriver to push the wire in. Under the dash on the driver's side, the front of the trim piece is held in with 3 TX20 screws. Undo them and you'll have a great place to mount the power module for the detector and the hidden display. Run your display and red wires from behind the ashtray into the area under the dash and you're just about done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
Amazing.. Thanks for taking the time to show me (all of us) that.
I took that apart a few times trying to hook up an XMRadio but was unable to figure out which was the power. I even bought the wire taps and everything.
Thanks again.
I took that apart a few times trying to hook up an XMRadio but was unable to figure out which was the power. I even bought the wire taps and everything.
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
Glad to help. I just noticed in the second picture that I have the ground wire in the middle of the shot. The screw worked, but I ended up not wanting to place the module behind the ashtray. Using the screw under the dash on the left worked a lot better for me.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
I just mounted the detector to my windshield with the provided suction cups. The three inches of cord between the unit and the plastic surround for the overhead lighting console is all you see. It's important to get the detector as high up as possible. It gives it an extra edge in peering over the next hill.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
You want to mount it high so you can "peek" over the next hill when someone else is getting hit. The higher the detector, the better you're range is with radar. If you're talking about laser, it doesn't matter so much. The beam is much more narrow. That said, I've had two helpful laser warnings in 3 years where I was able to slow down (once they got the guy in front of me). It was the exact same V1 mounted in the exact same spot in my old 540.
You can get installed systems that have their laser detector close to the front plate (if you've got one), but without some sort of jammer, you're only being informed of how they nabbed you. You're really sacrificing distance on radar detection (very common) for laser detection (at least where I am, not very common).
Who's right? I'll be driving through Chicago this weekend for the AMG Challenge at Road America. Hope your brother doesn't see me!
You can get installed systems that have their laser detector close to the front plate (if you've got one), but without some sort of jammer, you're only being informed of how they nabbed you. You're really sacrificing distance on radar detection (very common) for laser detection (at least where I am, not very common).
Who's right? I'll be driving through Chicago this weekend for the AMG Challenge at Road America. Hope your brother doesn't see me!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
08' S550,,,C63!
First of all thanks for installation pictures everything was perfect but I have one question how did you put the cable in the headline especially in the corner I am having trouble in the corner headliner it doesnt want to hide in!
any sugg?
any sugg?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
The only trouble I had was in the lower left corner where the windshield comes down to the dash. Up by the headliner, I was able to squeeze it in with the screwdriver. You could also try the side of a butter knife and press it up there. It should pop in. At the bottom left corner, my cord does stick out 2-3mm.
Oh yeah, I flew through Chicago on the way back. It was slow going up from all the traffic and construction. Favorite state on this trip - Wisconsin. Those guys left their radar guns on the whole time. 2 mile warnings easy, no matter what brand of detector you had. Runner up - Indiana. What cops?
Oh yeah, I flew through Chicago on the way back. It was slow going up from all the traffic and construction. Favorite state on this trip - Wisconsin. Those guys left their radar guns on the whole time. 2 mile warnings easy, no matter what brand of detector you had. Runner up - Indiana. What cops?
Last edited by xraymd; Jul 31, 2005 at 01:00 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
08' S550,,,C63!
We have the same problem the difference is that from the top headliner you know were is the left separation next to the door there is a black rubber which I hide it in there which came out perfeclty but the top corner is tough to hide. I am imagining you had it from the headliner all the way down close to the glass right I didnt do it that way. I will try to take picture to show you.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
Esport - when you say headliner, do you mean at the top of the windshield? I had no problems there. My "problem" is at the bottom. Except for me, nobody had noticed it. It's not visible outside the car as the cord is hidden by the black tint on the glass.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
Ah ha, now we're getting somewhere. I hope. You brought the wire down the door side of the A-pillar, and I came down the windshield side. In retrospect, I like your way better and it looks easier. Anyway, I didn't have any problem forcing the wire in up at the top where you're having difficulty. I'm not sure what's up. On my car, the backing of the headliner is real flexible at the corner and there seems to be plenty of room. As I move away from the corner about an inch and a half, the flex is gone but I was still able to jam the wire up in there pretty easily. My biggest problem was running between the A-pillar trim and the dash. If I had gone on the door side of the A-pillar like you, I would have been able to skip that section. Sorry I can't be of more help. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 540
From: Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2025 E53 Hybrid
Hiding the last section of the wire
If you remove the A-pillar trim you will be able to tuck that last section of the power cord behind the trim panel. It's not trivial to remove the trim, but, it is possible. Remove the seal around the door frame in the area of the A-pillar. Then you can work the trim piece free of the clips holding it in place.
Originally Posted by xraymd
Esport - when you say headliner, do you mean at the top of the windshield? I had no problems there. My "problem" is at the bottom. Except for me, nobody had noticed it. It's not visible outside the car as the cord is hidden by the black tint on the glass.
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
w211 E55
First off great post and pics,
I just ordered my V1 and am planning on doing the hardwire myself after reading this post. But two questions does "switched" mean that the detector turns off and on with the ignition? and I run an aftermarket nav that draws power from the cigarette lighter will there be a power draw issue?
Thanks guys
I just ordered my V1 and am planning on doing the hardwire myself after reading this post. But two questions does "switched" mean that the detector turns off and on with the ignition? and I run an aftermarket nav that draws power from the cigarette lighter will there be a power draw issue?
Thanks guys
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Valentine 1
Great unit. I have one in my 05 CDI. It will save your butt, not on the highway, where you are on full alert if you are driving quickly, but on the stupid side streets that have 25 and 35 mph limits and Sheriff Bubba or the local guy is sitting there waiting to write you a ticket.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
STS,FGT,12C,P85D,M4
thanks for the write up... just did mine in about 45 minutes, I mounted the V1 on the right side of the rear view mirror, and ran the cable down the passenser side of the car to the cigaret lighter.... I just tapped the red (power) and brown (ground).....
