mbfoup

I am about to get my 2011 E550 delivered and I was wondering if anyone had previously installed the Passport 9500ix on it using power from the central mirror? In my previous car one could be build a cable (looks like a phone cable to get the 12v power to the device), avoiding those long cables to the cigarette lighter.
Thanks.

Johnny Mo

Pulled this from my previous thread on V-1 Install

Okay - so just got done with the install...pretty pleased with the exception of a cracked side dashboard panel retention clip...still holds, but it will bother me and I will have to replace it...can't see it but I know it is there.

Using the standard straight cord that came with the V-1...I think it was about 6 ft...and black to match the headliner/interior.

Gently pull off the MBrace housing:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Carefully thread the wire through leaving about 4-5 inches of slack to the driver's side of the rearview mirror.

Gently begin tucking the wire in between the headliner and the windshield until you get to the corner where it meets the A-Pillar.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yGiTB1rFvQHFyzywJwb7eYxXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=d irectlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

You then need to get the wire thru the corner and down along the a pillar...it is tough but take your time and don't pull the wire too hard or you'll break it...also need to be careful of the airbag tucked up in there.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0xUXN-9pDsIvImHREvsJnYxXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=directl ink


You'll need to remove the side dashboard panel GENTLY - the clips break very EASILY I SAID GENTLY...- NOTE to SELF order new side dash panel....


http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DwLChHGpmgNAI7BfYixHnIxXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=d irectlink

Once you get past this step you are home free...get some electrical tape to cover the sharp edge of the metal dashboard frame (note BLUE electrical tape)...You need to thread the wire thru a hole just behind this and slightly close the glove box door to get it thru...

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/34tKzOlAthXxdwib8NUBJoxXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=d irectlink

Connect your V-1 and plug in to socket...connect at the other end, replace all panels and adjust all weather stripping and you are ready to roll with some radar/laser protection in place.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ufxfudJklaB87nW8RSlvSoxXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=d irectlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mc8ReZJTDyAWvM4sQyehhIxXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=d irectlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4Nb1GPCgjdGfwCg4mvkefYxXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=d irectlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qBFdyeIWqT3kE2sIbYosU4xXlzhhdTHcU4cohE2PeBk?feat=d irectlink

Good luck boys and girls...hope this helps.

mbfoup

Thanks. Actually I was looking for a better way (like in my previous car) which is to get the 12V supply from the mirror assembly. This may require some soldering but since there is permanent power coming to the assembly then it is just a matter of finding the +12V/0V and branching off there.

Perhaps someone else did that before? Thanks.

TomFromCT

I installed an 8500 pretty much per Johnny's instructions, taking power from the power outlet in the glove compartment. The only issue I had was that there was not enough slack in the wires running to the power plug to pull them out to work with them. I pushed the power outlet back into the glove compartment and that gave me enough room to access the wires and make the connections. I then pushed the outlet back into place and had a nice finished install.
I have the Driver Assist Pkg. and thought I might have to disable the K Band, but that wasn't the case. I do get some falsing if I pull up right behind a pick up truck or something else with a strong reflective surface, but otherwise, no more falsing then with my E350 without the Driver Assist Pkg.
FYI, the brown wire is the ground and the other wire, pink I think, is +12V.
You will love your E550.

mbfoup

Ok, I will look at that too, if soldering is not required might be a good trade off. Thanks.

mbfoup

Hi Johnny,

"You'll need to remove the side dashboard panel..": so this is the only panel (beside the visor cover panel) that needs to be removed (the pillar one that houses the air bag) does not need removal? Is that panel a single piece (with clips molded into it) or are clips separate parts? My experience removing dashboard panels is that usually they require little effort (gently as you said) but usually also expects to be removed in a specific direction. Can you precise the direction it should be pulled away (straight, with upward gesture, etc)?

Thanks.

TomFromCT

The panel that covers the right side of the dashboard can be seen when the passenger door is open. There are five clips in total. There are three towards the rear of the panel that pry straight out. One each top, middle and bottom. I used a screwdriver with gentle pressure to get these three loose. There are two "hook" type clips at the front of the panel. Once the three rear clips are loose, you slowly and gently rotate the panel as if opening a door, pulling the rear end outwards and letting the front end slowly comes loose as the front "hooks" release.
This sounds more complicated than it is. Once you get it off, you will see how easy it is.
Once I got the power to the wires, I ran the wire up the A pillar and the along the top of the windshield to the radar detector that I mounted just under the rear view mirror. I did not have to remove any panels near the rear view mirror.

Johnny Mo

The A- Pillar trim doesn't need to be removed...there is a thin rubber gasket that seals it all up - you can just tuck the wire in behind that a little at a time. TomfromCT describes the dash panel removal very well - I was just impatient and didn't think that the hooks were any different than what was on my GL - silly me - straight hooks on the GL and curved hooks in the E left me with 1 mangled hook and 1 dismembered hook.