12V switched needed for Radar Detector
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From: South Florida
2003 ML500
12V switched needed for Radar Detector
Has anyone with an ML (mine is 03,500) found a 12V Ingition switched source for hard wiring a radar detector - ideally under the drivers side dash? Currently I'm using the footwell light but that is permanent 12V - not ignition switched.
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GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Why not run it from the back of the cigar lighter? It uses nice spade lugs (i.e. easily available).
-s-
-s-
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
The center console comes out pretty easy... remove gearshift surround, then the wood trim (it pulls out). Remove the liner in the center console storage compartment (two screws I think) then there are just a few screws that hold the whole center console down. Then you can lift it at the back and slide it backwards. That should give you full access to the lighter.
The lighter does slide forward out of its mounting hole if you can release the clips behind it.
-s-
The lighter does slide forward out of its mounting hole if you can release the clips behind it.
-s-
Thread Starter
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From: South Florida
2003 ML500
Thanks Scorchie but taking the center console out is pretty complex if you've never done it before - I couldn’t even see how to remove the gearshift surround!
So I did some poking around with a test meter and found a much easier solution…. In the fuse box located in the passenger foot well you will find a “post” with a grey wire attached to it. This post is live when the ignition is on. I just added the radar detector +ve connection to this post using a ring terminal and the –ve is attached to the chassis. It was easy to thread the wire through to the driver’s side. I’m not sure if this post is “fused” or not so for safety you should insert an inline fuse in the +ve connection as close to the post as possible. I put the fuse holder inside the fuse box.
Works like a champ now. The radar detector comes on at ingition switch position 1.
So I did some poking around with a test meter and found a much easier solution…. In the fuse box located in the passenger foot well you will find a “post” with a grey wire attached to it. This post is live when the ignition is on. I just added the radar detector +ve connection to this post using a ring terminal and the –ve is attached to the chassis. It was easy to thread the wire through to the driver’s side. I’m not sure if this post is “fused” or not so for safety you should insert an inline fuse in the +ve connection as close to the post as possible. I put the fuse holder inside the fuse box.
Works like a champ now. The radar detector comes on at ingition switch position 1.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: South Florida
2003 ML500
Originally posted by topspeedtuning
Do you have a 12V input in the passenger seat?
Do you have a 12V input in the passenger seat?
