Radar detector hardwire option...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2012 ML350 Bluetec
Radar detector hardwire option...
You can tap into the baby blue/baby grey wire that powers the light switch as a power source that is only active when the ignition is turned
You can verfy this by pulling the plug from the light switch and testing it that way. The switch wires can be accessed by pulling the left drivers side panel.
Make sure to use a 22 gauge tap (a 18g tap is seen and wasn't working)
After driving with this setup, the radar detector turns on only when the headlamps are on either manually or on automatically. It will turn off either when the headlamps are off on auto or in the other headlight switch settings. This was quite unexpectant, because the wire stayed on with the ignition and off when the ignition was off, but started to do this when the headlight switch plug was reconnected. After looking around for a switched source, none in the fuse box or none close to headlamp switch, I took it to a neighboring car stereo store where they continued the hardwire to the cigarette lighter. I'm sure one could tap into the homelink power cord above but I didn't want to take that apart. Tried with a trim tool but didn't come off easily so didn't want to risk it.
You can verfy this by pulling the plug from the light switch and testing it that way. The switch wires can be accessed by pulling the left drivers side panel.
Make sure to use a 22 gauge tap (a 18g tap is seen and wasn't working)
After driving with this setup, the radar detector turns on only when the headlamps are on either manually or on automatically. It will turn off either when the headlamps are off on auto or in the other headlight switch settings. This was quite unexpectant, because the wire stayed on with the ignition and off when the ignition was off, but started to do this when the headlight switch plug was reconnected. After looking around for a switched source, none in the fuse box or none close to headlamp switch, I took it to a neighboring car stereo store where they continued the hardwire to the cigarette lighter. I'm sure one could tap into the homelink power cord above but I didn't want to take that apart. Tried with a trim tool but didn't come off easily so didn't want to risk it.
Last edited by wonsuk_utmb; Aug 10, 2012 at 07:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2012 ML350 Bluetec
You can tap into the baby blue/baby grey wire that powers the light switch as a power source that is only active when the ignition is turned
You can verfy this by pulling the plug from the light switch and testing it that way. The switch wires can be accessed by pulling the left drivers side panel.
Make sure to use a 22 gauge tap (a 18g tap is seen and wasn't working)
You can verfy this by pulling the plug from the light switch and testing it that way. The switch wires can be accessed by pulling the left drivers side panel.
Make sure to use a 22 gauge tap (a 18g tap is seen and wasn't working)
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
2009 MB ML320 CDI
On our 09 ML I found spare key on (Eng. run) port in the fuse box under bonnet, it is a half connector the other half would clip on if used OE. Pluged a blade fuse into this and a covered female spade connector on to other leg of fuse, ran a double coated wire back through firewall all nicely hidden under other looms.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2012 ML350 Bluetec
On our 09 ML I found spare key on (Eng. run) port in the fuse box under bonnet, it is a half connector the other half would clip on if used OE. Pluged a blade fuse into this and a covered female spade connector on to other leg of fuse, ran a double coated wire back through firewall all nicely hidden under other looms.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
2009 MB ML320 CDI
Our steering wheel is on the other side!!! Poked the wire through with the bonnet (Hood LOL) catch cable.
Be careful tapping wires to + from from switchs etc. as they can be signal wires to the various moduals, like happened above.
Be careful tapping wires to + from from switchs etc. as they can be signal wires to the various moduals, like happened above.
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: St Pete Beach FL
2013 ML 350
Just did mine, the easiest i could find os the glove box light. Switched, and only 4-5 screws to get to it. Wire can then go right up A-pillar and under top liner. Easy job, maybe 30 mins or less one I decided to go the glove box -- al fuses on the fusebox (dash) were hots.....
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Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 65
From: Georgia
2016 GLE350 4MATIC
Just did mine, the easiest i could find os the glove box light. Switched, and only 4-5 screws to get to it. Wire can then go right up A-pillar and under top liner. Easy job, maybe 30 mins or less one I decided to go the glove box -- al fuses on the fusebox (dash) were hots.....
Last edited by gearFX; Mar 10, 2021 at 08:40 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Ford mustang
<!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->A very good solution for the placement of the lights. It's a shame that running the wires takes so much time. Led Daytime Running Light 2x6w led Lamp DFP 2109 was my choice. But I didn't run the wiring myself. I let a friend of mine do it. He is an electrician, and I consult him about my electrical needs. The Vont smart light bulbs my friend suggested were perfect for my house. I can only judge the wiring under the hood of my car visually. But turning on the daytime running lights in my car is done with a separate button on the dashboard.
Last edited by YoleanDioz; Jun 6, 2022 at 06:36 AM.
