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2008 MBZ SL550, 2016 Audi S5, 2013 BMW M5, 2012 Porsche 991
Mercedes R230 Radar install with 12v power from mirror console
I installed my Escort 9500ix in my 2008 SL550 today using BlendMount BBE-2000-R and RadarMount RJ-11 mirror wire tap because I wanted a clean install with a sturdy mount. BlendMount does not sell a specific kit for Mercedes, so I used the BBE-2000R with 2 extra 3/8" Body Links (BM-SP-0001) which I purchased directly from BlendMount.
I removed the overhead console housing (door and interior light housing) following the instructions attached below. It is pretty easy using a trim removal tool, if you start on either side of the housing towards the windscreen. Once you remove the housing, you will notice 4 wiring looms attached to the overhead console. You will also notice a 4 wire wiring loom that is attached to the SOS button. You want to tap into this loom. I removed the drivers side sun-visor to make it easy to feed the mirror tap wire to the wiring loom location. The Blue/Gray wire is switched 12V, and the Brown wire is ground. Once you connect the wires, test your connections. Now re-attach the overhead console housing.
To assemble the BlendMount kit, you want to first remove the lower radar mount from the kit. Now attach the 2 extra links to the bottom of the kit using screws provided. Remove the plastic spacers from the clamp. Carefully attach the clamp around the mirror post above the mirror. DO NOT over tighten the clamp. It has to be snug but you could crack the plastic housing around the mirror post if you tighten the clamp too much. Once everything is assembled, adjust the radar mount so you have access to the power and volume buttons above the detector.
The radar turns on when the ignition is turned on, and turns off when the ignition is turned off and the doors open. It will take about 30 mins to install once you know which wires to tap into.
BlendMount Clamp above mirror BlendMount BBE-2000R with 2 extra links BM-SP-0001 Escort 9500IX installed and powered
The only point I have is it will blank out the LED ambient downlight in the centre of the mirror base, does it also have any affect on the microphones on the base of the mirror?
it’s a pretty common Installation here in the United States and several companies actually make the mounts and special wire tap kits. I just haven’t seen a post for the R231 yet.
I dropped the mirror cover as noted above in my '07, SL550 and had no problems finding the blue/gray and the brown wires going to the SOS button, One problem I experienced though is that the detector works in my garage and when I back out, it shuts off. I figured out that it is going off because the power must drop once the headlights go off. I checked the other two wires, but they are not "hot". If anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears. Presently I have it connected to the Blue/Gray wire and have to manually turn on the headlights to turn on the detector-PITA! TIA!
I dropped the mirror cover as noted above in my '07, SL550 and had no problems finding the blue/gray and the brown wires going to the SOS button, One problem I experienced though is that the detector works in my garage and when I back out, it shuts off. I figured out that it is going off because the power must drop once the headlights go off. I checked the other two wires, but they are not "hot". If anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears. Presently I have it connected to the Blue/Gray wire and have to manually turn on the headlights to turn on the detector-PITA! TIA!
I have the exact same problem as you. The dash cam is only powered on when the SOS light is also turned on (which happens when it is dark). I've attached the wiring diagram here, I can't remember if there are two different blue-gray wires as shown on this diagram. Managed to figure out that 15R comes on when ignition/acc is on, and the R is mb's way of indicating that this circuit is energized when key is in those positions.
The diagram says D1 inside of N70 is the one we want to tap (blue gray)
D10 (brown black) or D11 (brown) can both be used as ground.
I'm not sure why this blue-gray D1 doesn't stay on when the headlights are off (SOS light unlit). Did you manage to figure it out? Thanks!
I want to do this with a dashcam, radars illegal in my state. That power source is a 12v? I'd need something to convert it to 5v that the dash cam is running off of then?
I want to do this with a dashcam, radars illegal in my state. That power source is a 12v? I'd need something to convert it to 5v that the dash cam is running off of then?
yes it is 12v. My dash cam comes with a converter for 12 to 5v.
I want to do this with a dashcam, radars illegal in my state. That power source is a 12v? I'd need something to convert it to 5v that the dash cam is running off of then?
I would think that all units meant for a car would either already be 12VDC or would have the transformer built into the power cord.
I would think that all units meant for a car would either already be 12VDC or would have the transformer built into the power cord.
They're all 5 volts unit, i haven't seen a 12V one, they usually come with a cigarette lighter plug with a transformer that converts it to 5v, or if you want to tap into the fuse box you have to use a kit to transform it back into 5V. Something like this
I'm not sure what will happen to the dashcam if you hook it directly to a 12V source, but i don't think it'll like it.
Interesting. Transformer seems kind of large for something that draws so little.
I hardwired in an Escort Max 360. No transformer. I then added the Escort DashCam to the unit at the windshield. Their dashcam utilizes the detector wiring and feeds it through the camera to the detector. So, in the case of Escort, which I’m neither recommending or criticizing, the unit is 12VDC.
Not sure why anyone would make something other than 12 volt and not supply a small transformer with it.
I have the exact same problem as you. The dash cam is only powered on when the SOS light is also turned on (which happens when it is dark). I've attached the wiring diagram here, I can't remember if there are two different blue-gray wires as shown on this diagram. Managed to figure out that 15R comes on when ignition/acc is on, and the R is mb's way of indicating that this circuit is energized when key is in those positions.
The diagram says D1 inside of N70 is the one we want to tap (blue gray)
D10 (brown black) or D11 (brown) can both be used as ground.
I'm not sure why this blue-gray D1 doesn't stay on when the headlights are off (SOS light unlit). Did you manage to figure it out? Thanks!
No, unfortunately my mechanic even spent an hour on trying to determine the if there was a constant hot in the SOS button area and he couldn't find one.
11-20-2018, 12:58 AM
