DIY: How to Hardwire a Valentine 1
Would anyone here be interested in a "how-to" on hardwiring a V1 (or any radar detector for that matter) so the wires are hidden? I did the install on Saturday night alone so I didn't take pictures. If there is interest in it I can take it down and redo the install taking pictures along the way.
DIY
For the purposes of this DIY, I'll be installing a Valentine 1. *Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage you cause to your vehicle attempting to follow these directions*
Items needed:
1) Radar detector
2) Hardwire Kit
3) Low Profile Fuse Tap. This MUST be a tap for low profile type fuses or it will not work. (This is the one I bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321057689413)
4) Tool kit
5) 10 amp and 15 amp low profile fuses.
Step 1: Place your radar detector at the top of the windshield where you want to mount it with the cable connected
Step 2: Once you have the radar lined up, remove the radar detector and begin to slide the cable into the small gap between the headliner and the windshield. Use a screwdriver with a cloth covering the tip to help if need be:
Step 3: Remove the A Pillar cover. You can find the instructions on the removal here on page 1,712 (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u877jw1v445217e/NEKHNPKRlg/CX-5 - Body and Accessories.pdf):
Step 4: With the cover removed, run the cable along the top of the column, making sure to not cross over the airbag (the rolled up white tube at the bottom of the column):
Step 5: Run the cable through the opening in the cable groupings at the bottom of the pillar:
Step 6: Run the cable down the side of the dash under the weather striping:
Step 7: Remove the cover to the fuse box and then pull the cable into the fuse box:
Step 8: Take a ratchet and slightly loosen the bolt located in the top left corner of the fuse box. Then take the black ground wire from the V1 hardwire kit and place it behind the bolt and re-tighten it:
Step 9: Take the small blue clamp included in the V1 hardwire kit and close and lock it onto the fuse tap bought from eBay or your local auto part store. Insert two fuses into the fuse tap, a 15 and 10 amp fuse:
Step 10: Snap the clamped fuse onto the connector at the end of the red cable on the hardwire unit:
Step 11: Per the cover to the fuse box, the 3rd spot on the right hand column of fuses is for a rear outlet that CX-5's don't have. This would be where the outlet for the rear seats would be. The good thing about this outlet is that it will power on and off with the car:
Step 12: Place the fuse tap into the empty 3rd spot with the fuses facing down:
Step 13: Connect the cable to the hardwire unit:
Step 14: Place the cables back into the fuse box and place the cover back on:
Step 15: Connect your radar and turn the car on. Verify it turns on and off with the ignition and enjoy!
Would anyone here be interested in a "how-to" on hardwiring a V1 (or any radar detector for that matter) so the wires are hidden? I did the install on Saturday night alone so I didn't take pictures. If there is interest in it I can take it down and redo the install taking pictures along the way.
DIY
For the purposes of this DIY, I'll be installing a Valentine 1. *Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage you cause to your vehicle attempting to follow these directions*
Items needed:
1) Radar detector
2) Hardwire Kit
3) Low Profile Fuse Tap. This MUST be a tap for low profile type fuses or it will not work. (This is the one I bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321057689413)
4) Tool kit
5) 10 amp and 15 amp low profile fuses.
Step 1: Place your radar detector at the top of the windshield where you want to mount it with the cable connected
Step 2: Once you have the radar lined up, remove the radar detector and begin to slide the cable into the small gap between the headliner and the windshield. Use a screwdriver with a cloth covering the tip to help if need be:
Step 3: Remove the A Pillar cover. You can find the instructions on the removal here on page 1,712 (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u877jw1v445217e/NEKHNPKRlg/CX-5 - Body and Accessories.pdf):
Step 4: With the cover removed, run the cable along the top of the column, making sure to not cross over the airbag (the rolled up white tube at the bottom of the column):
Step 5: Run the cable through the opening in the cable groupings at the bottom of the pillar:
Step 6: Run the cable down the side of the dash under the weather striping:
Step 7: Remove the cover to the fuse box and then pull the cable into the fuse box:
Step 8: Take a ratchet and slightly loosen the bolt located in the top left corner of the fuse box. Then take the black ground wire from the V1 hardwire kit and place it behind the bolt and re-tighten it:
Step 9: Take the small blue clamp included in the V1 hardwire kit and close and lock it onto the fuse tap bought from eBay or your local auto part store. Insert two fuses into the fuse tap, a 15 and 10 amp fuse:
Step 10: Snap the clamped fuse onto the connector at the end of the red cable on the hardwire unit:
Step 11: Per the cover to the fuse box, the 3rd spot on the right hand column of fuses is for a rear outlet that CX-5's don't have. This would be where the outlet for the rear seats would be. The good thing about this outlet is that it will power on and off with the car:
Step 12: Place the fuse tap into the empty 3rd spot with the fuses facing down:
Step 13: Connect the cable to the hardwire unit:
Step 14: Place the cables back into the fuse box and place the cover back on:
Step 15: Connect your radar and turn the car on. Verify it turns on and off with the ignition and enjoy!
Last edited:
(low profiles)
