radar detector

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=7600
Printed Date: July 22, 2025 at 2:58 AM

Topic: radar detector

Posted By: msf145
Subject: radar detector
Date Posted: January 03, 2003 at 2:00 PM

i am trying to hard wire my radar detector into my ignition wire. so when i turn the car on the radar dector comes on. i dont want tomess up. could anyone tell me how to do this. do i need a relay or anything. also whats the worse that could go wonrg if i mess up.

Replies:

Posted By: brianh
Date Posted: January 03, 2003 at 2:22 PM

All you need to do is to find the ignition wire in your vehicle. Or you can plug somthing up in the 12 volt outlet and start the car. Did it come on? If it did then the 12 volt outlet is switched already. Just tie the wires from you radar detector into the wires on the back of your 12 volt outlet. If it comes on with the ignition off your outlet is not switched. hook the red wire to the ignition wire in your vehicle and run the other wire straight to ground. Dont forget toi fuse the 12 volt wire with the same size fuse that was in the detectors 12 volt plug. That should fix you up. Brian

Posted By: the12volt
Date Posted: January 03, 2003 at 2:32 PM

If you have a Whistler radar detector, there is a White wire and a Red wire in the factory power cable. The White is positive and the Red is ground. Before you make any connections, use your meter to verify the correct polarity of each lead in your radar detector's power harness and the leads you tie into in your vehicle.

Posted By: msf145
Date Posted: January 04, 2003 at 10:56 AM

thank you for your help. one more question though. do i splice into the ignition wire at the end of my sterring column? it jsut seems hard to get at. i know thats a dumb question but im knew at this.

thanx alot.

Posted By: brianh
Date Posted: January 04, 2003 at 1:01 PM

There is probably a connector on the ignition wires that will unplug to let you get at it better. Brian

Posted By: msf145
Date Posted: January 04, 2003 at 4:18 PM

thanx. i will try that.

Posted By: KBToys
Date Posted: January 06, 2003 at 6:20 AM

If you don't want to splice you could buy those add a fuse holder that has a wire coming out. Most auto stores carry this.

Posted By: msf145
Date Posted: January 06, 2003 at 7:57 AM

are those called fuse taps?