Anyone direct wire a Radar Detector in E70

[wg8221]

Originally Posted by Denalio

Brian5,

Hardwiring a detector in the E70 is really quite simple. I just completed my STi-R install and the wiring was a breeze. If you use the T-taps you can draw power from the cig lighter. To access the lighter wire just remove the 3 screws on the passenger side footwell compartment below the glovebox (5 minutes tops) pull down the footwell cover. There is a carpeted panel that runs along the bottom of the console where the shifter is, remove the torx screw at the front of this panel up near the firewall end, gently pull this panel outward (it has two locking rivits holding it in place). Once you pop out the rivit fastners gently slide the panel towards the front to disengage two clips holding the rear of the panel (this takes about 5 minutes as well). Once this panel is removed you will see an exposed wire bundle coming from the cig lighter ( only one bundle from this side). Tap into the switched 12V wire with the T-Tap you can use the screw forward about 3 inches (screw is about 3 inches towards the firewall looks like a console mounting screw) of this for your ground. Really simple takes about 15 minutes to do. Running the wires into your headliner is simple as well. I use a credit card to tuck the wires into the headliner down the Pillar under the weatherstripping moulding and into the footwell area.

Thanks, had planned on tapping into the overhead console but this is much better and is relatively easy thanks to your post.