Pictures inside center light console E70, which wire is 12v?
 

Which wire is 12v switched on with ignition?

WTF?? You're asking for trouble if you're asking this question!! Definitely use a digital voltmeter or at the very least, a computer safe (SNAP-ON carries them) test light. BTW...what are you installing that needs a ign. source up above?

I'll look for a voltmeter. I was hoping someone had already hardwired. I want to hardwire a radar detector. I thought about hardwiring into the fuse box but that is a long way to run the wire and the fusebox is a PITA to get to, and when you get to it, to open all the way

please post pics of the correct config, I want to do the same.

When I installed my Escort on my E39 using BMWTIPS, green with white strips was power and brown was ground. But very well could be different.
http://www.bmwtips.com/

I was looking to do the same for a V1 install
 

Can you post a pic showing how you got the damn thing off without breaking the tabs? Thanks!

So if you go to www.bmwtips.com and look at the section Electronics/Cell number 5 is the topic "Installing a Valentine One Radar Detector" with pictures on the install for a e39. Not sure about e53 or e70

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...age=8&pp=22,if

This link may help explain how I got the cover off. There are a few green and white wires so this doesn't help. I need someone with a voltmeter to check a few of the wires. Let me know if you guys have any luck
Thanks

Ever figure out the right wire? I'm sure lots of people, myself included, would appreciate the guidance!

No I have not attempted the tap yet. I don't have a volt meter I was hoping someone here had one. It looks like there are on eor two easy places to ground up there. We just need someone here that has a voltmeter. It sounds like from the e90 board that its the green wire with white stripe which is preset but again I am hoping someone can confirm.

By the way I tried to direct wire into the fuse box with the ATO mini add a circuit and did not have luck. All the front fuses are on at all times and not just with the ignition. I tried multiple fuses and the radar detector instantly powered up with the ingnition off. The rear fuse box may have a switchable 12v however this really doesn't help for a front install.

Do you have the 3.0 or the 4.8? I've got the 3.0 and can't seem to locate the fusebox in the front. Was wondering if the 3.0 only has a rear fuse box. Anyone confirm?

Did you ever figure out which wire was the one to tap into? Any Ideas on "stealth install" on the e70. Radar detectors are illegal in Ontario, police use Spectre RDD so stealth is a must. I am looking at installing a Bel Sti.

As a follow-up - Anyone with a 3.0 E70 find a fuse box under the dash? I think we only have one, and that's in the luggage compartment, which is not what the manual says. Maybe mine is still on someone's workstation at the factory.;)

I have not found a solution yet. I was able to tap into the front fusebox (hidden behind the trim panel) but the radar detector would stay on all the time so I removed that. I would love to tap into the overhead console. I have a 4.8 with one fuse box rear, one front.

According to the doco http://www.xoutpost.com/pdf/e70/03a_E...0and%20Bus.pdf.. The front distribution box is on the passenger side uder the dash near the door ...you have to lower it to change a fuse .

Are you sure it stays powered on all the time? Normally the BMW fusebox will become active when you unlock the car, and stays active for about 10 minutes after you lock the car. It appears therefore if you are in the car with the door open that it's active even with the key out, however if you were to lock the car and watch it from the outside I'm sure you'd find it would shut off after 10 minutes or so.

I have not check this I just know I tried multiple fuses with a mini tap and was not able to find one that went on and off with the ignition.

What's the verdict? Did you ever get this hooked up?

Ok Gents I have completed the install of my Escort Solo S2 hard wire kit and I figured out which wire to use. When looking at the second picture which started this thread, the second terminal next to the red plug is where I got my power from. You will see that this plug has a fat Red w/ Blue, Fat brown, thin Green w/ white and a thin Brown w/ Red or Red w/ Brown. I used the thin red/brown wire and it has been working like a charm. For my ground I used one of the torx which holds the sunroof motor to the frame. This looks like it is plastic but the bolt does connect to the body/

Hope this helps

I this a switched 12v source? Meaning, when you turn the car off the detector powers off as well?

I did this in my E46 M3 and used a green w/ blue stripe as the source for switched power.

Cheers,
Keith

No this is a constant power. I prefer this because I hate having to turn the radar detector on when I have some short stops. Also I know that this was the case on my E53 and my E60 but I am not sure about the E70. The constant power only works for about 15 min before the car completely powers down and there is no constant power. I am testing this currently on my E70 to see if that is the case.

My solo S2 is battery powered and I got so used to just powering the Radar Detector down when I was leaving the car that it has become second nature but I will let everyone know what my findings on auto off when the car sits for a period of time.

Michael

Michael, can you please post some pics?
Would be great to see your set up!

Cheers,

Yep, that's what I thought - thanks

KEF

Here is one
 

I just installed my radar detector and after quite a bit of investigation I did find a wire in the center console. It turns on when you open the door, not when you turn the key, but close enough. If you look at the Start/Stop button's illumination, it makes that behavior. Been using it for a week know and I am happy with it. There is a ton of circuitry in that center console. I marked up the image in this thread to identify the wire. But, I would still verify this wire's behavior beforehand.

Bump, anyone else do this recently? I want to confirm I am using the correct wire.

Thanks.

I was also going to order these for the wire tap:

Wire Tap-In Squeeze Connectors (7-Pack) - RadioShack.com

Unless anyone has any better suggestions.

I've never trusted mechanical wire taps. I use a cheap wire stripper to expose 1/4" of the existing wire, wrap the stripped end of the new power wire around the bare spot a couple of times, and solder it.


Connection options, splicing wires and how to do it right, and WRONG!


Go to the section labeled "tap soldering" in the above link.

Thanks, but I am really not looking to solder anything.

Can anyone else chime in on the correct wire to use?

Anyone? V1 showed up today and I would like a little more feedback before I start tapping wires.