Mrclopec

**UPDATE**
For installed radar detectors with voltage sensors built into them (QI45, 8500ci, 9500ci etc...) If you have a Start/Stop car that turns itself on and off at stoplights, the momentary voltage dip when the car restarts itself will trigger a low voltage alarm. There isnt a way to turn this off in any of the detector's settings. I contacted Escort Radar and asked them about it. They referred me to a website that sells a 12V voltage stabilizer. You just wire it in line with the power and ground wires to the detector and it fixed the issue. This is what they are doing on all of their cars with Start/Stop systems.

Link to part: https://www.pololu.com/product/2577

Just finished installing my new radar detector. I prefer the installed detectors opposed to the ones that clip to the windshield as I feel they are a little cleaner. I had the same detector in my Audi TT and currently have the same one right now in my daily driver. Escort does not carry the QI45 anymore so I had to find one that was NOS on eBay. It has since been replaced with the Passport 8500ci but that model is 800 dollars and has GPS features in it that I just do not need. Picked up this one for 300. This detector can accommodate the laser shifters as well as an add-on but they are illegal in California. Installation took a few hours.

First step was to remove the bumper cover. Took all of about 10 minutes.



Next step was to measure the height of the sensor, the size of the opening on the bumper it would be sticking through, and do a bunch of simple math to make sure it would be centered. Here I just clamped it to the metal bumper frame while adjusting position. I then placed the bumper cover over it to make sure it was centered perfectly and did not need further adjustment. I placed green tape over the front of the sensor while I was putting the bumper cover on and off so I would not scratch it.





Once all of the measuring was done I used a punch, drilled my pilot holes and then attached the sensor to the car.



After the sensor was fixed to the car, I ran the wire horizontally along the metal bumper frame to the drivers headlight. I followed that wire along the underside of the headlight where there is an existing harness. It then paralleled that harness and ran up inside the driver fender and went up to the black box that houses the ECU and other fuses. I carefully ran the wire through the existing grommet with the main engine wiring harness and down into the cabin of the vehicle. No, opening that black box that houses the ECU and other fuses does not void your warranty. Opening the ECU itself is another story...



Instead of doing an add-a-fuse on the accessory fuse panel (ST1 SC), I just took a repair wire (000 979 135 E) and added it into a blank slot on the fuse block and put in the appropriate sized fuse that the detector requires. It looks factory.

Last was the control panel. I ended up not liking the display attached to the front face of the dash so I fabricated the ashtray a little (saw it done on someone else's install) and placed the control panel there. I like it a lot better as you can close the ashtray door and it can be hidden.





This is the finished result on the front of the Q. The sensor is really small and blends in with the gloss black trim.



Let me know what you think!

jbbarrette

Clean install, nice work!!

ThunderDent

Damn nice install.

Mrclopec

Thank you. :-)

182 Driver

Very nice install, do you still get any warranty with NOS?

Mrclopec

Yes. It was purchased from an authorized dealer.

Gsrjc

Wow... that is clean

joey jojo

sweet looking install! and man, i LOVE those v-spoke wheels! would love to pick up a set, but no one seems to be selling.

Mrclopec

Thanks! The wheels were new for 2015 on the S-Line Plus Package. We initially didn't know what they looked like as the Audi USA's configurator at the time hadn't been updated when they were released. We had to go to the UK's site to view them. When we took delivery we were very happy to say the least. :-)

q5 dave

Looks stellar. I mayhave missed it but where are you drawing power from? Can you snap a photo of your fusebox? I'm trying to hardwire a Passport 9500ix but I'm unsure of what fuse to tap into and how to do it lol.