weber806

Hi All,

I am looking to hardwire and install Escort Passport 9500IX radar in my 2018 A5 Sportback. For the installation, I have direct wire cord and Add A Circuit Fuse Tap adapter kit.

The idea is to mount radar around the rear-view mirror and ran direct wire to fuse box. Using fuse tap adapter, I am looking to tap into one of the fuses to get 12V power for detector. I want detector to power off as I shutoff a car. In other words, I don't want it to stay on and drain battery when the car is not running.

Could anyone provide directions on which fuse # would it be safe to tap to for 12V power for detector?


Pictures of your radar detector setup and configuration are highly encouraged.



PS. I have read some enthusiasts connect detector to the power in the rear-view mirror I do not want to do that, and would like to avoid such configuration.

Thanks in advance,

Weber

AUDIQSS

The switched fuses you are seeking are located under the "dead pedal". That is the plate that you rest your left foot on while you are driving. The top of the pedal is removable using an allen wrench on the screw near the upper end of the pedal. I used an empty slot in that fuse box near the middle of it. I don't remember which numbered slot it was.

weber806

Thanks for the guidance, I did run the wire from detector to the fuse box under the "dead pedal', connected the wires. Everything works, thanks! Below is the summary of my effort to hardwire radar detector.

weber806

After some slight effort was able to figure this out. Here is summary of the steps to hardwire radar detector for A5 Sportback.

1. Locate the spot where you want radar to be installed at. I decided to mount mine to the left of the rear view mirror.



Location of the radar detector


2. Run direct wire from the location of the radar to the fuse box located by the "dead pedal" or foot rest (left of break pedal). I used plastic credit card to push and hide the wire between the windshield and padding. When you push the wire, do not use sharp or metal object which may damage the wire. Plastic card or thin wood card worked well for me.





Run wire alone the windshield to dead pedal



3. Remove dead pedal fuse box cover with allen key.

4. Tap into home link fuse












5. Run ground wire and connect it to the vehicle frame. Driver side has side panel which covers small fuse box. Attach ground wire to frame bolt.






6.Start the car to make sure radar works as expected, hide wires and put it all back together.

scoopman

Gosh, the mirror wiring route looks so much easier than that.

jamis

Agreed.

I did this method in my 2013 A5 when the main fuse box was located to the left of the steering wheel (instead of the in the dead pedal). When I saw the fuse panel differences between the two cars, I didn't want to deal with it.

I did the mirror tap version in my 2018 S5 and very much preferred that method.

BMWconvert

Hi, I have a 2014 S5 and I am trying to figure out the power & ground on the Molex connector to the rearview mirror, any feedback would ne greatly appreciated!

Thx,
LB

dockirsch

Thanks for your post, especially identifying the best fuse to use. So many of them are always "hot." You saved me time testing them all. I also have a mirror tap but decided to run the wires similar to how you described. It actually takes less time than trying to pull the mirror down. I use a plastic bicycle tire change tool to push the wire into the seams.

future S4

I used a slightly modified version weber806's wiring method and it worked great. I mounted my Uniden detector in the same location but used a permanent mount instead of the suction cups. Very happy with this mount, which just uses 3m double-sided tape to stick the mount to the windshield. Cost was about $12 bucks on eBay. The detector is mounted very solidly and no fear of it falling from that spot with the suction cups. Highly recommend!

mdrobc1213

Op. did you use a mini fuse tap or regular sized one? Looking to do the same but have an RS5 and wonder if fuse box is in same location to tap into? Would think so. Great post!