Valentine 1 DIY hardwire install w/ pics

[g60racer]

I know there are tons of threads on this, but they are all so long and filled with commentary on Passports and Bells and every other radar detector under the sun, they're just hard to read through for the good stuff: how to install the freaking thing!!!!

So: anyone with commentary on detectors, please find another thread. This is just an install DIY thread with pics. That's it.

First off, I want to give credit where it's due: I used this thread http://php.indiana.edu/~chihuang/vw/radar/ to follow along for my install example, and I improved on their procedure.

Basically I ran the straight RJ12 cable that came with the Val1 from the main unit on the windshield, tucked it underneath the front edge of the headliner - that was surprisingly easy! - and ran it under that edge all the way across the top, and down the a-pillar. When I got to the bottom of the a-pillar, I wedged it down as far as I could under the corner and under that seam inbetween trim pieces, across the side of the dash by the a-pillar. Where the dash is secured to the frame in the corner, I had to pop the cable up and over (didn't want o go fishing under the dash so there is a very small piece that is visible, as you'll see in the pics. Then I ran it into the fuse panel area and behind the dash.

That's where my install becomes very different from the ones I've seen posted here. I did NOT want to open my fuse box and see a messy bunch of wires spliced into an open fuse circuit, or have a loose spade connector just hanging out, and have it look like a total hack job. So I took someone else's inspiration, and since the headlight switch is right there, and since a vampire connector clip came with the V1, and since I am no longer using the DRL's, I decided to route the V1's power from the unused DRL wire. I tucked the V1 power distributor behind the fusebox, on top of it in a small nook that acts as a shelf to hold it in place. I then tucked the ground cable from the V1 power distributor behind the fuse box and popped it down along the side (you'll see what I mean in the pic) so it is very unobtrusive.

Then having tested that to make sure it was working properly, I routed the remote display wire behind the dash, under the steering column, and then out just below the leatherette dust cover on top of the steering column, to where it plugs into the remote display, which I mounted in the corner below the speedo.

Pics:

V1 mounted by mirror \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_033.jpg

Here's the only part of the V1 wiring that shows, crossing the corner of the dash and a-pillar \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_026.jpg

View of fuse box open - no V1 wiring showing!!! Clean, baby! \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_024.jpg

Entire fuse panel open, so you can see how the wires are routed \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_027.jpg

If you don't see the V1 wiring, it's highlighted here in red \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_027a.jpg

View of remote display wiring, coming up from under the leatherette dust cover \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_023.jpg

Remote display mounted in place \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_022.jpg

Driver's view of dash with installed remote display \/

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_021.jpg

[ncttrnl]

Nice!

Im going to move this to the how to section.

[g60racer]

Cool deal. Thanks!

[BLACK 1.8T]

damn. didn't even know we had a how-to section. good stuff

[ncttrnl]

damn. didn't even know we had a how-to section. good stuff

Yup... people can't create new threads in it normally. We try to move things into it as people post stuff like this up.

[RavinJetta]

Very nice install

[SYNYSTAGLI]

Branden, Nice how to bro!!! We need more of these kinds of threads!!

[g60racer]

Thanks. I do need to go back in there and fish the main wire down through the dash at the corner of the a-pillar instead of having it loop over, but this was a 10 minute install... will go back and make it even cleaner. :)

[Phalcon_Mojo]

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/g60racer_album14/May_2006_021.jpg

Totally off topic... is that the Millenium Phalcon? I can't find that one any where anymore.

[cynicalgeek]

Did the same exact install last December in Greenwing's GTI. Same locations and everything. Only difference was that I pulled the cover on the A-Pillar to run the wire under the headliner and down the pillar with the factory harness. Neater, but the bitch clip sucks... Tracy ran the illumination wire for the W8 panel and got that hooked up while we were at it.

If you pull the underdash apart, there's some good grounding points up above, and there's a block of various power terminals on the bottom of the relay panel, with constant 12V, switched 12V, etc. I used the switched 12V with an inline fuse.

Good writeup. :tup:

[madajb]

If you pull the underdash apart, there's some good grounding points up above, and there's a block of various power terminals on the bottom of the relay panel, with constant 12V, switched 12V, etc. I used the switched 12V with an inline fuse.

Good writeup. :tup:

Now, if you'd hooked it up to a Euroswitch, so when you switch on the rear fog the radar detector is powered, that'd be real cool.

-ajb

[cynicalgeek]

Now, if you'd hooked it up to a Euroswitch, so when you switch on the rear fog the radar detector is powered, that'd be real cool.

-ajb

Hmm... That would be very easy with a relay. Only problem is that you have to turn the switch to the parking light setting before you can pull it out to the second detent for the rear fog. So, no detector if you don't have the parking lights and front fogs on. Very cool idea, but the operation of the switch screws it all up.

[madajb]

Hmm... That would be very easy with a relay. Only problem is that you have to turn the switch to the parking light setting before you can pull it out to the second detent for the rear fog. So, no detector if you don't have the parking lights and front fogs on. Very cool idea, but the operation of the switch screws it all up.

Well, I never use the front "foglights" on my regular switch anyway, so I suppose I could just hook it to that.
Pull out for radar detector on, casually push in for the "Yes, officer, I have a radar detector, but as you can see, it's not turned on" excuse.
=)

-ajb

[g60racer]

^not really something we have to worry about in SoCal. Radar detectors are perfectly legal here.

[BanamexDF]

^not really something we have to worry about in SoCal. Radar detectors are perfectly legal here.

I have mine way too visible under the rear view mirror and the fat wire hanging down and cops don't care. Psh, I haven't even been pulled over yet for my front euro plate (and it's illegal according to the DMV's website) and my school is near a police station...

[madajb]

^not really something we have to worry about in SoCal. Radar detectors are perfectly legal here.
Indeed. (http://www.answers.com/tongue-in-cheek&r=67)
-ajb

[BoostedBoogie]

nice install, does your car have airbags in the a-pillar? when i hardwire mine i have to deal with that :(

[SoloGLI]

Damn, I definitely have to look into this. Thats such a clean install.

[cynicalgeek]

nice install, does your car have airbags in the a-pillar? when i hardwire mine i have to deal with that :(
There's a factory wiring harness above the airbag. Just run any wires you need with that.

[9otpwnd]

clean nice install