E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods Discussion about both stock and aftermarket parts for the E60. Accessories and modifications too!

Need help with radar detector hardwire

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-06-2012, 11:20 AM
  #1  
Members
Thread Starter
 
Dishoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Sport
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N62
Default

I've tried the green+yellow wire as suggested in the post #1 below, and it worked for a couple weeks, but then just recently my radar detector stopped responding. Fortunately, I didn't receive any sunroof error message, but it seems that the radar detector will only powers on when I open/close the sunroof. Strange that it worked before without having to do this. I then tried the method in post #2 below, using the red+yellow wire as part of the overhead lighting, but this method does not work for me at all...even tried turning the lights on & off. Has anyone succeeded in using the overhead wires for hardwiring a radar detecotr in LCI E60 550? I'm not sure if the wiring is different from LCI 528, 535, and prob not the same at all for non-LCI E60.
  1. https://5series.net/forums/topic/708-radar-det/
  2. https://5series.net/forums/topic/539...1/page__st__15

Hope someone can help with this.
Old 04-06-2012, 02:09 PM
  #2  
Members
 
Jello's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Daytona Beach, FL and Yorktown, VA
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2006
Default

I did mine to the overhead lights in a non-LCI. But I don't understand how an LCI would have different lights. Power to lights --> lights on, no power --> lights off. It should work...
Old 04-06-2012, 07:44 PM
  #3  
Members
 
metroE60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Central PA+Philadelphia
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: E60525i: Logic 7, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, CIC Retrofit, OEM Nav activation, new controller, Combox, 6FL/6NR , Heated Steering Wheel, 6 Speed STEPTRONIC, Bluetooth, 6 CD Changer, Escort 8500 X50 Hardwired, Remus Exhaust, 35% tint, Alufe
Default

I also have a non-LCI with an Escort 8500 X50 hardwired using that DIY instruction link you posted. Had it since 06 no issues. Maybe they did in fact change the wiring? That would be odd though.
Old 04-07-2012, 05:21 AM
  #4  
Senior Members
 
tonyb635's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
Default

I used the DIY too I believe the power came from the sunroof. The only thing I did different was I added a small illumunated rocker switch to the overhead control panel. It's much easier to turn off because I have the detector tucked tightly up next to the mirror. Not problems at all.
Old 04-08-2012, 09:10 AM
  #5  
Members
Thread Starter
 
Dishoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Sport
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N62
Default

Originally Posted by tonyb635
I used the DIY too I believe the power came from the sunroof. The only thing I did different was I added a small illumunated rocker switch to the overhead control panel. It's much easier to turn off because I have the detector tucked tightly up next to the mirror. Not problems at all.

Sounds like a nice setup. Any pics of the switch and how your radar detector is mounted?

I'll have to retry tapping into the wires again. I have no idea what could have gone wrong. With the wires being so thin, I was worried about the tap splicing right through it, which would leave me with a bigger pain of mending the wiring.

Where are you guys grounding to? I just used one of the sunroof motor torx screws, maybe because the whole assembly is mounted on plastic maybe it's not a good ground?
Old 04-08-2012, 10:46 AM
  #6  
Senior Members
 
tonyb635's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
Default

Looks mine is using the same wires. I grounded the negative inside top on the body. The rocker switch illuminates a small green dot on the switch when the detector is on and is controlled throught the ignition on power.
Need help with radar detector hardwire-r1.jpgNeed help with radar detector hardwire-r2.pngNeed help with radar detector hardwire-r3.png
Old 04-12-2012, 08:33 AM
  #7  
Members
Thread Starter
 
Dishoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Sport
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N62
Default

I reinstalled using the green+yellow wire, but this time instead of using the sunroof motor screw as a ground, I drilled a small hole and used a screw as tonyb635 has done. It's been working flawlessly for the past week, so I guess I just didn't have a sufficient ground the first time around. Thanks for helping!
Old 04-12-2012, 08:29 PM
  #8  
Members
 
metroE60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Central PA+Philadelphia
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: E60525i: Logic 7, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, CIC Retrofit, OEM Nav activation, new controller, Combox, 6FL/6NR , Heated Steering Wheel, 6 Speed STEPTRONIC, Bluetooth, 6 CD Changer, Escort 8500 X50 Hardwired, Remus Exhaust, 35% tint, Alufe
Default

Dishoom dishoom. I.e. gunshots... preferably from an inspector's pistol?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TopPMP
Complete Car Sales
6
08-10-2020 04:15 PM
carid
Vendor Classifieds
0
08-07-2015 03:09 AM
Katitu
Private Member Classifieds
0
08-05-2015 11:05 AM
Alfano
F10, F11 Parts, Accessories and Mods
0
07-29-2015 05:23 AM
Ray Hull
E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods
4
11-15-2005 12:01 PM



Quick Reply: Need help with radar detector hardwire



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:21 AM.