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.

 

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...

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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!

 

Dishoom dishoom. I.e. gunshots... preferably from an inspector's pistol?