routing for radar detector wiring near A pillar

[jebia]

I want to run two wires for my radar detedtor from under my dash ('89 carrera) to near the mirror where the detector will be mounted.

do I just squeeze the wire against the windshield and A pillar (to hide the wiring underneath), or can the A pillar covering be removed (so I can rout the wires behind it)? Does the A pillar have clips, so you can just pull it apart or is it glued together?

thanks in advance.

Jon
Albuquerque

[euro911sc]

On my SC its kinda glued on there. This would be the vinyl covering. I'm pretty sure (I can check tonight) that you may be able to snug the wire under the windshield seal IIRC. Regardless, you will have to use a suction cup attachment for the detector as there really is no way to clip it on up there like you might on a modern day foam piece headliner.

I'd be interested in knowing, with pics, how you run the wire up from under the dash

Best regards,

Michael

[frogger]

I was able to lift the windshield's rubber seal along the edge facing the headliner and I tucked the wiring underneath. The wiring pops out just above the rear view mirror where the detector is mounted.

[GeorgeM]

I'm with frogger. Routed it up from the fuse box to the sun visor.

[Por_sha911]

The wire tucks nicely in the rubber seal all the way down to the dash.

[scottb]

Por_sha911: Slick mounting job. How did you do it?

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by scottb

Por_sha911: Slick mounting job. How did you do it?

It isn't my original idea. I found it on a post. Pretty simple, gently use a flathead screwdriver to get the edge up on the rubber and carefully fit the wire in. The wire is "flat" and there is enough of a gap that you can just push it in. Once you get the first few inches going, the tension from the wire already in there along with the gap where the wire is coming out will allow you to just keep pushing it slowly along till you get to your destination. Take a look at your car and you'll see what I mean.

[4flyboy]

That's slick! The cops are gonna love it too!

Scott

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 4flyboy

That's slick! The cops are gonna love it too!
Scott

Hey, you're already driving a "Ticket-me-Porsche" and if their radar goes beep and they see two cars, do you think they are pulling over granny in the Taurus or you?
The detector is behind the tint band and not visible from the front or back (remote unit is on top of the steering column in front of the stupid shift indicator light.

If you get pulled over smokey has already made up his mind and you're probably toast anyway.
Think of it this way, in the forest you don't have to outrun a bear, just the guy running along side you. On the highway you don't have to be the slowest car at the radar trap, just slower than the guy blowing past you. The dectector tells me to lift before the other guy.

[4flyboy]

I'm just sayin.................

[rusnak]

I used black plastic clips glued to the rubber seal with silicone glue. I made a coil cord with telephone cord and some radio shack crimp on connecters, and a telephone connector.

[scottb]

Joe: How is the detector attached to the windshield? Suction cup?

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by scottb

Joe: How is the detector attached to the windshield? Suction cup?

The stock V1 factory suction cups. They hold very nicely if you clean the glass really well and use a tiny bit of moisture on the cups just before you push it on there.

[Noah930]

I've also routed my V1 similar to Por_sha's method. I broke the tip off of a plastic knife and used that to pry up the rubber trim around the windshield. I slipped the wiring underneath the edge of the trim. The cord runs down the passenger A pillar, through the glove box, and to the cigarette lighter. I can stash the radar detector and plug into the glove box when not in use.

I also sometimes mount the detector just above the dash (much lower than rusnak's--mine just peeks over/through the windshield wipers). Supposedly, cops shoot for the headlights/license plate. So a lower placed unit may pick up signals better than a higher place one (like by the rearview mirror). Who knows? Too many real life variables to predict.

Nevertheless, I'm careful with this more conspicuous 2nd location, as a pissy cop can also throw in a ticket for having some sort of obstructing object between driver and windshield. (Those parking passes, CDs, crystals, and other shyte people hang from their rearview mirrors? All technically illegal.)

[Wil Ferch]

Car & Driver magazine many years ago determimed via tests that the higher you mount the detector on the windshield... the longer range you get ...

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Wil Ferch

Car & Driver magazine many years ago determimed via tests that the higher you mount the detector on the windshield... the longer range you get ...

True. V1 gives a lot of info at their website as well. If you are concerned about Laser, you want it to be as low as possible. Otherwise, the higher the better. Final thought, if you are tagged with Laser you're dead meat anyway so don't worry about it unless you have a Laser jammer (which would buy you enough time to hit the brakes).

[RWebb]

If too high Valentine told me it would block the rear signals. Be sure to check that out.

[Por_sha911]

Yes there is some concern that the roof slopes down in the back and as such there is signal loss. I am mostly concerned about front signal on radar since there is less of a percentage of the time that they are coming up from behind.

[RoninLB]

No problem waiting for Calif HP coming up behind me on I-5 w/a visor mount. Better a slow entrance from behind that an HP coming on fast from ahead.
The HP was so far behind that I couldn't see him on a straight with no cars blocking him.

The shield is an antenna Sigla which has a wider sun band than PPG.