DIY: Passport X50 A-Pillar Hardwire-Step 1 of 5 -Introduction and wire harness

Energybiz · 04-21-2009, 08:34 AM

I did this over the weekend. Very simple, had to buy new torx driver and the fuse tap, but that was it. I bought the fuse tap at Pep Boys for $9.00 and it came with 4 extra fuses. The A pillar portion is by far the toughest part. Just be patient and dont force anything back into place. And FYI, I used fuse #7 in my 09 E92.
The install is virtually invisible.
Thanks

cwhitpan · 06-05-2009, 05:32 PM

Great DIY, just walked through this today and got it done in 25 minutes. Would have been faster, but my fuse box is different!!

and I took off the panel in the footwell looking for the fuse box, DUH!

Thanks for the great help!

cu_north · 08-25-2009, 04:03 PM

Thanks for the DIY! I used Fuse #28 same as Homelink, worked like a charm.

ismelllikepoop · 09-19-2009, 07:13 PM

this was a very helpful writeup, the only difficult part was putting back the trim. one issue that i had is that one of those plastic clips fell in the dash area where the wiring goes down in, but i cant seem to fish it out. is there any way to get to that area? it is annoying the crap out of me that there is a plastic clip floating around in my right dash area.

Javier · 12-07-2009, 12:36 PM

does the fuse tap have to be in a slot that already has a fuse in it, or can it be in an empty slot

Javier · 12-11-2009, 07:56 PM

i did this exact same hardwire but with a valentine1, used fuse #8 (lighter) on my E92. worked like a charm.. getting the a pillar trim back on was kinda frustrating but it worked.

i found that the best place to mount the detector is just to the left of the rear view mirror. works great!

ismelllikepoop · 12-12-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ismelllikepoop

this was a very helpful writeup, the only difficult part was putting back the trim. one issue that i had is that one of those plastic clips fell in the dash area where the wiring goes down in, but i cant seem to fish it out. is there any way to get to that area? it is annoying the crap out of me that there is a plastic clip floating around in my right dash area.

anyone know how to fish out the abyss that those clips fell into?

Eights-n-Aces · 02-17-2010, 08:33 PM

Has anyone used this method on the E93? Are there any major differences with vert?

Eights-n-Aces · 02-19-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eights-n-Aces

Has anyone used this method on the E93? Are there any major differences with vert?

I'll answer my own question. There are some very slight differences but all-in-all this DIY was a great guide for my 2010 E93.

I started by running the wire from the rear view mirror, across the top, down the A-Pillar and to the fuse box.

The A-pillar trim is slightly different since there is no torx screw to remove. There are only two plastic push clips and the slots at the bottom. Start at the top, next to the glass and pull slowly towards the center of the car. Also, there is no airbag or foam on the inside of the trim to worry about.

The instructions say to "Plug the fuse blade into an empty slot". I tried all of the empty slots in the range 1-10 but only one provided power but it was always on. Slot 8 is keyed with the ingition so I removed the 20A fuse and replaced it with the fuse tap and a 10A fuse.

Lotus99 · 02-19-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eights-n-Aces

I'll answer my own question. There are some very slight differences but all-in-all this DIY was a great guide for my 2010 E93.

I started by running the wire from the rear view mirror, across the top, down the A-Pillar and to the fuse box.

The A-pillar trim is slightly different since there is no torx screw to remove. There are only two plastic push clips and the slots at the bottom. Start at the top, next to the glass and pull slowly towards the center of the car. Also, there is no airbag or foam on the inside of the trim to worry about.

The instructions say to "Plug the fuse blade into an empty slot". I tried all of the empty slots in the range 1-10 but only one provided power but it was always on. Slot 8 is keyed with the ingition so I removed the 20A fuse and replaced it with the fuse tap and a 10A fuse.

Did you consider doing it the other way, by tapping into the power that runs into the lights area? I tried pulling down that trim a bit once, and got afriad I might break it, and figured that mod would only work with cars that have sunroof controls.

This is the DIY I'm referring to: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97545

Running it this way has one advantage for E93's that I can think of for the Valentine 1, which is that the Direct-Wire Power Adapter can be tucked in the fuse area I assume, whereas up in the headliner I don't think there's any room in our cars.

poopdeckpappy · 12-10-2010, 10:30 PM

I installed my v1 today and it took less than thirty minutes. The most important tool is a good plastic, tapered antenna install tool. I never removed the trim. I followed the windshield / headliner to the A piller. Then used the trim joint, at the top of the A piller, to slip the wire around to the door gasket / seal. Followed the seal to the spot shown in picture 12. The entire cabin wire run was done with no trim removed. Just a tool to slip the wire behind the trim. Once inside this side panel the wire goes up over the glove box and drops right down into the fuse box area, behind the glove box.

Thank you very much for the fuse tap method. Nothing could be easier or less invasive, no wires cut, vamped or touched. I used slot 8 as well. This is the first DIY that didn't cost me more in repairs than money saved. This forum is great.

Perfectus · 03-09-2011, 04:08 PM

For people installing V1's with the fuse tap, are you "cutting out" the inline fuse?

blimey · 03-09-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectus

For people installing V1's with the fuse tap, are you "cutting out" the inline fuse?

no.

Perfectus · 03-17-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blimey

no.

So you essentially have two fuses? The inline then the one in the fuse tap?

DAKn2 · 09-28-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poopdeckpappy

I installed my v1 today and it took less than thirty minutes. The most important tool is a good plastic, tapered antenna install tool. I never removed the trim. I followed the windshield / headliner to the A piller. Then used the trim joint, at the top of the A piller, to slip the wire around to the door gasket / seal. Followed the seal to the spot shown in picture 12. The entire cabin wire run was done with no trim removed. Just a tool to slip the wire behind the trim. Once inside this side panel the wire goes up over the glove box and drops right down into the fuse box area, behind the glove box.

Thank you very much for the fuse tap method. Nothing could be easier or less invasive, no wires cut, vamped or touched. I used slot 8 as well. This is the first DIY that didn't cost me more in repairs than money saved. This forum is great.

Do you have a picture of the "good plastic, tapered antenna install tool" ?

DDS2015 · 11-25-2011, 11:02 PM

Just used this DIY on my E90 yesterday. Worked great and looks super clean. Thanks for the help

intermediatic · 01-26-2012, 09:49 PM

I did this today! I also slid the wire behind the A pillar trim instead of removing the A pillar. It was easy enough. It's flexible. I first traced it across the top of the A pillar trim where the headliner meets it and then down the A pillar. I hid it behind the rubber gasket then behind and into the glove compartment. A half hour and I was done. I got a 10 amp fuse for the top slot of the buss fuse adapter and put the 20 amp fuse from socket 8 (cigarette lighter) into the lower slot, as directed by the instructions. A plastic bike tire iron helped me slip the wire behind the rubber.

My only question is where the heck to put the remote button for the Escort Redline?

While you may think it can't see laser, there are plenty of times I've seen em. I'd rather have a fighting chance.

Snkypete · 02-18-2012, 02:44 PM

Just finished this (although for a Valentine One), thank you for the write up. It helped me get the A-pillar cover off properly.

I used a fuse tap off of Fuse #7 (08 E90). Used the same ground with a large eyelet.

ruslik · 01-23-2013, 12:58 AM

just ordered the wire it was 8 bucks and you have to get the mini fuse

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Escort-Passp...item5ad1d25560

MTribe · 01-26-2013, 12:10 AM

Really appreciate the post--thanks so much!

TreyR28 · 07-20-2013, 07:22 PM

Sorry to bump an old thread but I have a few questions. So even if the OP isn't around hopefully someone can help me out and answer the questions I have.

I just ordered a Escort x50 and I am planning on doing the hardwire this weekend. Can I just go and buy a phone cord from home depot and a fuse tap from an auto parts store and do this or do I need the kit that some one posted a few post up? I don't really want to cut up the cord that comes with the detector, and I would rather just go out and buy the parts than order some kit from ebay.

Thanks for your help ahead of time!

mxhondarider832 · 08-17-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreyR28

Sorry to bump an old thread but I have a few questions. So even if the OP isn't around hopefully someone can help me out and answer the questions I have.

I just ordered a Escort x50 and I am planning on doing the hardwire this weekend. Can I just go and buy a phone cord from home depot and a fuse tap from an auto parts store and do this or do I need the kit that some one posted a few post up? I don't really want to cut up the cord that comes with the detector, and I would rather just go out and buy the parts than order some kit from ebay.

Thanks for your help ahead of time!

Yup its pretty simple. You can use any phone cord and pick up a fuse tap at any auto parts store, no need to buy any kits or anything like that.

04-21-2009, 08:34 AM	#23
Energybiz New Member 1 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 Black Saphire Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Louisville iTrader: (0)	Radar Detector Hardwire DIY I did this over the weekend. Very simple, had to buy new torx driver and the fuse tap, but that was it. I bought the fuse tap at Pep Boys for $9.00 and it came with 4 extra fuses. The A pillar portion is by far the toughest part. Just be patient and dont force anything back into place. And FYI, I used fuse #7 in my 09 E92. The install is virtually invisible. Thanks
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06-05-2009, 05:32 PM	#24
cwhitpan Private First Class 11 Rep 149 Posts Drives: E90 335XI LCI - Tasman Green Join Date: May 2009 Location: Awesomeville, PA iTrader: (5)	Great DIY, just walked through this today and got it done in 25 minutes. Would have been faster, but my fuse box is different!! and I took off the panel in the footwell looking for the fuse box, DUH! Thanks for the great help! __________________
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08-25-2009, 04:03 PM	#25
cu_north Seasoned Lurker 5 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Black/Black Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the DIY! I used Fuse #28 same as Homelink, worked like a charm.
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09-19-2009, 07:13 PM	#26
ismelllikepoop First Lieutenant 26 Rep 365 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: pooptown iTrader: (1)	this was a very helpful writeup, the only difficult part was putting back the trim. one issue that i had is that one of those plastic clips fell in the dash area where the wiring goes down in, but i cant seem to fish it out. is there any way to get to that area? it is annoying the crap out of me that there is a plastic clip floating around in my right dash area.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2009, 12:36 PM	#27
Javier Major 90 Rep 1,109 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (0)	does the fuse tap have to be in a slot that already has a fuse in it, or can it be in an empty slot __________________ 2007 328i Crimson Red SOLD 2010 335i MSport AW E92
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12-11-2009, 07:56 PM	#28
Javier Major 90 Rep 1,109 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (0)	i did this exact same hardwire but with a valentine1, used fuse #8 (lighter) on my E92. worked like a charm.. getting the a pillar trim back on was kinda frustrating but it worked. i found that the best place to mount the detector is just to the left of the rear view mirror. works great! __________________ 2007 328i Crimson Red SOLD 2010 335i MSport AW E92
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2010, 08:33 PM	#30
Eights-n-Aces []D []-[] []_[] []< []\[] []_[] '][' 32 Rep 418 Posts Drives: 335i Convertible/Le Mans Blue/ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Weston, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 335 Convertible [0.00]	Has anyone used this method on the E93? Are there any major differences with vert? __________________ 2010 E93 335i M LeMans Blue 2001 E 46 330ci Coupe/silver/black/Sunroof 1999 BMW R1200C Cruiser-Ivory & Blue
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12-10-2010, 10:30 PM	#33
poopdeckpappy Private First Class 4 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 08 e92 m3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: atlanta iTrader: (0)	I installed my v1 today and it took less than thirty minutes. The most important tool is a good plastic, tapered antenna install tool. I never removed the trim. I followed the windshield / headliner to the A piller. Then used the trim joint, at the top of the A piller, to slip the wire around to the door gasket / seal. Followed the seal to the spot shown in picture 12. The entire cabin wire run was done with no trim removed. Just a tool to slip the wire behind the trim. Once inside this side panel the wire goes up over the glove box and drops right down into the fuse box area, behind the glove box. Thank you very much for the fuse tap method. Nothing could be easier or less invasive, no wires cut, vamped or touched. I used slot 8 as well. This is the first DIY that didn't cost me more in repairs than money saved. This forum is great.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-09-2011, 04:08 PM	#34
Perfectus Major 36 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: e92 335i/F10 528XI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NOVA/MD iTrader: (10)	For people installing V1's with the fuse tap, are you "cutting out" the inline fuse? __________________ 2012 528XI Saphire Black Stock for now 2007 e92 335i - Monaco Blue Injen DCI w/ Cyba Scoop - M-Tech Rear - ///M3 Rear Lip Spoiler - ///M5 SMG Shift Knob & iDrive Knob - BMW Performance Hand Brake - BMWCCA Member
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11-25-2011, 11:02 PM	#38
DDS2015 Major 457 Rep 1,466 Posts Drives: 2018 M3CS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Winnipeg iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW X3 [10.00] 2023 BMW M4 [10.00]	Just used this DIY on my E90 yesterday. Worked great and looks super clean. Thanks for the help
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01-26-2012, 09:49 PM	#39
intermediatic New Member 3 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 330xi 2011 LeMansBlue M Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I did this today! I also slid the wire behind the A pillar trim instead of removing the A pillar. It was easy enough. It's flexible. I first traced it across the top of the A pillar trim where the headliner meets it and then down the A pillar. I hid it behind the rubber gasket then behind and into the glove compartment. A half hour and I was done. I got a 10 amp fuse for the top slot of the buss fuse adapter and put the 20 amp fuse from socket 8 (cigarette lighter) into the lower slot, as directed by the instructions. A plastic bike tire iron helped me slip the wire behind the rubber. My only question is where the heck to put the remote button for the Escort Redline? While you may think it can't see laser, there are plenty of times I've seen em. I'd rather have a fighting chance.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 02:44 PM	#40
Snkypete Private 7 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00] 2000 Mustang GT [0.00] 2008 BMW X5 [0.00]	Just finished this (although for a Valentine One), thank you for the write up. It helped me get the A-pillar cover off properly. I used a fuse tap off of Fuse #7 (08 E90). Used the same ground with a large eyelet. __________________ 08 335xi, AT, Cobb AP - Custom Tuned by EFILogics 2000 Mustang GT 631rwhp/655rwtq...the show car http://www.snkypete.com
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01-23-2013, 12:58 AM	#41
ruslik Banned 9 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: nj iTrader: (3)	just ordered the wire it was 8 bucks and you have to get the mini fuse http://www.ebay.com/itm/Escort-Passp...item5ad1d25560
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01-26-2013, 12:10 AM	#42
MTribe Private 13 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 10 135, 06 Elise, 71 TR6 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Really appreciate the post--thanks so much!
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07-20-2013, 07:22 PM	#43
TreyR28 Private First Class 36 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ATL/CLT iTrader: (0)	Sorry to bump an old thread but I have a few questions. So even if the OP isn't around hopefully someone can help me out and answer the questions I have. I just ordered a Escort x50 and I am planning on doing the hardwire this weekend. Can I just go and buy a phone cord from home depot and a fuse tap from an auto parts store and do this or do I need the kit that some one posted a few post up? I don't really want to cut up the cord that comes with the detector, and I would rather just go out and buy the parts than order some kit from ebay. Thanks for your help ahead of time!
	Appreciate 0 Quote