How To Install a Direct Wire Cord For a Radar Detector In a First Gen Mazda 3
Posted on 24. May, 2009 by Axelaspeed in How-To Guides, Mazda3 Guide, What's Hot
In this tutorial I am going to show you how I wired my radar to my Mazda 3. Before you get started, please remember that Mazda3Revolution.com and its writers/staff are not responsible for any changes or damage to your vehicle that might occur from this tutorial.
Tools Used:
Screwdriver
Dremel
Electrical Tape
Razor Blade or Wire Cutters
Pliers
Direct Wire Smart Cord Kit – includes all the stuff you need.
First as you see in this picture it is the original stock wire harness that comes with the passport escort 8500 x50 radar.
I will be replacing that wire with the direct wire smart cord for the passport radar. With this wire:
Before I go into steps you may want to figure out where you want to put this smart wire cord, I chose to put it in the ash tray and dremel out a hole for it in the back so it can be hidden away.
If placing this in another spot please research into where you are going to tap into power and grounding spots.
Step 1 – Removing the panels for this installation.
Open up the glove box and remove the center dash strip piece:
When removing this remove it towards you, you will see tabs underneath it and you should be able to lift it off.
Next remove the two screws above the glove box circled in red:
Remove the cupholder, it should just lift right up.
Next remove the shift knob and the shifter panel in an upward position as well.
Remove the two screws.
Now remove the ash tray cigarette light panel.
Next remove the passenger door sill, just pull it up.
Remove the right kick panel under neath the glovebox, there will be a fastener (circled in red). Take that out and you should be able to pull the piece towards you.
Drop down the glove box by pulling it towards you.
Step 2 – Running the wires.
Test fit the smart cord in the ash tray. See where you want to put it.
This is where you need a dremel because you have to cut the ash tray.
Note: If you choose not to you can just mount the smart cord part in side without the tray.
Run the wires through the hole.
Use the double sided velcro and apply it the the smartcord button and mount it in the ash tray.
Now place the tray back in the holder and run the wires behind it like this:
Next take the telephone wire and run it towards the glove box:
Take the wire and run it towards the A-pillar underneath the rubber gasket seam of the door.
Wedge the wire into the A-pillar towards the windshield.
Tuck the wire into the headliner towards the mirror. If the wire is to long, pull the wire down some from where the glove box is.
Install your radar mount, but do not plug in the telephone wire yet.
Step 3 – Tap the wire for power and ground the source.
Splice the positive wire coming out the back of the cigarette outlet to the positive wire from the hard wire kit using the T-splice and the spade. (provided in the kit) Use the pliers and press down on the T-splice to lock it in then insert the spade into the t-splice. See the photos below.
Ground the hardwire negative to the chassis of the body.
Step 4 – Time to test it out!
Plug in the telephone wire into your radar.
Put your key in and turn to on position, see if it works.
if you hear your radar beep on start up everything is good to go!
Step 5 – Put everything back together.
And just like that, you’ve installed your wire and made your radar setup even more stealth than it was before. Post up any questions/comments or suggestions/improvements below!
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