Valentine 1 install in R8

[snark12]

So I'm the proud owner of a new R8 V10 and I'm loving it. But I'm not loving the cord dangling down from my V1 radar detector. I used to have it hardwired into the fuse box in my RS4 using a trick I saw on the AW boards.

Does anyone have info on a similar trick for the R8? Which fuse would I use? I saw a post about doing it from a few years ago on the AW board but the included link to the instructions doesn't work anymore.

Thanks for any help.

[mngolfer]

You should PM mothertucker. He has a setup that is invisible and has both jamming and radar. In one thread he showed pictures and a detailed how to for the installation. Search is your friend.

[desperado]

There is a product called InvisiCord. www.invisicord.com
They are available from the maker or from www.southerncarparts.com. It hooks into the switched power at the rear view mirror. While they don't list Audi as a compatible application, they do list a wide variety of other domestic and import vehicles. Their website also says they'll do custom applications. It's not expensive, and might be worth a try.

[MotherTucker]

Tapping into the mirror is a good idea if you are technically inclined and don't mind a bit of risk. I did my NSX like that, but have never attempted it on the O.E. R8 mirror.

If you want to stick with the power cord on the V1, you should be able to hide it pretty well. The cord on a V1 is a 4 conductor flat cable, identical to a phone cable. I would route it under the edge of the head liner toward the passenger side, and then down the A pillar. It's probably easiest to run it on the windshield side of the A pillar, but you'll have to cross the pillar somewhere, so I suggest crossing the pillar at the top and run it down the door side of the pillar if you can shove it in there. There's a plastic cap piece to the right of the AC vent that does snap right off, so remove that to hide the cable as it goes down to the footwell area. Shove it up under the edge of the carpet, heading toward the fuse box in front of the passenger's feet. Get ground from some screw that connects to the metal, and power can come from the fuse box if you are careful. Be absolutely sure to add a fuse very close to one of these tap points (the 12V switched power is not fused):




Another less technical option might be to go into the glove box after you get down the A pillar, since there is a 12V socket in the glove box, way at the back. That outlet is already switched.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

mt

[desperado]

I installed an Escort 9500ix in the R8 using the InvisiCord and it was very simple! Check out www.invisicord.com for details about their cord. This cord also works with many other detectors including the V1.


1. I removed the mirror from the windshield following all the steps detailed in the Bentley manual (search on "Interior Rearview Mirror" in the Body/Body Interior section). Be patient with the plastic cover over the base as the tabs are small but firmly fastened.

[If you don't have the manual, just grab the mirror firmly and twist counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise for you Brits). It will pop off the windshield and you can figure out how to remove the cover and free up the wiring connector on your own. Be careful to keep it close to the windshield when it releases as the cord is short. Use a flashlight (Brit: torch) to help you distinguish the small details in all that black plastic.]


2. I slid the InvisiCord pins into the rear of the Mirror half of the connector because it was more easily accessible than the harness half. The yellow wrap (+) goes into pin 1 of the mirror connector alongside the white wire; and the black wrap (-) goes into pin 2 of the connector alongside the black wire. They slipped in quite easily.

For those who want more details: The pin numbers 1, 3, 4, & 6 are molded into the connector - they are tiny but visible. You can verify these pins in the Bentley wiring diagrams: Standard Equipment No. 1, page 25. The Mirror is component Y7 and the harness connector is T6n. You can then compare this information to the car to verify that pin one in the mirror side has a white wire which mates with the specified red/green (main harness Terminal 15a, i.e., switched power) in pin 1 of the harness side of the plug; the mirror's pin 2 black wire mates with a solid brown wire (main harness ground) in pin 2 of the harness side of the plug. There are other brown wires in the harness side - don't use those as they are NOT a ground, but are instead the autodimming circuits for the outside door mirrors!

3. Reassemble the mirror, it's the reverse of disassembly. I found it easiest to remount the mirror to the windshield, then put the cover on last. I brought the invisicord out the center-top of the mirror cover, by the headliner. I have the 12" cord, and it is long enough to reach the detector when mounted to the right side of the mirror. If you want the detector on the left side, you may need to notch the mirror cover in order to bring the cord out the left side to free up more length.

4. My installation is complete. I do plan on making a custom bracket [EDIT: See this thread for my mounting bracket] which mounts to the Visor screw, to get the suction cups off the windshield (Brit: windscreen) as in California it is illegal to mount anything to the windshield with suction cups.

I took cellphone photos of the install, but they turned out horrid. Next time I have it apart I'll get some better pictures and add them to this post. [EDIT: See cavaret's EXCELLENT photos here]

[MotherTucker]

Very nice writeup Desperado, thanks! Great reference for those needing to remove their rearview mirror and do something like this.

mt

[Laurie]

Thanks Desperado! I ordered the invisicord and followed your instructions, and it worked great!

[desperado]

Laurie: Phew, I'm glad! I always worry when posting a DIY that I might have left out some step, or swapped colors, or something critical!

I'm pleased you like it. I am enjoying my detector more as it is so easy to switch it to whichever car I'm currently driving. Now my GPS database of learned false-alarm locations always goes with me. Saved my bacon a couple of times on the way home tonight, as there was an awful lot of enforcement activity about.

[RS4Cab]

4. My installation is complete. I do plan on making a custom bracket which mounts to the Visor screw, to get the suction cups off the windshield (Brit: windscreen) as in California it is illegal to mount anything to the windshield with suction cups.

I would never use the suction cups. I just put on visor with clip and a wedge to get it right angle. Hardwired it to the panel under the passenger floor mat. Was easy to tuck wires and the unit is totally invisible from outside car. I also have K40 installed but find the 9500ix picks up signal quicker.

[Roy Skousen]

The detectors with the rearward sensors still work well through the back engine winows?