RostyVyg

This is a re-post with pictures on request of many viewers:

Thought you might be interested in another way of hardwiring the RD into an Audi with auto dimming/compass mirror. I tried this on 2003 A4, 2003 alloroad and 2004 allroad - works well.

Disclaimer - as usual, the poster of this thread is not responsible to any damage to your vehicle or radar detector. Please exercise common sense and use appropriate tools (including a voltmeter to make sure the polarity is correct).

Tools: Flat head medium size screwdriver, pliers, small scissors, a set of Radio Shack "Telephone Wire Tap Connectors" (part number 64-3081) and 5" of telephone wire with RJ11 jack on one end (this is for Valentine V1 or Escort Passport 7500 or 8500 - other models might require another connector on their end).

Time: 45 minutes if you have "two left hands", sooner if you are handy enough.

Misc. Notes: It is better to do this mod when it is daylight outside - you'll see things much easier.

1st step. Switch the ignition OFF! Unclip a plastic wiring cover protecting the wires coming from a headliner to the mirror (use the flat head screwdriver - pry on the passenger side first

<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-1.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-1.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-2.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-2.t.jpg"></a>

Click on the image to get a bigger picture...

2nd step. Remove the wire connector from the retainer and if you want more freedom of movement, disconnect it.

<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-3.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-3.t.jpg"></a>

3rd step. Splice longitudinally the rubber conduit (tube) BELOW the connector (on the way to the mirror) as low as you can to free up 6 wires: yellow, green, brown, gray, black and white. White wire is switched +12 volt. Power comes on when you switch the ignition only. Black wire is a ground wire.

<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-4.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-4.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-5.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-5.t.jpg"></a>

4th step. Using the "Telephone Wire Tap Connectors" - perfect fit for these wire diameters - connect the telephone cord to the wires as low as you can (this way you would be able to tuck them into the wider part of the mirror base later). Make sure the wires coming to the mirror are pushed all the way into the connector groves (this will allow the connectors to slide freely along the wires before you finalize the connection) before squeezing the tap connectors with the pliers! You only need two telephone wires out of four available in the telephone cord. These two wires are supposed to come to two middle contacts on RJ11. Please use the diagram below. It assumes you are looking on the RJ11 connector from the bottom (clip is away from you).

<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rd-wiring.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rd-wiring.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-6.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-6.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-7.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-7.t.jpg"></a>

5th step. Re-connect the mirror wire connector, switch on the ignition and check with voltmeter polarity of the power on the RJ11 connector. It should be exactly the same as polarity on the RJ11 at the end of the cigarette lighter power cord. If everything looks all right, connect the RD and check if it has power.

6th step. Switch the ignition back off. Tuck the "Telephone Wire Tap Connectors" into the wider part of the mirror base. Clip the mirror connector back.

7th step. Cut a small grove in the corner of the mirror wire cover depending which side you want the RD wire to exit to. I did it on the driver's side since the RD's in all my cars are attached via suction cups right above the mirror on the driver's side.

<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-8.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-8.t.jpg"></a>

8th step - Re-clip the mirror wire cover.

<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-9.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47928/rdhw-9.t.jpg"></a>

9th step. Attach the detector to the windshield and plug RJ11 into it.

You are done!

For those who is wondering why I did not use any additional in-line fuse - the wires to the mirror draw power through the existing low current fuse already and there is no room for additional fuse in the mirror base.

Cobalt03

you could easily "disable" your auto dimming mirror if you don't like it by simply not "re" connecting it? I guess you'd kill your compass though as well, which I would prefer not to do. Hmm, just thinking out loud as I contemplate the tinting issue and concern that a dark tint combined with the dimming mirror will eliminate rear visibility at night.

Great install though, radar detector is a near term purchase so likely I'll go this route!

Sarge

To hide all suggestions of further guilt from the 5-oh?

Rhoomba

... is easily accomplished with a very small, inexpensive piece of electrical tape placed over the sensor, front and center on the mirror unit.

Cobalt03

Do the sideview mirrors tint off the same sensor, meaning I'm shutting down the whole system? Thats my preference--thanks for the "practical" solution--good point!

RMcQ

problem automatically solved.

RostyVyg

part of the windshild, no one will ever notice anything, especially if you are using a black telephone cord.

ShowMeData

I'm not sure if they all work off the sensor in the inside mirror, but if you have uniform tint all around, you get the same net effect for rear- and side-view mirrors.