FRS Radar Detector Easy Hardwire

[Doc]

Hey guys. Here is FYI for FRS owners who want to hardwire their radar detector but don't want to run the wires to the fuse box or accessory plug.

If you pop out the dome light (grasp the edges and easily pull down, the plastic clamps will release and pop out). Feel around where the dome light hole is in the headliner and about an inch from the opening, towards the passengers side, you will feel wiring that is bundled with a grey foam at the end.

Easily pull the grey portion down. That unattached electrical connector is for the power rearview mirror on the BRZ and not used on the FRS. There are 3 wires (blue, black, grey). The middle black wire is the ground and the grey is the power and ONLY on when the ignition is on.

I used two small, blue, U shaped metal electrical connectors with half of the U cut off and stuck them in the back of the wiring harness (grey power, black ground), wrapped the connections some with electrical tape, then connected the hardwire kit that came with the V1. Secured all the wires so there was no rattle in the headliner. Reattached the dome light. This is just like using an invisicord.

Oh, you can feed the wire to the radar detector through the headliner towards the windshield, there is a small gap between the headliner and windshield.

Hope this helps. Doc.

[Carban]

Useful info. thanks.

[Calidrifter]

I believe that there is already a DIY about this.

But if its different then this is good info.

[Freeman]

Very useful, thanks

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Calidrifter

I believe that there is already a DIY about this.

But if its different then this is good info.

There is a DIY (thank you) for the BRZ to hardwire via the dome light by tapping into the rear-view mirror harness, but I didn't see one for the FRS. Even through the BRZ / FRS are twins, sometimes the wiring can be slightly different with twins.

I just wanted to share so that others know that the FRS does indeed have the rear-view mirror connector / harness, it is simply not used.

[Dtronic]

Thanks!

Going to try it this week.

[Scaldy]

Good info. Another DIY showed using the glove box's 12 volt connector as an option too.

[tbrocato]

thanks doc I will use this method instead of running into the glovebox.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Scaldy

Good info. Another DIY showed using the glove box's 12 volt connector as an option too.

Yes, that is another viable option. But why run the wires if there is no need to? I didn't even test it, but is the glove box accessory plug a constant power source or only "hot" when the ignition is turned to ACC or ON?

I found it rather interesting that they choose the glove box as an accessory outlet location. I may tap into that location for the LED footwell / interior lighting.

[avusblue]

Doc, the glove box accessory plug is only "hot" when the ignition is turned to ACC or ON.

Thanks for figuring out the overhead wiring for us. While I have my Valentine One currently powered by the glove box accessory plug, I may re-do it using the dome light power as you have done. Just seems cleaner, and it would free up the glove box plug for other purposes (potentially, LED footwell lighting).

Cheers!

[zaptorque]

Are radar detectors even useful anymore since it seems like all cops are using laser now?

[LIKEABOSS]

Thanks for the info. This is on the to-do list.

[knaa]

do you have any pics? those would help alot, i got a little confused halfway

[thejevans]

Originally Posted by zaptorque

Are radar detectors even useful anymore since it seems like all cops are using laser now?

It depends on the area. Where I live, radar is still widely used. Also, police cannot use ladar while moving, so they keep radar running in their cars to get the speed of the car in front and behind them. In that sense, it helps point out when a cop is coming up ahead, whether they are driving or not.