Escort Hardwire .....Fail need help

[Waltj]

Hey fellas,

I'm in the process of attempting to hardwire my Escort 8500.

I've chosen the radio fuse to install. Last night I spent waaaaayyy too long trying to get it to work only to fail.

I initially tried to wire directly by wrapping wire directly around the fuse and inserting into box....Grounded at the brake pull......Turned on car radio works...No detector.

Went and purchased add a fuse....Put 25 amp fuse and 3 amp fuse in the buss...inserted back in the radio slot....Radio worked....No detector...

Pissed because this is a simple 15 min project that I have spent at least 2 hours and still failing.....

Has anyone hardwired their detector out there?? If so how'd you do it?

Thanks

Walt (failed hardwire installer)

 

[Vic_Ferrari2002]

If you must piggy back off of a used power source why not remove the radio and solder splice into the radio harness. It will have both the power and ground sources you require for your install. Just make sure you use the switched power wire to the radio and not the constant power wire. Wouldn't hurt to put that fuse in there, after the splice, either.

 

[FIND]

If you want a more reliable connection, and don't want to modify the existing vehicle wiring, a fuse tap would be your best option.

They sell them at any parts store, basically they are a fuse holder that plugs into your existing fuse. It holds 2 fuses, one for the original circuit, and the other for your new circuit, and it will have a wire coming out of it. Attach your power lead to the wire coming out of the fuse tap.

From there, make sure you are on a GOOD ground source. I keep a test light handy, just to make sure I have or find good grounds. Clip the ground clip of the test light to where you want to ground, and probe somewhere you know you have power. The test light will only light if you have a good ground.

Where are you installing your unit? I'm assuming the far driver's side corner bottom of your windshield, since that is where most people put it. If that is the case, just run your ground wire down behind the A pillar and kick panel cover. From there, attach an eyelet to your ground wire, and secure the eyelet using one of the screws that hold the dash trim to the metal substructure of the dash. They are easily accessible, and provide a decent body ground.

Good luck and if you need any more help or don't understand anything, please let us know.

 

[Waltj]

Find,

Thanks for the reply. I did purchase the fuse tap from autozone after the direct wire to the fuse box didnt work.

I grounded to the bolt behind the hood release. Now I havent tested how effective that ground location is but you have me thinking.

I was more successful this evening with my Acura TL direct wire project...So my skills arent completely void.

Vic,

Thanks for the alternative suggestion. May resort to that method if going directly to the fuse box doesnt pan out.

Walt

 

[FIND]

Make sure that when you connect your ground, it is contacting the metal part you want to ground to. Don't count on good continuity through bolts.