E70 Hardwire Radar Detector with MirrorTap

[kern417]

I wanted to hard wire my radar detector and couldn't find any DIYs online to use the mirrortap that I used on my F32. It works the same way on every car, so I just had to play with the connectors to find a switched power and ground.

For reference, this was done on a 2010 X5. It may be different depending on model year/options, but the idea is the same. I got the 20" cord and it was a little long for where I wanted to mount my radar detector, but I figured I'd rather have too much than not enough and all lengths are the same price.

https://www.blendmount.com/mirrortap.html

Power = Pin 8 (grey/purple)
Ground = Pin 9 (brown/black)

Worked like a charm and no need to go into the headliner. Install was simple.

1. Use a trim tool and push it into the slit where the mirror covers meet and they'll pop off.
2. Pull out the mirror connector. You can pinch the sides to pull it straight out for more room for your fingers, then squeeze the top and bottom to pull it out of the harness.
3. Insert the MirrorTap adapters into the back of the plug. I used the largest blades in the kit to make sure i got a good connection and retention. It may take some force to push it all the way in, but make sure it's fully seated. Then plug the adapters into the main Mirrortap power wire.
4. Push the mirror plug back into the harness and tuck the harness back into its original place.
5. Mount your accesory where you want it and plug it in. Turn the car on and off to make sure it's working and switching on/off automatically. Remember that the harness must be plugged in for the power to work, so you have to plug it in to test functionality.
6. Once everything is verified, use the zip ties to bundle up any remaining power wire you have and tuck it up by the rest of the radar detector wiring. Leave enough loom to run out the top of the mirror covers.
7. Snap the covers back on making sure you don't pinch any wires.

The install took about 10 minutes including finding pins that worked. I knew that the black and brown wire are always ground and got switched power on my 2nd try. Hope this helps someone out.

[M5_1of400]

This is beautiful.. Thank you sir.

[BEM-S4]

Thanks! I ended up using the rain sensor (I think) but prefer your spot for power so will change it this weekend.

I bought a volt meter to try and figure out the right wires but gave up trying to use it.

[protecon]

There's plenty of E70 guides - most use power from overhead console (where I tapped my V1).

[kern417]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Thanks! I ended up using the rain sensor (I think) but prefer your spot for power so will change it this weekend.

I bought a volt meter to try and figure out the right wires but gave up trying to use it.

The main things are
1. You need an adapter to insert it into the plug. A standard multimeter lead won't fit.
2. You need to plug in the harness to get power. I got stuck on my F32 trying to get it to work and realized that the reason none of the wires were getting power was because it wasn't plugged in.

It's a little more tedious to plug and unplug every time so hopefully this helps people skip the guess work.

Originally Posted by protecon

There's plenty of E70 guides - most use power from overhead console (where I tapped my V1).

Understood, but to me this is more simple to install. I prefer to take off as few panels as possible, and this kit is specifically designed to use with mirrors even though it could technically be used with any compatible harness. I also saw a few posts mentioning that we may not have a switched power source in the mirror harness, so I wanted to dispel that myth.

Of course it's all personal preference, I just wanted to show another option that I hadn't seen mentioned or illustrated on xbimmers.

[BEM-S4]

It's great you did the hard part. Knowing which wires turns this into a 5 minute (or less) install that's pretty idiot proof.

[protecon]

If you're looking to tap into the overhead, I did a bunch of testing to make sure there was no difference between LHD and RHD.

Here's a map of the plugs once you get the console cover off (pull down from the edge closest to the windscreen).

[greddy91]

My disdain for suction cup mounting has no end. I used a firm mount around the rearview shaft. Took the plastic cover from the rain sensor and shaved a hole in the side to pass the cable through rather than coming all the way out the unsightly top.

Not dogging your install... two ways to skin a cat. The first time you come out to see your detector dangling from the wire though we'll have shared a moment.

[BEM-S4]

These are great and CHEAP!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F123043115438

[cbakking]

THIS IS GREAT!!! much simpler and better than overhead
I'll try to do this on weekend, quick question on how to pull the mirror cover - I just don't want to break anything....

1. Use a trim tool and push it into the slit where the mirror covers meet and they'll pop off.

Are you referring to point where two plastic are joined? or against windshield glass?
Thanks in advance!!

[kern417]

Originally Posted by greddy91

My disdain for suction cup mounting has no end. I used a firm mount around the rearview shaft. Took the plastic cover from the rain sensor and shaved a hole in the side to pass the cable through rather than coming all the way out the unsightly top.

Not dogging your install... two ways to skin a cat. The first time you come out to see your detector dangling from the wire though we'll have shared a moment.

Won't happen. This suction cup mount isn't a basic design. It's actually near impossible to take off after being on the car for a while, even with the little "finger" at the top that they provide to help peel it off. The surface itself is noticeably tacky if you touch it, and it needs to be cleaned with a wet cloth before application to make sure you get full surface contact. It also has a lever that pulls the center of the cup outwards after it's sealed to your window so it increases the suction effect.

But I understand your stance if you've used other simpler designs. Luckily this radar detector is extremely light as well, so it's not weighing it down like my old Escort.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

These are great and CHEAP!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F123043115438

also a good option.

Originally Posted by cbakking

THIS IS GREAT!!! much simpler and better than overhead
I'll try to do this on weekend, quick question on how to pull the mirror cover - I just don't want to break anything....

1. Use a trim tool and push it into the slit where the mirror covers meet and they'll pop off.

Are you referring to point where two plastic are joined? or against windshield glass?
Thanks in advance!!

Yep, there is a line down the middle and the two halves are clipped together. I used a trim tool to prevent any gouging, and i pushed it's edge in the crease. They just popped apart.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by kern417

Won't happen. This suction cup mount isn't a basic design. It's actually near impossible to take off after being on the car for a while, even with the little "finger" at the top that they provide to help peel it off. The surface itself is noticeably tacky if you touch it, and it needs to be cleaned with a wet cloth before application to make sure you get full surface contact. It also has a lever that pulls the center of the cup outwards after it's sealed to your window so it increases the suction effect.

But I understand your stance if you've used other simpler designs. Luckily this radar detector is extremely light as well, so it's not weighing it down like my old Escort.

also a good option.

Yep, there is a line down the middle and the two halves are clipped together. I used a trim tool to prevent any gouging, and i pushed it's edge in the crease. They just popped apart.

Just a heads up the new single suction cup is better for newer heavier detectors ie 360. I had the eBay sticker one for that and it vibrates like crazy.

The eBay sticker deal is a great replacement for the dual suction cup deal for the smaller models. I have one for the redline in the X5, and use big suction cup on 360 in M235.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Just a heads up the new single suction cup is better for newer heavier detectors ie 360. I had the eBay sticker one for that and it vibrates like crazy.

The eBay sticker deal is a great replacement for the dual suction cup deal for the smaller models. I have one for the redline in the X5, and use big suction cup on 360 in M235.

My double suction cup works great as well, so I leave it in the F32 with my other mirror tap. So all i have to do is unplug and swap.

The Uniden R3 is lighter than my computer mouse. Literally feels like nothing is inside. My 9500ix however was a tank haha. Regular suction cups didn't work well with that one, so I upgraded to the large single before selling it as a bundle to a friend and upgrading to the Uniden that thankfully came with 2 mounts out of the box.

[gsnake]

Originally Posted by kern417

My double suction cup works great as well, so I leave it in the F32 with my other mirror tap. So all i have to do is unplug and swap.

The Uniden R3 is lighter than my computer mouse. Literally feels like nothing is inside. My 9500ix however was a tank haha. Regular suction cups didn't work well with that one, so I upgraded to the large single before selling it as a bundle to a friend and upgrading to the Uniden that thankfully came with 2 mounts out of the box.

do you unplug it and hide every time you leave the car? kind of scary to leave such an expensive hardware in the car.. just curious..

[kern417]

Originally Posted by gsnake

do you unplug it and hide every time you leave the car? kind of scary to leave such an expensive hardware in the car.. just curious..

No

[greddy91]

Originally Posted by kern417

Won't happen. This suction cup mount isn't a basic design. It's actually near impossible to take off after being on the car for a while, even with the little "finger" at the top that they provide to help peel it off. The surface itself is noticeably tacky if you touch it, and it needs to be cleaned with a wet cloth before application to make sure you get full surface contact. It also has a lever that pulls the center of the cup outwards after it's sealed to your window so it increases the suction effect.

Oklahoma and Texas sun in the summer will murder any cups in use in my experience.

This is my go-to:

https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-M...detector+mount

but... if I had another to mount I'd try this next:

https://www.amazon.com/AccessoryBasi...detector+mount

[ntailor]

I use "blendmount"

I prefer the way it sits right under the mirror, doesn't stick out like the suction cups

[kern417]

The suction cup is tucked behind the mirror lol. It's no easier to see than a blendmount unless you're looking behind it. But again, I'm using this after trying a lot of different options and this one works great for me. The blend mount brings it to close to my line of sight, when in reality i'd prefer to mount the detector as high as possible. In my F32 with the low profile mount it's actually above the rear view mirror for optimal performance while being less invasive.

Regardless, it doesn't affect the hardwire install.

[cbakking]

I just want to double confirm on the power source?

Power = Pin 8 (grey/purple)
Ground = Pin 9 (brown/black)

vs.

Below is stating PIN 3 (Power) and PIN 10 (Ground)?
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...light=hardwire

Originally Posted by iDido

On my 2012 X5.
From the 10 pins plug:
Pin 3 is power.
Pin 10 is ground.
You can read my thread here: http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=927886

[kern417]

Originally Posted by cbakking

I just want to double confirm on the power source?

Power = Pin 8 (grey/purple)
Ground = Pin 9 (brown/black)

vs.

Below is stating PIN 3 (Power) and PIN 10 (Ground)?
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...light=hardwire

You can see in my closeup pic that I tapped into 8 and 9, but keep 2 things in mind:

1. Pin location may depend on your car's model year and options. For example, my car is a pre-LCI 2010 vs the quoted post is on an LCI 2012. Also my car has the smallest engine but otherwise pretty much fully loaded, but the person you quoted had a base model (based on the thread they linked, they upgraded their mirror to enable homelink and add the compass). Just know black and brown is always ground, so find that wire first.
2. It's possible that both locations offer switched power, i.e. one may be for homelink, one may be for the compass indicator, and there of course could be others as well. I didn't keep checking after I found one that worked.

It really doesn't hurt to try until you figure it out. It'll take an extra 60 seconds to unplug, move the power connector, and plug it back in. It won't hurt anything.

[cbakking]

Thanks kern417 for the info, mine is 2010 should be more aligned with yours I'll follow your direction first and see how it goes.
Thanks again!!!!

[drummr8]

I know this is an old thread, but I just did this on my 2012 (12/11 production date) and the pinning was Pin 3 Power, Green/White (KL15, switched) and Pin 10 Ground, Brown (KL31). The cable that I got off of ebay would not give a good connection when probing from the connector on the Upper/FZD side, so I had to probe from the lower/mirror pigtail side.