AudiWorld Forums: Yet ANOTHER Escort hard wire...

Finally got a chance to hardwire my Escort 8500. Thanks to Boston Driver for a sunshade switch he was not using, I was able to make the install pretty stealthy. Here's a pic...

You can see the Escort above the dash (I prefer it mounted there instead of high where it interferes with the visors). So what's with the sunshade button? First, here's a closeup...

I started out by scavenging an Escort SmartCord and ran the wires as follows:
- From the "Power On" LED to the illumination for the sunshade switch (pins 1 & 3)
- From the "Mute" button to the switch for the sunshade switch (pins 4 & 6)
- From the "Alert" LED to the orange LED I installed in the blank button on the right
- From the power leads, through a toggle switch underneath the dash, and then to the power (75X post under dash) & ground

All of the wiring goes through a small project box where the scavenged SmartCord sits and has all of my soldered connections. Here's a schematic of the project box...

Some notes on the wiring/installation:
- I ordered the SmartCord designed specifically for hardwiring from Amazon.com (free shipping). This came with some nice long cables and fuse.
- Never knew it, but LEDs are directional in their wiring. I had a dickens of a time getting the alert LED on the dash to work until I reversed the wiring at the SmartCord circuit board. Something to watch out for.
- Although not shown in the schematic, I removed the LEDs from the SmartCord circuit board.
- The mute button is connected to the circuit board via four pins. Use the inside two to run to the sunshade switch pins.
- I knotted all the cords inside the project box and used grommets keep the project box tight.
- Boston Driver's sunshade install post and his original SmartCord hardwire Tech Article provided invaluable assistance for things like how to remove the lower dash, radio, hazard surround, etc. You can also use the former to get the part numbers for the sunshade switch.

Here's how it functions:
- Toggle switch under dash gives me on/off control for Escort (power shuts off when ignition is off by virtue of being wired to 75X post)
- When system is on, sunshade button is illuminated; when off it is not (independent of headlight setting)
- When alert is activated by Escort, the orange LED on the right flashes (see pic below)
- Pressing sunshade button mutes alert -- very nice given the easy reach of this button when your hands are on the wheel

Here's a pic of the LED activated by an alert...

Works great and it's WONDERFUL to not have that dangling cord/open ash tray any more.

Thanks to BD for the sunshade switch and the inspiration from his original SmartCord hardwire.