Which fuse location is best

[02A4inATL]

to plug my radar detector into. And no snide comments about speeding, please. Should I share the fuse with another system or choose a non committed one? Which one?

[ErikNYC]

***DISCLAMER*** DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS KIND OF WORK DO NOT ATTEMPT IT!! I DO NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CAR BLOWING UP OK!!

How I wired my V1 into my 2002 A4 1.8T

Instead of getting power from any one fuse from the front with one of those fuse taps (which I think look cheesy), I decided to go behind the fuse panel itself.

Remove the drivers knee panel and pull down the fuse box, which is literaly just a black "box". It can be pulled down after the 2 screws holding it in place are removed. The rear cover of this fuse box swings open.

I know its hard to see in the pic but there is one (Im guessing about 16 ga.) black wire that feeds like 3 or 4 other circuts. I tested this wire with a voltmeter and it switches on and off with the key. According to the fuse panel and the owners manual, the fuses that this one black wire feeds are for Nav or phone stuff. I really dont remember anymore but I know its not for anything sensitive otherwise I would not have tapped into it. Use this for the the 12v positive line for your detector. I used the "needle and thread" and then solder method to attach my V1's line to this wire.

I used one of the screws that secure the fuse box to attach a ground line. I then wraped the V1's "power module thingy" in foam(to avoid any rattles) and zip tied it up in the dash. Then obviously you need to run your line up the A-pillar or to where ever you decide to mount your radar detector. I chose to mount it above the rearview on the left side. If you do go up the A-pilliar and are concerned about the airbags, dont be. Just tuck the wire between the windshield glass and the a-pillar trim.




This is a pic of the black wire to tap into. You cant tell from the pic, but if you look at it once you get the fuse panel open you can see how it feeds other circuts. I circled in red the point at which the black wire actually ataches into the buss.





The ground connection





V1 mounted above mirror

[02A4inATL]

Thanks for your advise. I connected my phone, GPS and Passport 8500 to the (unused) heated seat position. My fusebox didnt pop out. All gadgets are clustered around my forward field of view and very cool. Sorry I don't have pics. All gadgets are fused and secure.

[BlueChipBMW]