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      04-09-2019, 12:41 PM   #1
louscrw
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Radar Detector Hardwire

Has anyone attempted to hardwire a radar detector and/or dash cam in the G20 yet? I've been looking around trying to figure out the best location and haven't had any luck finding a switched 12V source. Here are some key points so far:

1. Fuse box in the trunk:
1.a. This location would work; however, there doesn't seem to be a good place to ground back there. Everything you can see/feel when removing the little cover piece exposing the fuse panel is plastic. Admittedly, I haven't removed any carpet to expose metal.

2. The fuse box in the passenger foot well:
2.a. This fuse panel seems to be ideal, several places to ground and shorter distance to run wire; however, I cannot find a switched 12V. Each fuse location I try is constant power. I haven't tested any of the mini fuses bc the AAC I have is standard, so I was hoping to find a standard fuse to use. If I need to purchase a mini AAC, I'm sure the $10 won't "break the bank" LOL.

3. Mirror tap set-up:
3.a This is by far the easiest answer. I've done it in all my vehicles and have the mirror tap wires already that I removed from my trade in; however, I have no idea which pins do what. There are two connectors under the mirror trim piece. A larger black one feeds wires into the mirror itself and the smaller red one. I'm assuming the red one is for rain sensing wipers (?)

I've called my local service dept, and they either were unwilling to tell me or just didn't know, but I got nothing out of them. I called a buddy of mine who works as a mechanic at an import shop, but he said they haven't received wire schematics or much information on the G20 yet.
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      04-09-2019, 03:22 PM   #2
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I did this with my F30



But to be honest with just about every vehicle being a radar transmitter these days, detectors are becoming useless. Instead of even turning mine on anymore I just use Waze.
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      04-09-2019, 04:07 PM   #3
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My last detectors had fits with all the new cars, but the ones I have now (Escort Redline in G20 and Escort Max 360 in my truck) very rarely trigger on cars’ safety sensors.

I’ve seen those setups like you have in other cars. Might be worth looking into if I cant figure something out
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      05-26-2019, 08:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by louscrw View Post
Has anyone attempted to hardwire a radar detector and/or dash cam in the G20 yet? I've been looking around trying to figure out the best location and haven't had any luck finding a switched 12V source. Here are some key points so far:

1. Fuse box in the trunk:
1.a. This location would work; however, there doesn't seem to be a good place to ground back there. Everything you can see/feel when removing the little cover piece exposing the fuse panel is plastic. Admittedly, I haven't removed any carpet to expose metal.

2. The fuse box in the passenger foot well:
2.a. This fuse panel seems to be ideal, several places to ground and shorter distance to run wire; however, I cannot find a switched 12V. Each fuse location I try is constant power. I haven't tested any of the mini fuses bc the AAC I have is standard, so I was hoping to find a standard fuse to use. If I need to purchase a mini AAC, I'm sure the $10 won't "break the bank" LOL.

3. Mirror tap set-up:
3.a This is by far the easiest answer. I've done it in all my vehicles and have the mirror tap wires already that I removed from my trade in; however, I have no idea which pins do what. There are two connectors under the mirror trim piece. A larger black one feeds wires into the mirror itself and the smaller red one. I'm assuming the red one is for rain sensing wipers (?)

I've called my local service dept, and they either were unwilling to tell me or just didn't know, but I got nothing out of them. I called a buddy of mine who works as a mechanic at an import shop, but he said they haven't received wire schematics or much information on the G20 yet.

Did you ever find a spot?
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      05-27-2019, 08:42 AM   #5
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I would like to hardwire my RD to my mirror mount however, I agree that with today's BSDs and autonomous vehicles, false alarms impossible to tune out. I have resorted to Waze which works extremely well in the G20.
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      06-15-2019, 02:29 PM   #6
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Any updates??
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      06-16-2019, 09:21 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DocB View Post
I would like to hardwire my RD to my mirror mount however, I agree that with today's BSDs and autonomous vehicles, false alarms impossible to tune out. I have resorted to Waze which works extremely well in the G20.
Agreed. Waze is the way to go and significantly more accurate
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      07-03-2019, 07:25 PM   #8
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Sunroof?

Will later be in similar position and wondering if not able to hardwire via sunroof? Have done this with previous BMWs and would think be able to do same with M340i unless BMW has changed wiring around now.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...9#post16506202
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      10-11-2019, 01:11 PM   #9
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Did anyone end up doing this?
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      10-11-2019, 04:50 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturbolife View Post
Did anyone end up doing this?
I ended up using the mirror tap from my F10 but have not finalized my install yet. I can take pics if anyone is interested.

One thing I figured out it that I need a new radar detector as my Passport 9500 doesn't like the G20 AT ALL even with gesture control turned off.

Hard-wiring a dash-cam isn't any different than other BMWs
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      10-12-2019, 02:58 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TTG View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by tturbolife View Post
Did anyone end up doing this?
I ended up using the mirror tap from my F10 but have not finalized my install yet. I can take pics if anyone is interested.

One thing I figured out it that I need a new radar detector as my Passport 9500 doesn't like the G20 AT ALL even with gesture control turned off.

Hard-wiring a dash-cam isn't any different than other BMWs
How hard was it getting to the wires? Anything to look out for?

My Max 360 laser alert was going off constantly, I turned it off because laser alert is pretty useless anyway
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      10-13-2019, 07:15 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturbolife View Post
How hard was it getting to the wires? Anything to look out for?

My Max 360 laser alert was going off constantly, I turned it off because laser alert is pretty useless anyway
Super easy, Take the plastic mirror cover off that is attached to windshield and you will see the wires. I think I tapped mine to brown and one of the red wires.

May be before going and buying another detector, I should try turning off the laser. But I am due for a new detector, thinking about picking up a the new Max360C.....wonder how that will behave in this car?
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Last edited by TTG; 10-16-2019 at 11:49 PM..
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      10-16-2019, 10:04 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TTG View Post
Super easy, Take the plastic mirror cover off that is attached to windshield and you will see the wires. I think I tapped mine to brown and one of the red wires.

May before going and buying another detector, I should try turning off the laser. But I am due for a new detector, thinking about picking up a the new Max360C.....wonder how that will behave in this car?
You should be able to configure it to only alert on the bands you need. In CA for example only 2 KA bands are used, so everything else gets turned off and you have 0 false alarms.
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      10-16-2019, 11:51 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gpdriver17 View Post
You should be able to configure it to only alert on the bands you need. In CA for example only 2 KA bands are used, so everything else gets turned off and you have 0 false alarms.
I did turn off Laser and it is behaving much better now. But here in WA our State Patrol do use laser.......but then, once they buzz you, its too late anyway.
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      10-21-2019, 06:35 PM   #15
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Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) filtering is fantastic in most modern Radar Detectors. I use the Radenso XP which is very quiet, Radenso has the best reputation for BSM filtering. Radenso & Valentine are coming out with new detectors shortly. Some vehicle makes are very problematic for BSM filtering so they punch through.

Expecting December delivery of a 2020 M340 currently in production.
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      10-25-2019, 07:40 PM   #16
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I tapped mine to the 12v and ground of the top wires with the pink connector but it looks like they are always live. Do you know which you used that are switched?
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      10-26-2019, 11:00 AM   #17
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Made a DIY here:
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...3#post25390353
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      10-31-2019, 09:38 AM   #18
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Thanks tturbolife! Was waiting for someone to do this before I started messing with my car for fear of damaging something
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      02-09-2020, 03:01 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturbolife View Post
I tapped mine to the 12v and ground of the top wires with the pink connector but it looks like they are always live. Do you know which you used that are switched?
Do you happen to remember which 12v wire you tapped originally that was always live? I plan on using this method for powering a dashcam with always-on parking mode recording. Thx.
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