Mazdaspeed3 - Radar Detector (Direct Wire Install) w/ Glove box Removal

Courtesy: Krystim's Garage
Link: http://krystmsgarage.com/?p=29

Tools Required:
Philps Head Screwdriver
Soldering Iron
Heat Shrink / Electrical Tape
Add-a-Line mini fuse
Difficulty: 6 / 10
Time Required: 1 Hour +


Install:
This is going to be a pretty basic guide as the install is pretty simple. Also being that I have already removed my ash tray and replaced it with Sok07′s Custom Gauge Panel made for less work. To start the firs thing we have to do is get behind the glove box. To start you have to remove the long center piece that covers the screws to the glove box. Start by opening the glove box.



Once open feel underneath and you will feel a lip that you can grab onto, grab this and pull.




Remove the 2 Black Hex head (probably 10 mm) with a philips head screw driver. Once removed pull with a bit of force strait out for the glove box to come loose. Once you have pulled that remove the silver screw that holds the glove box light inplace and unlatch the light from the glovebox.



Once you have that removed you will have complete access to the fuse panel and a way to route the cable once you have hooked everything up. I started by finding a circuit that was on when the car was turned on. To do this I put a fuse in each of the empty sockets on the “add-a-lineâ€￾ looked at the panel which is on the bottom of the fuse block. Removed the 10A fuse for Ignition I think is the one I used turned the key and used a volt meter to make sure there was power coming out. (Sorry no pictures of that) The other wires I have in there are for my computer and screen so disregard those.



Pic of the fuse.



Here I have soldered the wire for the direct wire to the “add-a-lineâ€￾ Once this is done heat shrink or tape it up so none of the wire is exposed.



The ground point that I used is the bolt right next to the fuse panel you can see the yellow cap ring on it in this picture. Requires a 10 mm to remove place ring on and screw back into place.



Between the hooking up and putting the glove box back all I did was run the wire up the side pillar and across the headliner to where I was going to mount the detector. This isn’t all that hard, I found the hardest part was getting the wire in the crevasse between the pillar and airbag cover. I used a flat head screwdriver to essentially push it behind the pillar and dash. I placed the remote switch (not all models have this.) with my gauges.


Once you have hooked up the fuse and ground make sure that they are clear for the glove box to go back in. Push it in you should hear it click and re-insert the screws. The finish piece has a clip on it that you slide in to the left. Once that is in like the picture below you just push the rest of it strait in and it will snap into place.


Here it is mounted and turned on.