Constant power point/cigarette lighter?

[click]

I just hooked up my radar dectector after replacing the fuse for the power point/cigarette lighting/power seat. So i plugged the radar detector into the power point(the one in the shifter bezel) and i turn off my car and in no matter what position the ignition is in ACC, RUN, OFF the power to the power is still on. THe radar wont turn off without me physically turning it off...

Is it supposed to be like that? Cause i know in my friends car when they turn the car off the radar detector turns off as well. I dont want to leave the detector on when im not even in the car.

 

[94-302-vert]

This sounds right to me. Every car is different in these regards.

Although in the mustang I never use the power outlet.

Chris

 

[WhiteDevil]

Yeah the cigerette lighter has constant power.

 

[wrecked98]

How ironic I was just going to create the a thread about the same topic! I just got a radar detector yesterday and I have the same problem.

Is there anyway to change it so it only comes on with the ignition?

 

[click]

I've been trying to fiddle around with it, and have yet to figure out a way. But yeah it's annoying switching the detector off every time i leave the car...

But i need a new mounting piece because when i step on the gas the detector flies off my mounting bracket into my lap, lol...

 

[donjohn]

you could always wire it to a different source. I you wanted, they sell the female ends to the cigarette adapters at like radio shack or frys and you could just wire that to another power source that turns on w/ the car

like the clock, or the easily accessable vert harness (every car has this even if you've got a coupe), or the radio, or light rheostat switch thing, or anything else to your hearts desire...

 

[HISSIN50]

if you do rewire it, be sure whatever source you choose can handle the extra draw (a detector is no biggie, but other items might be).

i would probably not use the rheostat - you will want a full 12 volt supply to the device/cig lighter. if someone turned the rheostat down............

i have not gotten around to testing both the cig lighter and accessory plug. one would have thought the accessory plug would be switched 12 volts.

good luck.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

What's the big deal about turning off a switch when you turn the car off

Down hear when you park, you have to remove the whole thing from the window anyway and hide it, or someone will break in and steal it.
RC

 

[wrecked98]

I just talked to one of my friends who has an 01 GT with the same problem and he says that he just leaves his radar detector on! he has done that for over a yea and has had no dead batteries yea. So I think I will start doing that!

-Tony

 

[KingDiamond]

My radar detector automatically turns off after a half hour I think. If there is no signal it is sensing then it automatically turns off to save the battery.

 

[89 blue lx]

Down hear when you park, you have to remove the whole thing from the window anyway and hide it, or someone will break in and steal it.

q


haha here too

 

[LoudToy958]

Just an FYI, there is a accessory wire under the dash you can use in the main harness. It is gray with a yellow stripe. Only works with the ignition on. Make sure you fuse anything that goes to these wires. These wires are capable of up to 20amps each. I would not recommend more than a 10amp draw however. I have my Gt radar hooked up like this for 6 years now. Works like a charm. You can use the ignition wire also, just make sure you use a fusable link on these wires as close to the connection as possible. Then you will have piece of mind in knowing it won't cause any damage.

12volts ------------ yellow + steering column
Starter ------------ white/pink + steering column
Ignition ------------ tan/white + steering column
Accessory --------- gray/yellow + steering column
Second Accessory - black/green + steering column

 

[davins130]

I made a trap door on my dashboard that opens and lowers my radar detecor down and then closes, i wired the button to my radio preset number 6 and it has to be on volume number 4 to work.

 

[donjohn]

I made a trap door on my dashboard that opens and lowers my radar detecor down and then closes, i wired the button to my radio preset number 6 and it has to be on volume number 4 to work.

that sounds interesting, got a pic?

 

[mo_dingo]

They sell what is called fuse taps, which slips over one of the tabs on the fuse, and has a male spade tab on it. All you do is take the positive wire and hook it up to a female spade connector. Then hook up the connector to the fuse tap, and you are ready to go.

Just use the fuse that comes on with the ignition. It should be labeled on the fuse panel. if not, get a test light and verify that the fuse only has power w/ ignition. Simple and easy fix.
Scott

 

[revhead347]

You can cut the wire to the wire to the cigarette lighter and run a relay in there. They are like $5 at Autozone/Adance. You can actuate the relay with the ACC power wire for the radio. Real easy fix, and all you have to do is pull that center panel out to do it.

Kurt