MirrorTap
 

I've read some good DIY guides on installing radar detectors with either mirrortap or invisacord. My problem is I can't seem to find a close up picture (or diagram) of where the actual prongs plug into. I'm also struggling trying to unplug the plug in the back of the mirror. Is there a release tab that I'm missing? I feel like if I use a lot of force I'm going to break it...
As you can tell I'm not handy with electronics so any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

you dont need to remove the harness from the mirror to push the pin into the backend of the individual terminals. :)

all you need to do is make solid contact with the invisicord pin.

Mr. Kenchan is correct -- I had no trouble at all installing my stealth cable. The ends of the wires are nice and stiff and you just push them into the mirror's connector at the appropriate wire. It works like a champ.

Thanks, that makes it easier. But, which slots do I put the wires in? Anyone of a picture of there's installed?

It is hard to take a picture because it is all behind the mirror. The diagram that comes with the wire is very easy to follow.

on my gentex mirror with homelink:

black/white is for switched 12v.
center black wire is ground.

depending on which mirror you got, it might be different, but at least on mine that's how it is.

Nice... this project next!

The diagram I have is a bit confusing because it shows a different wiring harness. But, I take I'll just put the red wire in the slot above the red wire that's already there and same for the black? They seem really loose when I put them in there, is that normal? Also how far down show they go?

For some reason I can't get the two prongs to fit into the same slots as the ground and power. I feel like I'm going to break them if I use any more force, I can only get them in maybe 1/5 of the way down the tip at best. Then they just fall right out when I let go...

how about you just hard wire the unit to the fuse box?

Amazon.com: mini fuse tap: Automotive

Thanks, but I already bought the mirrortap and want to use that. I had my radar detector hard wired to the fuse box in my last car and I really don't want to mess around with removing trim pieces again. I thought the mirrortap would be an easier install, and I know it's me that's making this complicated. I just feel like whatever I do with the mirrortap is going to break something.

Did you have to out a lot of pressure to fit the wires in the same slots at the red/black ones?

You should just follow the instructions on the second half of my post it's to the point and really easy. :tiphat:

How to Hardwire a Radar Detector

Nice DIY, and thanks for the tips. I hate to sound rude but I don't think your method is not for me. I don't want to cut the sleeve or anything. All I really want is to figure out why my mirrortap doesn't seem to fit and/or what I'm doing wrong (besides me being an idiot, this shouldn't be as hard as I'm making it out to be I know). But, out of curiosity where did you get that tool for removing the wire clip? If you mentioned that in your DIY I must of missed it. Sorry about that.

If it helps I can post pics of what I'm trying to do and maybe someone can tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Off Invisicord's website

Guidelines on Using a Voltmeter to Locate Power and Ground
First set your voltmeter to the continuity setting (should beep when you touch the red and black probes together, telling you they are shorted)
Find a ground on the car somewhere, like a bolt under the dash, or a metal cross member.
Put the black probe on that ground, and touch the back of each exposed wire connector in the mirror harness with the red probe.
For each wire that beeps, that means that wire is grounded. Turn the inition to the on position, then back to off, and make sure it beeps regardless of ignition position.
Put the voltmeter into VDC mode, to measure DC volts, turn the ignition to the on position.
Put the black probe on the ground wire found in #4.
Touch each of the wires in that harness with the red probe, and note which one(s) gives you +12-14 volts, turn the ignition off to verify that the volt readings go down to zero or close to zero.
That should define which two ports in that harness into which you would plug the Invisicord, the black Invisicord heat shrink connector into #4 above, and the yellow to #7.

Thanks, but what do I do after that? That's where I'm stuck. I can't seem to get the probes to fit, I push them in and they don't go in very much and fall out. The directions say not to use a lot of force, and I feel like I'm going to break something. I've tried pushing the power/ground wires to the side and tried to force the morrortap wires next to them but they just don't fit. Has anyone had to shave down they morrortap wires to make them fit? I'm out of ideas.

Not rude...just seems your having a harder time and is taking you longer than is necessary. My motto with modding is if its supposed to take an hour to mod and it is now 2 days, time to do something different. With my setup it takes no more than 10 mins, but to each is own.

Are you talking about the clip for the wire block that goes into the mirror or the clip for the windshield?

the wire block into the mirror i just pinched the block with one hand and tugged on the wire with the other to pull it out, very simple.

the windshield clip you just pinch at the "Y" and pull towards the headliner.

I was talking about the clip that goes into the mirror. I originally tried unplugging it and can't get it off. Someone on here suggest that I don't need to unplug it and just put the mirrortap prongs in the appropriate slots. As you already know, I'm having trouble getting them to for on the number 6 and 8 slot.

I pulled my plug from the back of mirror, black and red power, black and silver ground. I took my plug apart to get the leads to sit on top of the wires. One thing I have noticed is my range for garage door is shorter.

Has anything else experienced this?

Not with my write up. I havent had any issues. The only reason i could imagine you would have this issue is the ivisicord is is taking up some of the room and not allowing a good contact with the mirror contacts.

Did you try asking one of the guys from Seattle to help/show you that has this on their car? The clip there's a small tab that releases it.. don't yank it out. It's been awhile since I did mine.. but I remember there's a small tab that releases the plug.

Haven't asked anyone locally but that's a good idea. I'm going to try to work on it later today and if I can't get it to fit I'll post in the local forum.
Is that clip you're talking about on the bottom of the harness (not sure if that's what it's called)? To me it looks like there's a little clip there but my fingernail isn't long enough to really get a good grip on it.

I'm wonder if it's because of the added power taking up by the radar detector.
Meaning, if you turn the radar detector off while still plugged in will you get the normal range back?

I used a small flat head.. if you can't get the tab.. my fingers are fat.. so I used a small flat head.. press down the tab and pull it out. But yeah get someone local to help you before anything messes up... you will be more frustrated if break something lol

I have mine hard wired and I dont have any range issues with my garage door opener while the detector is on.

That's good to hear. Did you get the mirror tap prongs inserted on the top bottom left or right of the main power/ground mirror wires?

No I did this...

Yeah, I still feel like I'm going to break something by jamming these prongs into the mirror. I'm going to guess no one is going to recommend taking it to car toys or something?

Those prongs do have a good amount of resistance. When i installed mine i remember having to push a good amount of force to get the prongs in. I can take a picture of it and post it here later if you need it.

Did you try posting in the the local to see if anyone could help you yet? I see a lot of members from Seattle on the forum...im pretty sure someone could help you out

If you don't mind a picture would help me out greatly. Just so I can see how far down they go, what side of the main wire you put them on, etc. Thanks.

It doesn't bother me, the garage door still opens.

uhhh... this is suppose to be an EASY and QUICK upgrade? :ugh2:

I agree, and I'm sure it's just me being an idiot and missing something completely obvious. I just feel like I'm going to break something with the amount of force I use just to get the prongs in a little bit (and then they just fall out when I let go).

When i installed my MirrorTap, I remember I had to use a lot of force to get those things to slip in next to the wires. I had to play around on all four sides of the Wire to see which side easily went in a little bit first, then pushed down further with force until it was in all the way. I think I even initially bent the connector prong since I was on a side that was tighter than one of the other 3 sides, but bent it back in shape tried a different side and it went in. It is a lot easier if you remove the harness from the mirror as well.

Here are some pics of it installed. The prongs go all the way in. I wouldnt shave them down.

just find the right place to push through.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps1dc1c89b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psee7aece3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psc78bc7c0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps180b3963.jpg

Thanks! That's really helpful!

For some reason I can't see the photos lol