DIY: Center Console Mounted Radar Detector Mute Button

[Division]

By popular demand, here is my best attempt at a DYI for my first mod

Before:


After:





There are some gaps, but this should be more than enough to get you started. Note: For some of the pictures, I used a lighter plug assembly instead of the direct wire kit. The internals are identical - you should be able to connect the dots.

• Start by pulling apart the center console. You can stick your hand in the cup holder and just pull up. It will pop out with a little bit of force.
  
• (Thanks to tommyguns for pointing this out) Mark the switch blank with a piece of tape, indicating which end points forward. Apparently the switch blanks only fully snap in, in one direction.
  
• Using a flat head screwdriver, remove the switch blank you want to modify. There are two tabs on the ends holding it in place. Place it aside for later.
  
• Using an exacto knife, take a direct wire kit and gently remove the label from the top. Do not crease the label. Keep in a clean place for later.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Using a Small phillips bit, remove the screw(s) holding the direct wire kit together.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Remove the Printed Circuit Board [PCB] (that little green thing) from the plastic surround- its press fit on the center post and gently pops off.
  
  
  
  
  
• Returning to the switch blank- Using your choice of tools, remove the internal bracing from the inside of the switch blank:
  
  
  
  
• Using the label, mark the center point of the three holes. DO NOT CUT THROUGH THE LABEL, Mark then check. I used some scotch tape to hold it in place while I marked and checked. (remember to check which end points towards the front of the car - the switch blanks are not reversible.)
  
  
  
  
  
• Drill three pilot holes where you marked the center points.
  
  
  
  
• Sadly I don't remember the sizes I used for the actual holes, but a nice step bit does the trick.
  
  
  
  The two holes for the LED's ended up being connected, but it doesn't really matter- the label will cover up most of your handy work.
  
  
  -Now for the fun part-
  
• You will need to take a dremel with a sanding cylinder to widen the switch blank enough to accommodate the PCB from the direct wire kit.
  
• For smoother operation, I recommend sanding the collar off of the mute button. The button just pops off, it'll look like a top hat, with a small flange at the bottom. Sand the 'brim' off until it looks just like a 55 gallon drum (only really small)...
  
  I ended up just sanding a bit off the blank, and trying to fit the two together. Be careful not to rip the wires off the PCB while you're test fitting.
  
  Once you've got it flush, and the button clicking smooth, use some hot glue to fix it in place. I used some rubber contact cement to re-affix the label to the switch blank.
  
  
• As far as power is concerned, you can either tap into the cigarette lighter located in the center console (there is a connector located just in front of the gear shift, look for the yellow/black wire combo) or run the wire back to the Fuse panel.
  See this thread for some examples
  
• Once you have power, you'll have to run the wire back up to the Radar detector. The cable is almost the exact length needed to run from the center console,to the center of the windshield via the passengers side A pillar.
  
  Good Luck!

[AK370Z]

DIVISION,
Thank you for this DIY. I have asked Matt to do this on his spare time with the power cord of my Escort Passport. This is a cool DIY.

thanks again

AK

[cotizi]

I love this DIY. I really need to get un-lazy and reroute my current setup.

[tommyguns]

It's a great DIY and not hard at all. The best part is when I turn on the ignition I don't have to reach to silence the detector, it's all at my finger tips now.
Thanks again for the great write-up.

[pulpz]

Nice. ..I may do the same with my Passport

[370Zsteve]

GREAT DIY, nice pics. Thanks!

[Danny3.7]

You're a damn genius!!

[MichaelNguyen]

i just did my setup like yours but didnt have all the tools to complete the mute button but everything worked out great thanks for a great write up. so for now the mute button is just sitting under the cupholder.

[Division]

Saw a few Escort posts lately, maybe time for a bump

[Boost_lee]

I'd like to bump this up, simply because I put this DIY to use today. Came out great and I love it.

I used the actual escort hardwire kit and it was about 12-18 inches short for me, but I just extended some wires and soldered them in. I routed the wires from the cup holder straight through the bottom of the center console. Crossed under the passenger carpet, and up the passenger A pillar.

I opted for the cigarette lighter power. I unhooked the harness and left the console cig lighter unplugged. Then I just used the normal size female electrical connectors and they plug right into the other end of the harness. Very easy and 100% reversible wiring.

Thanks again for the DIY

[WestCo Scott]

This looks like a great DIY mod and you executed it it perfectly

-Scott@TheNismoShop

[eastwest2300]

I just did this mod, and I love it, great job on the DIY!

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by Boost_lee

I'd like to bump this up, simply because I put this DIY to use today. Came out great and I love it.

I used the actual escort hardwire kit and it was about 12-18 inches short for me, but I just extended some wires and soldered them in. I routed the wires from the cup holder straight through the bottom of the center console. Crossed under the passenger carpet, and up the passenger A pillar.

I opted for the cigarette lighter power. I unhooked the harness and left the console cig lighter unplugged. Then I just used the normal size female electrical connectors and they plug right into the other end of the harness. Very easy and 100% reversible wiring.

Thanks again for the DIY

hmmm. I'm in the middle of waiting for my glue to dry and still deciding on power.....

...perhaps I'll try your way

[Footloose301]

Thanks for the DIY. I ended up chopping up an old cell phone charger and used the wire to run power from the passenger side cigarette lighter(spliced in the back), to the mute button. Couldn't seem to get my hands to grab the one at the console. I used a Dremel tool and Loctite Ultra Gel for my install.

One thing I really didn't like about this outcome was the headliner. Trying to run that coiled up wire behind the headliner resulted in a non factory finish there but nobody will notice except myself. I'm also not too fond of going around the A pillar near the air bags Made me nervous.

Everything else came out great. The wire was long enough to reach from the button, around the shifter, behind the glove comparment, and up the passenger side A pillar, right up to the mirror where it plugged into the Escort 9500ix.

[Svre46]

I did this with my X50...worked out great. Thanks for the diy.