DIY: V1 Radar Detector Install

[Bill B.]

There are several DIYs available for hardwiring a V1 in many different BMWs, and the X1 install is practically identical to the 1XX. But, I figured I'd provide a write-up for the X1.

Purpose
This installation is to hardwire a windshield mounted V1 radar detector to an ignition enabled fuse.

Tools Required
Philips screwdrivers
Torx drivers
Nylon trim removal tools
Wire cutters, strippers, crimpers

Supplies Used
Valentine Direct-Wire Power Adapter Kit #00030
WirthCo 30103 Tapa Circuit for ATM Mini Fuse Blocks
Wire Ties
Locktite (optional)


Step 1- Lower Trim
Remove the lower trim panel beneath the glove box, held with two screws and one tab. After removing the screws, drop down and pull toward the seat to remove.

[Bill B.]

Step 2 -remove glove box

Empty the glove box and remove the piston on the right side. Drop the glove box forward by pressing in on each side to free the stop tabs.

Unscrew the four screws holding the two pivot rod brackets.

[Bill B.]

Step 3 - Remove A pillar trim
Probably the most difficult part of the install is removing this trim.

SINCE THE AIRBAG IS UNDER THIS TRIM, YOU MIGHT WANT TO REMOVE POWER BEFORE CONTINUING

First, remove the airbag cap covering the single torx bolt holding the trim to the car. Using a small pick to carefully get under the cover, gently lift until you can squeeze the two tabs and lift off.

Next, Unbolt the torx bolt. It is held with locktite blue so it will take a little effort to unscrew.

Now, two tabs are holding the pillar to the car, so pulling the pillar toward the rear of the car, and up, while wiggling will eventually loosen the pillar for removal. (SHORTCUT: Just pull the trim away from the pillar, removing the trim clips still attached to the pillar trim.)

[Bill B.]

Step 4 - Run Wire
With everything exposed, the 8 ft straight power cord can be fed from the windshield mount point all the way to the fuse box behind the glove box.

Leaving a few inches slack for the V1, the wire can easily be tucked up into the headliner with a nylon trim tool.

Where the headliner would be covered by the A trim pillar, care must be taken to wrap the wire appropriately.

Now, run the cable down the A pillar with the existing wire bundle. I used very small wire ties, turning the locking end away from the airbag, so there are no sharp edges.

Then, using a worklight shining from underneath the dash, the wire can be fed down through the dash. I used a ball chain and magnets to feed the wire, but a thin, flexible rod with the wire taped to it could also be used.

Collect all the slack wire around the metal dash mounting brackets to ensure its not rubbing against the sharp metal edges.

[Bill B.]

Step 5 - prepare power adapter
Since the tapa fuse includes a fuse, the fuse holder on the V1 power adapter is unnecessary. Cut the red wire before the fuse holder, strip, and insert into the crimp supplied on the end of the tapa fuse.

[Bill B.]

Step 6 - Install Power Adapter
The power adapter ground wire can be attached to the existing dash support bracket bolt. Spread the crimp fork slightly, and it will seat between the bolt head and existing washer.

Put the 2 amp fuse supplied by the V1 kit into the tapa fuse top slot. Then, plug in the tapa into empty fuse slot #5. This provides an ignition enabled source.

Connect the straight cable to the V1 adapter, and mount the adapter using the supplied velcro tape.

Test the V1.

[Bill B.]

Step 7 - buttoning up
Assembly is done in the reverse. A few notes: the A pillar trim is most easy to re-install by removing the two nylon clips from the metal pillar and sliding into the slots on the back of the pillar trim. This way, the trim can just be pushed back into place, instead of trying to slide it back into place.

You may want to use more locktite to reset the torx bolt holding the A pillar trim in place.

Replacing the glove box is easiest done by putting it back in place and closing it before trying to re-install the pivot rod brackets.

[phames]

If people have not been to the Valentine V1 site https://store.valentine1.com/store/ recently, you should check it out. They have a product called SAVVY that plugs into the OBD port on the driver's side for power, but it also has a thumbwheel to set a speed that it gets from the OBD port. At speeds equal to or lower than what is set on the wheel the V1 chirps once at full volume and then immediately mutes. Great for calming automatic door openers. They also have another product called BOB that seems to be a capacitor to boost the voltage to the V1 while the auto stop-start is starting. I installed both, I did not try it without the BOB device, so I don't know if the X1 starting voltage would reset the V1 or not. I basically followed the same instructions presented here, but on the driver's side A pillar.