Yes, yes, yes, I know I should have searched..and I did, for a little bit. But, I get the feeling reading through hundreds of threads will take more time than to have someone just reply. So, as I would guess, 50% of the board, I have a radar detector. Well, recently, my cigarette lighter died (probably from my small vacuum that plugs into the lighter. Anyway, this is a problem. How do I go about fixing it? Is it a simple fuse, or do I need to replace the whole lighting unit?

Also, what do people know about hand wiring radar detectors so they don't use the cigarette lighter? That seems like a better alternative than running a wire all the way up and down the dashboard in front of the stereo.

 

its most likely a fuse, just look thru the manual, as far as the hardwiring some people hook it up to the interior lights, so when it fades out then your radar turns off

 

Are there places you can go that do that kind of work, or is it pretty simple to do yourself?

 

It should be quite simple. 2 wires, one to a 12v source, and one ground. Just splice it into a source that turns on when you turn your key.

 

i got one of them dust busters that plug in there to. man that thing rocks. lol sorry i had to add that. g/l

 

There are two sources that i reccommend for hardwiring.

1. Behind the radio on the acc wire
2. On the ignition harness

The cig lighter is only a 10amp fuse i believe, so if you were using something that draws quite a bit, you probably blew it. Just use a meter or a test light and check your fuses or look in the manual as to which fuse it is. You may have taken out more than 1 fuse. So beware and check carefully.

 

you could even tap into the two wires that lead into the cigarette lighter for the radar detector. check your fuses and you'll be set. dont wires to the fuse box though....thats bad bingo man!!!

 

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