Attack

Hi Folks -

Just finished installing the V1 wired directly into the RX-8 and thought I'd share instructions. This message will contain the written instructions and pictures will follow.


This is really a pretty simple procedure, took about 30 minutes without directions and me figuring out which wires to use, etc.

I chose to wire directly into the home-link power in the rear view mirror. I prefer to have my detector shut off and on with the car, but instructions are also here for wiring with the detector constantly powered (you turn it on and off yourself)

What you'll need:

* A V1 Direct-wire kit, comes with the V1 or you can order another from http://www.valentine1.com
* A philips screwdriver
* A nut driver
* A pair of sharp-tipped cutters for cutting insulation around a bundle of wires that you don't want to damage

Steps:

1. Open the sunglasses holder and remove the two philips screws on the roof of the car. This took some muscle to get them going, especially the driver's side one

2. Pull the map-light/sunglass holder/sunroof switch unit out, pulling down from the windshield side at first, then pulling down to ease the unit out of the headliner.

3. Disconnect the power to the map lights and sunroof switches and set the unit aside. (Simple connectors that snap apart)

4. Disconnect the wire assembly from the back of the rear-view mirror. (Snaps out)

5. Slide the top wire cover above the rear view mirror off. Just slide down and pull toward you.

6. Pinch at the bottom of the lower wire cover to remove it.

7. Pull the rear-view-mirror wiring harness up through the headliner and down through the map light hole that you created by removing the unit above. This will allow you to work on the wires more easily and hide your work completely when you're done.

8. *Carefully* cut away the plastic surrounding the wires as close to the roof as you are able, exposing the 4 wires inside the bundle.

9. The all-black wire (or maybe it has a brown stripe, my eyes are getting old) will provide power only when the car is turned on. The red/black wire is constantly powered. From the V1 kit, attach the blue wire clip to the wire that will give you the behavior you desire.

10. Feed the red and black ends of the wires from the V1 kit through the front of the headliner where the rear view mirror wires pass.

11. Attach the red wire to the blue wire clip you just attached.

12. Attach the black wire to one of the hex nuts you see at the top of the map light comparment.

13. Position the plastic V1 power unit where you would like it... I attached it directly to the windshield with the supplied velcro attachment.

14. Pull the extra red and black wire up into the headliner, and feed the rear view mirror power harness back down to the rear view mirror.

15. Reassemble the rear view mirror by attaching the power cord and re-installing the two plastic pieces, they just snap back on.

16. Re-connect the map light and sunroof power connectors to the map light/sunroof unit. Remember to push the large block to the side before pusing the unit back up into the headliner, or there won't be room for the sunglass holder to operate properly.

17. Push the unit back up into the headliner

18. Replace the two phillips head screws in the sunglass holder

19. Mount your V1 on the windshield (or wherever you plan to put it) run the cable to the aux power box, and you're set.


You could alternatively fit the V1 power block into the headliner itself, I think, and just have a wire decending to the V1, but I haven't tried to see if it fits comfortably yet.


Hope this helps some of you...

Matt

MaRX8

could you post a picture of what your final installation looks like, I'm very curious..

Attack

The screws to remove

Attack

Removing the sunglass holder/map light/sunroof unit

Attack

Wiring harnesses to detach

Attack

Removing the plastic pieces that dress up the rear-view-mirror wiring harness

Attack

Removing the wiring harness from the rear view mirror

Attack

After removing the insulation, the four wires exposed

Attack

Blue splice clip attached

Attack

Two wires attached, (one red, one black), and the wires run through the front of the headliner

Attack

The power port attached

Attack

The completed install

Hercules

Wowzer, thanks!

I'm not going to use that unit though, instead I'll get a length of telephone cable and use that to directly wire the car... that jack is really an eyesore :\

MrWigggles

Attack,

Thanks very much for the pics and instructions. It takes a lot of time and effort to do a post like this.

-Mr. Wigggles

Spin9k

I did something like what you did, but just put the double RJ11 jack thingy up inside the headliner. So all that came out was a thin flat telephone wire I constructed about 6" long (in silver of course). Makes a nearly invisible install.

The other, and I think maybe easier part, is I didn't take apart, and use the mirror wiring. I instead used a large black wire coming out of the (larger) connector on the side going to the overhead assembly (***see the bunch of colored wires RIGHT IN FRONT in ATTACK's 3rd pic above w/big arrow pointing at it***) There are two black wires in there. To make sure you've got the right wire you can just use a voltmeter there to check what's live (red voltmeter lead to choosen connector wire, black to car chassis) while turning the key off/on.

Didn't have to strip anything, just clamp the V1 inline connector on it. Then plug and play! Works great. Sorry no pics of that, it's all back together.