This is a fairly quick and easy mod to do, and it will enable you to have a radar detector (or perhaps a heads up display) that will turn on an off with the ignition. I'm documenting this mod after the fact, but you should get the idea. You will need a 'vampire' type power tap and a lighter socket extention cord (it plugs into your lighter socket and has a standard size lighter socket up on the other end), a phillips screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and about 20 minutes. If you don't mind cutting up the lighter plug that came with your radar detector, you can skip buying the extension and just cut up the lighter socket plug that came with your detector. I wanted to keep mine intact, and be able to use this for a heads hp display in the future, so I installed the socket instead. Comments and questions are always welcome!
Before starting, take and cut the lighter extension wire about 4 inches short of the plug, and strip the coating on the wires back. On mine, the wires were conveniently red for + and white for -. Yours might differ slightly. With that done, you are ready to start.
In this picture, you can see the plastic trim panel that covers the area underneath your steering colum. The three red dots mark the approximate location of the fasteners holding this piece on; 2 screws and one plastic trim plug. In addition to these 3 fasteners, there are two 'clips' on either side of the opening for the steering wheel. These will just pull right out once the three fasteners are removed.
In this picture, you can see the plastic trim plug's location (right next to the red dot). You need to put a phillips (+) headed screwdriver in and turn about 1/4 of a turn. The center piece will pop up a little bit, and you can pull it out. Gently tug on the remaining outside piece, and it will come right out.
In this picture, you see one of the two screws, right by the pull for the hood release. Just unscrew that and put it aside.
The red dot marks the location of the second screw holding the dash trim on. Unscrew this last screw, and then pull the whole sheet of plastic out towards the driver's seat gently. Be careful! The harnesses for the foglights, cruise control, and the OBD-II diagnostic port all are attached to the plastic!
In this picture, you can see the wiring harness running to the foglamp and cruise control switches (they are taped together at the factory on the 2000 RS- that may differ on other years). You are looking for the only solid light blue wire in this bundle- it is a switched power wire, and is what you will use to tap for the + power side. Put one side of the tap on the blue wire, and run the + wire from the lighter socket into the other side and lock down the tap with the pliers. You can see where I tucked the socket to keep it out of harm's way when you replace the plastic trim around the steering column.
WRX OWNERS NOTE: It has come to my attention that the wire you are looking to tap into for switched 12V power is solid red, and it is located on the blue connector that you can see above and to the right of the red vampire tap in the above photo.
In this picture, you can see where I ran the - wire to ground it out. There is a large screw just to the right of the fuse box. Back this screw out a little, and run the ground wire underneath it and tighten down. At this point, it would be good to plug in your radar detector or heads up display and make sure when you turn the ignition on, the device turns on. If not, check your tap and ground (most likely the ground) and try again.
In this picture, you can see where I ran the wires for my radar detector. The plug comes out up at the very top of the dash in the corner of the window, and then I ran it behind the trim panel for the top of the dash, around and under the metal framing, over the fuse box, and over to the plug. Once the lower dash trim is replaced, all you see is the plug at the very top.
Finished, and well hidden!
Standard Disclaimer: Modification of your car involves risks and may void your warranty. I can not be held responsible for the modifications you consciously decide to undertake nor for the results of doing so.
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