Radar Detector/ Lane Departure Vibration Generator Question

[sjpons]

I am trying to wire up my Escort Passport 9500ci concealed radar detector in my F80 M3 so the when the system encounters radar, the vibration generator (that is typically for lane departure) also fires so that I can feel the radar/ laser warning, not just hear it. The Escort Passport has an output that can power the system. I didn't order my car with lane departure, but I did purchase the vibration generator (32337849416, image attached). Now I have the part. I hooked up a power supply to it and figured out what is ±. Ultimately, I promise I will post the entire install. For now, I am just have some install questions for the forum:

1) What is the best way to run the wire from the radar detector module (under driver side dash) to the mounted vibration generator in the steering wheel? Do I need to be concerned with movement of the wheel? Is there a connector that spins with the wheel?

2) What type of connector is this? I'd like to use the appropriate connector if I can, but otherwise will be forced to solder and somehow insulate this.

Thanks so much to everyone for the help!

[03Saleen]

What a genius and inventive idea. I had a problem years ago not hearing the detector going off because I listen to music very loudly. If you figure it out post a writeup on how to do it because I totally would do this mod.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by 03Saleen

What a genius and inventive idea. I had a problem years ago not hearing the detector going off because I listen to music very loudly. If you figure it out post a writeup on how to do it because I totally would do this mod.

+1

[MadZarBMR]

Brilliant! This thread might help you out with best way to route wiring.
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1204092

[sjpons]

Thanks guys. Hoping we can get some info on that connector and wiring routing. To expand a bit further since there seems to be interest, basically the yellow wire of the "Radio Mute" output of the Escort Passport 9500ci (same for Bel STI-r plus) connects a ground. All you need to do is put a simple relay in to power this so that whenever the radar detector sends a "mute" signal due to a threat, the vibration generator powers on. If I can find the right flasher relay I'd like to use that, more to come in that realm. Again, I'll post the final project when it is installed. I just need some guidance on wiring to the wheel. Thanks for the link MadZar, that's a start!

[03Saleen]

Does your vehicle have the executive package because I opted not to get it. I assume this still could be done even if I didn't get it.

[sjpons]

It does, but I don't think it would matter-- same steering wheel.

[milk242]

The steering wheel will have a clock spring. Hopefully BMW uses one clock spring for all packages. If they do, the vibration connection might already be there.

[Acree]

Incredibly awesome idea. I love these kind of projects. Electrical engineer here so I bet you we can get this figured out.

You definitely need to worry about the wiring as the rotation of the wheel will bind and ultimately break the wiring.

Do you know if the output on the Escort system is active high or active low?

[sjpons]

Milk and Acree thank you so much, you guys are so helpful on this forum. I will investigate wiring this into the clock spring. Does anyone know if the clock spring has extra wires running through it, for example for the lane departure on a car that doesn't have the feature?

Acree, the radar detector output, as I understand it, is to connect one of its outputs (that has no voltage reading as the system is on) to ground. So, I am thinking I can hook up this ground to one side of a coil on a relay and hook up the other side of the coil to the switched power that will run the radar detector. Is that sound logic from an EE perspective?

As for that connector in the picture does anyone recognize it? If not I'll have to brush up on my soldering skills.

Thanks again everyone!