DIY: Valentine 1 HardWire (pix heavy)
 

I know I know, there are 13,000 threads on how to hard wire these things in. This is partially a log for myself, as well as to help anyone who had to try and find all the information between each of those threads just to get it working right.

So I called v1, asked for a refurb as MANY formus said to do. Unlike others they told me they had a refurb in stock and sent it right away. $370.41 shipped, so ~10% off, not bad.

Parts:

Valentine 1 $370.41
Hardwire kit (included with v1)
Mini Add-A-Line (AutoZone part#: 032416) $7.41
countryjoycrafts Z v1 stationary mount $25.00 (used)
15 mini-fuse < $1.00

Cap Screw Socket (5mm x 20mm) to fix countryjoycrafts 3/4" mount $.66

Tools:

Phillips & Straight screw driver
12mm Socket
#20 star bit (not sure the actual name)

References:

Fuse tap: http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...tml#post335587
AK370Z's Escort Install: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...tml#post294912
Semtex's Install: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...-hardwire.html
jik head's Remove Rear View Mirror: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...tallation.html

Install:
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To start, I got the Z mount for the V1 off of another forum for half price. It was from a G37 owner who said it didn't fit his car, but it would a 370z. Well, although I thought that could be wrong, at half price I did it anyways. Well, I was wrong, it didn't fit. But with new bolts (see parts) and a dremel, you can make anything happen. The screws I got were longer, but didn't have the correct thread count. They only went in a little bit, but it was enough to make it work. See picture!

1. Remove the rear-view mirror (see references). This will make running the cable easier.
2. Now with the rear view mirror gone, run the phone cable up to the head liner and to the driver side A pillar.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
You want your cable to go PAST the rear view mirror cable (homelink) power cable, and under it.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
3. Attach your v1 mount to the rear view mirror. In my case if you bought the one that is too small, some m5 replacements that are longer are ~.66$ at Home Depot. Although there is still a gap, its functional, and no one ever sees back there.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
(notice how i dremeled the curve out a little on the bottom, and have longer screws.
4. Re-attach the rear view mirror, and when putting the black plastic cable management piece back on, run your phone cable the same way the homelink cable is.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
5. Now, slightly detach your a-pillar, you can do this with your hands, just grab and tug/rock it, you only need a little clearance. Run your cable to the weather stripping.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
6. With a flat head, run your cable down the weather stripping to the bottom corner molding.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
7. Remove this bottom corner molding, there is a plastic type nut by the clutch, then it has 2 clips that pop off just by tugging. You have to detach the door sill plastic piece from this corner piece to get it free.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
8. I mounted my hardwire kit on a piece of white plastic above the fuse box by the feet. There is enough room there so it is out of the way, yet still accessible.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
9. Mount the piece, and run your phone cable behind all of the wiring there to the cylinder.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
10. Run your ground wire the same way the phone cable is, and there is a bolt that can be used as a ground. You will have to expand the prong on the ground wire, but no biggy. Bolt is a size 12mm.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
11. Cut the end off of the red cable from the hardwire kit, it is not needed.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
12. With fuse add-a-line kit, put the 2 fuse in the top, section by the wire that comes off, and now crimp the end of the wire to the red wire from the hardwire kit.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
13. Remove the 15 mini-fuse from the right side of the fuse box; it should be the 5th down (cigarette lighter). Put in your add-a-line kit so the wire goes to the LEFT.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
14. Turn on the car (acc), and your radar should start up. If it doesn't, check your fuse is in, not blown, in the correct spot, and not with the cable going to the clutch.
15. Remove your add-a-line kit, and add put a 15 mini-fuse in the bottom spot of the add-a-line kit. Plug the kit back in, and put everything back on, you’re done!
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg

Finished Product:
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...ediumSmall.jpg

I don't think any DIY's are discouraged, nice write up.

update to use photobucket so the pix are inline and this is *actually* useful.

Thanks for the write up! You just made my install real easy...

your feet looks like you got like 5 people working in tight space. :D

Will this install be useful for Any detector, or is it pretty native to just the V1?

It was raining out for the 2nd half of the install, and working with that fuse panel area w/ the door closed is pretty difficult.

Really the only difference between v1 and any other detector when hardwiring is the "inbetween" piece. They always have 1 ground and 1 power that can be connected to the same exact spots, and they always end in something that goes to the detector (rj-11 in most cases). The inbetween in this case was the little cylinder. My last detector was a beltronic, and it had a mute button, so i would have mounted that in an easy accessible place. All the connection points and spots to run cable to hide it are the same though

Thanks for the DIY! I used it on my install, and it made it quick and easy :tiphat:

Awesome, I'm looking at either the V1 or the 9500xi... Not 100% sure which one to go with yet. So I'll be using this as the basis of whichever install I go with. :tup:

OP, awesome contribution to the forum and +rep provided. But, why not just use invisicord? Much easier for us touring guys.

v1 has a 2 (amp?) fuse, and I feel alot safer having a 400$ device on its own fuse from the factory than on whatever the line is coming down teh pipes (5, 15?)

Plus I also installed the remote display, so I needed to run the wires anyways.

The only thing I did different was ground it on the bolt that holds the fuse box.
It's a little smaller, so it was an easier fit.

I know this will benefit 370z non-touring users, but any reason why you didnt tap into the power from the Auto-dimming mirror? (i.e. invisicord?)

Both two posts above you just answered that very same question.

Good lookin out!

Definitely going to do this, however, I've seen pictures (I think on Autotrader?) of someone who installed a beltronics STI and had the mute button mounted in that spot in the center console between the seat warmer switches. Looked pretty slick. Anybody try that? Is there any tips for getting into that center console area?

If I try it, I'll see if I can add an amendment to this DIY.

Thanks for the write up! Just did this install and it was a breeze. The only thing is I had to install the add a line the opposite direction with the wire going towards the clutch.

Clean install

did the z emblem came with the original mount?

Used this DIY as a baseline for my V1 install today, good stuff! Thanks OP. One thing I came across that concerned me was that all the MINI Add-a-line's I found at the local parts stores were only rated to 10Amps and this DIY was using the 15Amp slot for the cig lighter. As a precautionary measure I decided to tap into the 10Amp slot just below the 15A called out here. This is the 10Amp that is marked "audio/mirror". I did a test hook-up before running all the wires and it seems to work just fine. Anyone else run into/notice this during their installs?

N8GTOL, I installed my V1 via direct hardwire last week and used the same 10A audio/mirror fuse position. It too is a switched circuit and it works great. I have had V1's for 15 years and once you have the 'arrows' with great sensitivity, you never go back to anything else!!! :driving: :driving: :driving:

So quick question. I have 370z base. So my rear view mirror doesnt have any wires attached. my rear view mirror is attached to the front windshield... how should i approach this?

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to say thanks for putting the guide together. I followed it last night to install my V1 and it was a breeze. I followed the advice of some other members and plugged into the 10amp fuse below the one in the guide and everything worked perfectly.

No Prob!
I actually used this (my own) thread to do the same install in my friend's nismo a week or two ago.

I need some help. My radar is not turning on. I don't think it's the fuse since the cigarette outlet is working. Checked the phone cable and its good. Redid the ground wire. Tested the radar in another car and its fine. CANT GET IT TO TURN ON!!

Can I use a Mini Add-Line ATM 2-10 Amp Fuse?

Great DIY. Literally only took me 15 minutes to do the instal with the step by step. As others have mentioned, I used the audio/light fuse 10a. I also recommend the V1connection LE to pair with your iPhone. Brings new life into the V1.

Awesome! Thanks!

Geez you guys do it the hard way. Hardwiring a valentine should take no more than 5 mins tops

I'm all ears...

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Well if you have a homelink/auto dimming mirror all you need is the mirror tap cord from blend mount (amazon). Get the 6 inch and just tap into the back of that.....

NOW...

If you have a base like myself, but the 15 inch cord, and tap into your dome lights. First you remove the lens carefully, next you gentle pull down on the ambient light house and it simply pops off. This Reveals 4 clips that holds the entire dome lights assembly(2 minutes in)... Now just unclip the assembly and unplug the connector. Once this is done, using the mirror tap, do red with red, black with black, feed the rj11 through the hood lining down to the radar. Put everything back....Thats it. No excessive wiring, routing or taping into fuse box bs...Obviously you need the mount--- radar will auto on and off when you get in and out.

where did you get that mount with the z logo on it?

its not on ther ?

looks like the design has changed in the last few years. They were making the Z ones back when I had my 350z (2007-2011).. The product is even still called "Z Mount". Try contacting them.