Need help rewiring radar detector

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on hardwiring an Escort Passport radar detector into a vehicle after the 12V socket failure. The user seeks to replace the original mute switch with a new, conveniently located normally open (N/O) switch. Key insights include the necessity of connecting the yellow wire to the green ground wire to create the mute function and the recommendation to wire the new switch in parallel with the original. For sourcing components, electronic surplus stores and websites like allelectronics.com, jameco.com, and goldmine-elec.com are suggested.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic electrical knowledge related to automotive systems
  • Understanding of wiring schematics
  • Familiarity with normally open (N/O) switch functionality
  • Experience with soldering or connecting wires securely
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to wire a normally open (N/O) switch in automotive applications
  • Learn about the specifications and types of automotive switches
  • Explore the use of resistors in grounding circuits
  • Investigate local electronic surplus stores for component sourcing
USEFUL FOR

Car enthusiasts, automotive electricians, and DIYers looking to integrate or modify radar detector systems in their vehicles.

banj0_bob
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Hey guys, I'm a first timer here, and need just easy pieces of advice. I'm pretty into cars and have a decent electrical knowledge behind my mechanical know how, just not with reading schematics.

Recently, my 12V socket died and I finally have an excuse to hardwire my Escort Passport straight into the car. The only thing is, it came with a smartcord which has a button to mute the detector when you want it to be quiet, and to hardwire the detector would require the same chord.

All I want to do is know how to rewire it, so that I can place a new switch where it's convenient for me, and what switch do I need to buy. I'm sure that I need a N/O switch, but I don't know where to buy them, I am looking for a very very small button for this. In fact, I would love to keep the switch somehow, if it's possible to remove it.

But below are the pictures, and hopefully I can figure this out to make this my new project. I plan on taking spare wire and hooking them up to the green and yellow wires with an N/O switch somewhere in my dashboard, so when I want the mute all I do is press the button, just like stock.

So really, my questions are:
1) To create the mute, the yellow must touch the green ground wire, is that correct?
2) If the N/O switch is what I need, where can I find a very small one, or can I take off the OEM switch and use it somehow??
 

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If you wire the new mute switch in parallel with the original, you'll be okay. According to the schematic, the OEM mute switch connects to ground through a 470 ohm resistor -- NOT DIRECTLY to ground.

If you're only looking to buy one switch, most cities have at least one electronic surplus store. There are plenty of online sources -- allelectronics.com, jameco.com, goldmine-elec.com, ...
 

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