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View Full Version : DIY - Passport SmartCord Install



Boefadeez
11-30-2008, 08:34 PM
I installed the SmartCord for my Escort Passport 9500i over the holiday break.
I started by modifying the male connector on the hot-wire of the cord. I cut it down to match the dimensions of one of the fuse contacts. The connector is on the top. (My camera isn't so good at the close-ups)
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/5-Fusemodifiedtab.jpg

From there I positioned the detector where I wanted it on the windshield, then started routing the cord. I removed the rearview mirror harness-tray and slid the cord under the headliner. Here's what it looks like routed and with the tray installed.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/2-rearviewwire.jpg

From there I kept routing the cord under the headliner towards the driver-side A-pillar...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/3-headliner.jpg

I didn't take a picture of the next part, but from the position in the above photo I routed the cord just underneath the top of the a-pillar trim and over to the door seal. Make sure you keep slack in the cord from this point on because it would be pretty easy to pull it off of the area where the headliner and trim overlap and into the area of the airbags. I went all the way down the door jam to here...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/4-doorseal.jpg

Being careful not to pull on the cord, I tucked it underneath the upper trim closest to the door. From there, I was right next to the fusebox. I routed the cord behind the footwell trim and into the fuse box. I ended up using position F22. I'll explain why later.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/6-fusebox.jpg

From here I tucked the cord into the gap underneath the dash, spacing a few cable-ties along the cord to keep it from slipping out of the gap and making my passenger cabin look like the inside of a Turkish dump truck. Here's a photo looking between the bottom of the steering column and the dash with the steering column all the way up.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/6-underdash.jpg

I pulled the trim from the left side of the center console and routed the mute-button/indicator out the front of the dash (blue part). I also secured my ground.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/7-ground.jpg

From there I slapped the trim back on and installed velcro on the mute-button/indicator. Once I had the position I wanted worked out, I applied the other side of the velcro to the underside of center console cubby-hole.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/8-mutebutton.jpg

I hooked the battery back up, turned on the car, and presto...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg100/boefadeez/SmartCord/9-itworks.jpg

Boefadeez
11-30-2008, 08:42 PM
I originally ran power from F7 on the fuse panel, but discovered as soon as I hooked the battery up F7 is always hot. So, I tried F17 which is labeled for the sunroof and I don't have one. It was always hot too. From there I put it in F14, but this cut power (because I have to remove the fuse to get the connector in) to both 12V accessory plugs in the center console. So...I figured the two cigarette lighter spots (F13 & F22) were probably safe to use. Which I did, and F22 at least is working out pretty good. I will probably end up running a GPS off F13 eventually.

pkeplinger@unitedcommunit
12-20-2008, 08:31 PM
how did you get the sucktion cups to hold on the little black dots? i hasd to use velcro

Boefadeez
12-21-2008, 08:00 AM
A little gorilla glue did the trick. It may not be what everyone would use, but it works fine for my situation.

crazygreek89
11-27-2009, 03:25 PM
InvisiCord + Blendmount is mans best friend!

kendall.alston
02-26-2011, 12:25 PM
good stuff man! i been trying to figure out how do wire this in that way for a while... was going to spice it through the rear view mirror but still wanted to be able to press the buttons seeing that it would be so high up.... but your way is great. Thanks for the pictures and instructions!

Napalm
04-11-2011, 07:29 AM
what trim did you pull on the left side of the console. how did it come out?