Valentine-One Radar/Laser Detector
In Your C5 Corvette
Available from: Valentine Research, Inc.
$399.00
(And Worth EVERY Penny)
Disclaimer: My experience is based on installing the V1 in a 1999 Corvette coupe. There have been a few slight year-to-year changes in the C5 but these instructions should work for all C5's.
I mounted my Valentine (don't waste your time or money on anything else) using the trusty suction cup mount (provided) just to the left of the mirror, high enough so the detector is just partially into the tinted area of the windshield. It is nearly invisible from outside the car. For power, look under the passenger side floor mats - there is a switched accessory power connector in the passenger kick panel. It should be fairly easy to find on top of the BCM. Refer to your owners manual. You should use a voltmeter to ensure that you find the correct wire - the yellow one is the one you want (the one that is only on when the ignition is on).
The following is from the 1999 C5 Owner's Manual (Page 6-66):
Accessory Power Plug This plug can be used to connect electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or CB radio. The accessory power plug is located behind the passenger side toe-board at the top left corner near the body control module. Be sure to follow the installation instructions included with the equipment. To use the accessory power plug: 1. Remove the toe-board panel by lifting up on the latches at the top of each corner or the panel. 2. Locate the black connector at the left top corner of the compartment near the body control module above the two white diagnostic connectors. 3. Disconnect the connector pigtail by pulling forward on the plastic locking tab and pull the connection apart from the harness. The plug has three separate wires: o The orange wire connects to battery power o The yellow wire connects to ignition power. Power is only available when the ignition is on. o The black wire connects to ground.
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| Here's the floor - start here, under the mat. Remove the toe panel (there are two clip dealies at the top - just like the ones in the cargo area of the car). | This is the view of the body control module (the shiny box on the left). You will find the plug and harness nestled on top of the box. You may have to poke around a bit to find it. It has a big wad of black tape covering the ends of the wires. Find them on the upper left of the BCM box. |
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| Here's the plug and harness
after pulling it out from it's hiding place above the BCM. Note the
big wad of black tape on the end. Note also that in later models,
the harness is a bit difficult to extract and may require some patience
and acrobatics. The wires are as follows:
BLACK = Ground Orange = Battery (always on) Yellow = Ignition (only on when key is on)
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A closer look at the harness after it has been removed from the plug. I have removed the wad of black tape and exposed the wire we're interested in (yellow). Note the blue connector on the yellow wire. It is a "crimp on" type of wire splicing gizmo that comes with the V1. Makes it easier to connect stuff but be careful not to crimp it too hard and cut the wire - crimp gently with pliers until it "clicks". The red wire from the V1 plugs into it. You can connect both the red and black wires to this harness if you want to. Red from the V1 goes to yellow and black goes to black. Use the blue connector to connect the red wire from the V1. Or you can strip off the insulation and use wire nuts or solder. Wrap with electrical tape to avoid short circuits. If you need more crimp-on connectors, you can get them at Radio Shack®. |
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Here's some detail
on the crimp on
connector. Pretty simple. And pretty easy (remember that there is a difference between simple and easy). |
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| This
view shows three things:
(1) The Direct Power Adapter (the black gizmo in the lower right corner), (2) I connected my ground wire to a screw at the base of the BCM. It was handy and easier than stripping wires and soldering, etc. I could have connected it to the harness same as the red one, but chose not to (3) The Direct Power Adapter in the lower right corner is the connector for the wire from the V1 (the one that looks like, and is, a telephone cord). What we are really doing here is connecting this connector to the harness plug. This can all be done outside of the car. Then just plug in the harness, route the wires from the V1 and we're good to go. |
Put all the wires back where
they are out of the way thus ensuring that you will not crimp anything
or cause a short circuit when you put the toe panel back in place.
The V1 Direct Power Adapter (the sort of round, black thing with the red
and black wires coming out of it) can be attached to a convenient spot
by the velcro provided with the unit.
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| As for routing the power,
if you loosen the screws on the top molding (by removing the screws inside
the left and right visor mounts) , you can then slip the wire in under
the molding with your fingers. Run it over to the passenger side pillar.
The "A" pillar moldings simply pull straight off - start at the top by
working your fingers under the lip. Don't be afraid to pull!
You can then easily run the wire down the "A" pillar, behind the plastic
trim of the right front foot well wall and into the fuse box area beneath
the "toe" panel. Make your connections as above and go out into the
world and "detect".
The Valentine picks up "K" and "Ka" transmissions even before the source is visible! The ONLY problem I have had with mine was after I installed the Nology Capacitive Ignition System and Beru plugs. Under HARD acceleration, the V1 thinks it is under laser attack from all directions. This is caused by electrical noise from the C5 power systems which is generated by the wires/plugs. You can call Valentine (1-800-331-3030) and ask for service. Tell them that you have the "Corvette Laser Falsing Problem" and need the "modified hardwire adapter". They will send it to you at no cost. It looks just like the connector shown in picture five except it has more gizmos inside. If you are running a stock ignition, no worries. It's easy then to remove the V-1 to take with you when you travel or if you leave your car someplace with the top off/down. Simply unplug the power cord from the V1 and remove the unit, the power line stays in place concealed in your Corvette. If you move it to another vehicle, use the cigarette lighter power supply that came with the V-1. Click HERE for programming instructions for the V-1. |