garsarno

Trying to direct wire my radar detector into the 2011 fuse box. Seems Lexus revised their fuses to low profile and cannot attach the wire to the fuse spot via or solder a bridge. Other than tapping into the appropriate wire, is there an alternative low profile fuse that has an attachment as part of the fuse? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

MadMax96

I haven't done this on my ES yet, but just tap into a wire that's closer to where the detector will be.

On my Maxima I had some years ago, I tapped into the wires in the upper console area. I just made sure the source was switched with the ignition.

I think if you open the sunglasses holder, you'll see two covers that will pop off and reveal screws to remove this part.

The reason I haven't mounted my detector yet is that the glass in that area has the black dots and the suction cups won't stick.

One of the sponsor vendors (see banner on top of page) makes a slick mounting bracket that attaches to the rear view mirror stem. But I'm too cheap to buy it.

For the past few years, however, I haven't used a detector except on long trips and haven't really missed the need to have one on all the time.

garsarno

The tapping looks like my only solution for a direct wire.

garsarno

Had a local car audio shop direct wire the Valentine radar detector. Tapped into a existing wire under the dash, works with the ignition. Took about 25 minutes and $25 to do. They are used to working on IS250 models and said this was almost exactly as the IS set up. Inline fuse on the direct wire is the protection. Also quoted me $325 for installed remote start system, will start the car from 2,500' away. When you open the door while it is running from the remote start up, the car will shut down and you will need to have the Lexus key fob and press the button to start. Also will have to have the front windshield defroster set to on with high temperature. Not as sophisticated as my '11 Impala but it will do.

jagtoes

Radio shack has a fuse adapter that goes into the fuse block and has a spade terminal on it. The only problem is the fuse block cover will not fit back on unless you modify it.

garsarno

My regular garage guy went to Radio Shack to procure some kind of fuse as you described. My 2007 had traditional type fuses, the 2011 has low profile fuses. We tried to solder the wire to the low profile fuse with no success.

jagtoes

That's because the fuse is aluminum material.

jagtoes

There are a lot of fuse taps out there. Just look for "mini fuse taps" on the net. You'll find all kinds.

garsarno

Mini does not equal low profile. I researched the mini fuses, will not fit into the 2011 fuse box. Only low profile. My previous 2007 - no problem with minis.

jagtoes

So did you look up "low profile fuse taps"? As I mentioned I found one for my 2010 (same fuse block as 2011) at Radio Shack.

garsarno

My fuse block utilizes the low profile fuses. The mini fuses have mini teeth that protrude down. The low profile fuses do not protrude down, they are just to the sides. I searched on Google Chrome and found taps for mini fuses, none for low profile fuses. Anyway, left it to the stereo professionals to wire up (which they did) and it works with the ignition. But thanks for the head up anyway.

jagtoes

Here is all you needed. http://www.tessco.com/products/displ...&subgroupId=12

garsarno

WOW. They Do make something. Thanks for the heads up. Searched everywhere for this thing.