I just picked up a new RT and would like to hard wire a radar detector. I don't have a shop manual or wiring diagram yet and I tried a search, but couldn't find an answer. My question is this: is there a 12 volt switched (or unswitched) easily accessable wire in the passenger compartment?

Thanks
NJRT

 

What is the ash tray lighter, in the dash ?? If you don't have smoker's group, could you use that or the one in the center console?

 

the 12V outlet inside the center console is unswitched, the one inside the ashtray is switched unless you have the smokers group, then it's unswitched, however that's easily changable just by moving the fuse as the fuse for it has 3 sockets so depending on which two you use it's either switched or unswitched.

 

I appreciate the quick responses.
I posted in a rush at work and probably should have been more explicit. The RT has the smoker's option, so the lighter socket is unswitched and that's not a problem. What I meant to ask was can anyone advise how to get to the wire at the rear of the lighter. I don't want to break any trim pieces trying to gain access.

Thanks

 

the one in the ashtray is very easy to get at the wires, just open up the ashtray so you can get a good grip on it and slowly pull it out top of the panel first as the bottom has a flange running the length of it that sits behind the bottom panel of the center console. it's held on by 4 snaps, they are very sturdy ones so not really any chance of breaking them, taken mine out probably 10 times now while working on my stereo system.

 

Not to sound like a total idiot, the ashtray / bezel came loose as you said, but I'm unable to get it completely out of the dash to gain access to the wires. The bottom of the ashtray assembly hits the trim that surrounds the shift lever. Does the shift lever trim need to be removed as well?
If it makes any difference, the vehicle has the smoker's package and there's a metal shield on the housing that would be over the ashtray when the ashtray door is closed.
I really appreciate your help walking me through this. I just don't want to break or damage anything trying to do this.

 

When I pull it out I like to have the shifter in the "D" position, remove the cubby tray infront of the ashtray (rubber thingy). I have not had to remove the chrome trim for that reason, but if you lift straight up the chrome ring pops off. It is held down by what I call "ratchet tabs" 6 tabs with indentions on them that get pressed to hold down.

John

 

The ashtray would not come out and I didn't want to scratch anything. I removed the shifter chrome bezel, the base plate it attaches to (2 screws and 4 push retainers) and it came right out.

 

My brother just did this using the (edit) garage door opener plug. It's pretty easy to get to. If you have the (edit) Garage door opener...
You can pull the light housing down. My brother said he though it was going to brake but it just snaps out. After you unsnap the housing be careful of the wires. After working hard to not pull the wires too hard and get all connectors undone, we discovered several inches of wire are just tucked over the headliner. So be sure to give the wires a genital tug before trying to unhook the connectors.

I edited this message because I though he tapped into the sunroof plug but it was actually the universal opener. This connector may be in all the LX cars. If not you may have to go with the other suggestions. I do know the lights do not have a key switched line.

 

Further explanation may be in order "genital tug" !

Sorry about that I couldn't resist.