How to hardwire a Bel/Escort radar detector in a 08+ Impreza/STi for free!

I recently received a speeding ticket and decided to get a radar detector to help me out in the future with any more speed traps that I might encounter. Upon much research I decided to go with the Escort 9500i due to it’s low false alarm rate and the ability to block known areas which falsely trigger the detector using the detector’s GPS capability. Once installed, one soon sees the problem with the cigarette lighter adapter as it hangs over your radio and somewhat obstructs your view. The great part about the Escort is that it uses a standard RJ11 telephone jack for power input; likewise for most Bel radar detectors. Even better, there is easy access to switched power right beside the mirror giving you the possibility of a clean install. The guide below should make your install that much easier as you will not need a Volt meter to see what wire is what.

Tools needed:
- flat-head and Phillips screw driver
- electrical tape
- telephone wire
- sharp knife
- optional inline 2 A fuse to be extra safe

Instructions:

1. take off the plastic light cover from the front dome light assembly by using a flat-head screwdriver to pry it open
   

   Remove plastic light cover.

2. unscrew the two screws behind the light bulbs and remove the assembly 
   

   Remove the two screws behind the lights.

3. find the rear view mirror harness and cut the blue tape to release it
4. shave off some insulation from the yellow/green (+) and black (-) rear view mirror harness wires 
   

   Wiring.

5. get a telephone cord, cut it, and shave off the insulation from the red (+) and green (-) wire 
   

   Telephone wire.

6. remove the plastic pin in front of the dome light assembly with a flat-head screw driver to loosen the roof liner 
   

   Remove plastic pin.

7. remove fuse #6 from the fuse box just to be safe 
   

   Remove fuse # 6.

8. run the telephone wire behind the roof liner
9. wrap the red telephone wire around the yellow/green mirror harness wire and then put some electrical tape over the connection (solder for even a better connection)
10. optional: place an inline fuse between the yellow/green mirror harness wire and the red telephone wire
11. wrap the green telephone wire around the black mirror harness wire and then put some electrical tape over the connection (solder for even a better connection)
12. put fuse #6 back in and test your connections buy turning the key in the ignition
13. reassemble the dome light and put the plastic pin back in 
    

    The finished product.