Switched accessory power in 2004 found.

[Panama Yellow]

First, by way of self-introduction, I'm the proud owner of a 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe (6sp, MagRide, 2 tops, CD changer). I also come at the Corvette world from a different direction, being the current caretaker of a '58 Panama Yellow / white car (270hp, 4sp, posi, radio delete). I'm not sure that it's possible to have two cars that are named the same but that are more different.

My contribution (Switched accessory power in a 2004 model):

Very soon after I took delivery of my new 2004, I searched the archives here looking for a way to connect in Valentine 1 radar detector. It turns out that for 2004, Chevrolet deleted the accessory plug from the passenger's footwell area (present in the 2003 model). I didn't find any direct guidance in the archived threads on finding a source of power and ground in that area. So, I went looking for myself.

Fuse No. 22 is unused and is also switched power. The best ground that I could find was the case of whatever computer it is that is next to the fuse box. There is a springy handle at the lower edge of the computer case used to release the case from its mountings. This handle has a hole in it through which I mounted a screw with a lock nut. Then I used a ring connector (secured by another lock nut) to provide ground. Hopefully, this information will be useful to someone else with a 2004 model.

 

[FmrMarauder]

Thanks for the hint! Where did you run the wiring to the Valentine?

Jim

 

[Blade]

Chevrolet deleted the accessory plug from the passenger's footwell area (present in the 2003 model).

I did not know the 2003 had this, I can not find it on my AE! Where is it?

 

[Panama Yellow]

Thanks for the hint! Where did you run the wiring to the Valentine?

Jim

I located the V1 power source...

(Valentine Direct-Wire Power Adapter, Item 20305 @ https://store.valentine1.com/store/default.asp?category=partsdept)

...near the bottom and inboard of the silver computer box. Then I ran the negative lead to the hole in the handle of the computer box as I described above. The positive lead goes under the lower edge of the computer box and across into the fuse box side of the area. It goes into the fuse box from the top as the cover is open on that end. I ran the wire in a way that avoids the cover's mounting screw to the lower "leg" of fuse location #22. I trimmed a common spade connector to be the same size as one of the legs of a fuse, soldered it onto the end of the positive wire and inserted it into location #22.

I mounted the Valentine just to the left of the rearview mirror, using the Valentine's suction cup mounting doodad.

From the power adaptor, I ran the phone wire to the Valentine like this: along the lower edge of the computer box, along the bottom edge of the fuse box, upward and outboard to the windshield post on the passenger side. (requires removing the horizontal cover below the glovebox - held by two plastic plugs, requires removing the trim covering the windshield post - see http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbies/corvette/options/valentine_install.html)

I found that the easiest way to get the phone wire up to the windshield post was to push a relatively stiff wire down from above, through the aftmost of the two holes that are exposed when the windshield post cover is removed. Tape the phone wire to the stiff wire and carefully pull it up.

I ran the phone wire up the windshield post under the same wide black tape that's holding the existing wiring into a groove in the windshield post. Then across the top of the windshield, under the trim. It was easier to start the phone wire under the center of the trim as there's clearance there. Then I used the handle of an old toothbrush to make an opening for the phone wire across to the windshield post.

I hope this helps.

 

[Panama Yellow]

I did not know the 2003 had this, I can not find it on my AE! Where is it?

Blade, have a look at http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobb...ne_install.html
for an excellent description of using the accessory plug.

 

[FmrMarauder]

Thanks! If I ever get rid of this cold I'll crawl into the 'vette and take a peek.

Regards,

Jim