W203, 2004.

I've seen a post where someone mentioned that he was able to run a wire (for a radar detector) through the firewall in the area of the fuse panel next to the drivers door......and into the engine fuse box that contains some switched fuses. I replied and that person has never answered as to how he did this. Does anyone know if there is a rubber grommet, etc., in that area to pass wires through, etc.

Thanks.

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GuruGuy

Guru, I'm going to bump you up and also suggest that you should easily be able to find where the wiring harness goes through the firewall from the engine compartment. Just follow stuff along and see where it goes through. Now, getting your wire through there is another story. What are you trying to feed power to? How many amps does it draw?

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Thanks. Radar detector wiring for a switched fuse. I realize I can run it to the back of the car but that is not an option....really don't want to run it all the way back there, etc.

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GuruGuy

It's not overkill to NOT want to disassemble the console to get to a radio power wire or the cigarette lighter just to run a power wire. That leads to rattles, squeaks, etc. Much easier to run the wire to a fuse that is switched. The wire is already run over to the fuse box....not that much harder to run it through the firewall and into the engine fuse box to a switched fuse..........

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GuruGuy

If it were me, I would use an inline fuse on the power wire, size dependant on the gauge of wire you're using, and tap into/onto the fuse box you're already at. I also would not tear into the console for the very reasons you stated. An inline fuse lets you join another circuit consisting of higher amperage without risking fire. Remember the fuse is designed to protect the wire and protecting the component is only a secondary and resulting function.


Edit: If your concern is having a truly switched fuse, you can get them inline as well, but typically switched fuses (or self-resetting fuses) are high amperage (20-30), and are really only necessary for things like electric brakes.

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Yes, I agree totally, and have actually done that already with the inline fuse, etc. The only thing is, I would rather plug into a "switched" fuse and there are NONE inside the fuse box up front.....they are all "live" constantly. Thus the reason for wanting to run about 6-10 inches more, through the firewall and into the engine fuse box to plug into a "switched" fuse. Guess I'll have to poke around in there and take a look.

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GuruGuy

OK, I get it. By switched fuse you are referring to the ignition. I would go through the firewall in that case, too. Sometimes a piece of wire, like the solid copper you can strip out of a piece of Romex, makes a good wire fish getting through those grommets. Sometimes it's easier to fish it backwards, too (engine to interior) Good luck.

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Well??? Success?

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Haven't had time to look at it today, supposed to rain tomorrow, holiday, etc. Probably get a look at it this week.

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GuruGuy