8500 False Laser on Acceleration

**Mister Mike** · 07-12-2006, 06:47 AM

I have determined that the false laser alarm with my 8500 happens when I do a hard acceleration. Such as entering a highway, leaving a toll both or stop light etc. What could be causing this and what can I do?

**Lucky225** · 07-12-2006, 07:39 AM

is it hardwired in the ignition harness?

**kpatz** · 07-12-2006, 07:48 AM

Ignition or alternator noise in the electrical system. An inline filter or capacitor across the ciggie lighter plug should help. Or try hardwiring into a different circuit.

**Mister Mike** · 07-12-2006, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by kpatz

Ignition or alternator noise in the electrical system. An inline filter or capacitor across the ciggie lighter plug should help. Or try hardwiring into a different circuit.

I have been using it for years with the OEM Smart cord into my cig lighter outlet. Where can I get and how can I install a inline filter or capacitor across the cig lighter?

I could hardwire it into a different circuit but I really like the mute option that the smart cord has. Plus I am not sure how & where to hardwire it. If I got the steps I know I could do it.

I did have a new battery installed a few months back do you think that is the cause of the problem? Now that I think of it the problem did start a few months ago but has been getting worse lately. Just a note: The alt gauge on the dashboard does not move at all when I accelerate.

Thanks again for the replys. Hopefully with one or two more I can solve this problem.

**Lucky225** · 07-12-2006, 08:24 AM

Could be the smartcord as well, you could try getting a female/female rj11 adapater and plug a phone cord into the x50 and the adapter and the smartcord to the other side of the adapter, that'd prolly stop leakage a little, I donno

**Mister Mike** · 07-12-2006, 08:42 AM

Just to be clear the unit is an 8500 and not the x50. Its about 3 years old. I have been reading a few posts and see that I am not the only one having this problem. But the unit was working fine with no false alarms until a few months ago. So something has changed. Oher posts recommend everything from a bad distributer cap; alternater; spark plugs etc. Since my car is running fine and the cost to install a new alternater would be more than buying a new detector I would hope there is a easier solution.

As stated in a post above the most common recommend solution is to install a inline filter or capacitor. But I have no idea how to do this, or even what size capacitor to buy. My car is a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherekee. if that helps. I really need to solve this problem because I can't even use the detector anymore. Just accelerating to change lanes this morning set it off. I can't handle it anymore so I had to turn it off. 30 miles each way to work on the NJ turnpike requires a little assistance if you know what I mean.

**Mister Mike** · 07-12-2006, 01:49 PM

Can anyone give me a little help with information on installing a inline filter or capicitor. Thanks

**TheTexan** · 07-12-2006, 02:07 PM

alternator voltage regulator could be going bad on your car (charging more under acceleration than when coasting due to higher engine RPM), the resultant voltage spike could cause the laser false in your 8500. Capacitors and re-wiring wont fix that.
If you have a battery gauge on your car watch and see if spikes under acceleration, if you dont then go to autozone or a service center and get them to test it.
Thats my guess based on what you said (laser false when accelerating just started happening) sounds like avoltage regulator to me

**Mister Mike** · 07-12-2006, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by TheTexan

alternator voltage regulator could be going bad on your car (charging more under acceleration than when coasting due to higher engine RPM), the resultant voltage spike could cause the laser false in your 8500. Capacitors and re-wiring wont fix that.
If you have a battery gauge on your car watch and see if spikes under acceleration, if you dont then go to autozone or a service center and get them to test it.
Thats my guess based on what you said (laser false when accelerating just started happening) sounds like avoltage regulator to me

Thanks Texan. I have a battery/voltage gauge on my dashboard. When I accelerate it does not move at all. I did have a new battery installed a few months ago. I will stop by the garage that installed my battery and ask them to test it.

I read several posts about other people who are having this problem. So for the others out there with this problem can you report back on your status and tell us how you fixed the problem if you did fix it. Thanks.

**Mister Mike** · 07-13-2006, 06:38 AM

Come on folks. Where are all the people who posted about false readings during acceleration? How did you solve your problems? It would be great to get all the info and then post a sticky for all future people with this problem.

I am having the voltage checked on my Jeep after work today. So in the mean time I have disabled the Laser band so I can at least keep the unit on. They don't seem to be using Laser in the NY/NJ tri state area. But I do want to solve this problem. Once again any help would be appreciated.