Detector failure...?

[polarbearshot]

I was using my friends STI driver the other day (plugged into the cig. lighter) and every time I would accelerate fairly hard it would register Laser. We concluded that there wasn’t actually a cop around running laser, and it was due to my acceleration. I have read some of the recent post from other people with this similar problem, although it seems that theirs might be caused by an old RD (using the 8500), where the STI was brand new.

My main question is I just ordered an X50 (for my 2500 mile trip coming up) which will be here Monday, and am afraid that it is going to do the same thing. Does anyone know what might be causing this on a new detector? If it happened with the STI, will it most likely occur with the X50? Also, how can I fix this if it does occur?

I won’t have much time next week which is why I’m trying to get this worked out ahead of time.

Any information will be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

[polarbearshot]

Oh, and the detector works fine in my friends car, but not mine... :(

[SmaartAasSaabr]

This is generally indicative of a "dirty" power feed to the detector, from a weak alternator, crappy electrical system, etc. Putting a capacitor on the power line to the RD (to "filter" the electricity) will solve the problem.

[bauzer71487]

That would woork, but to be completely honest - to go a "easier" route if you don't know the first thing about capacitators - like me - I would get one of those "car jumper boxes" that have a 12 volt outlet. Just plug the RD in to that and you won't have to worry about it. Its not much of a "permanent" fix but its a great temporary one.

[worldpower]

That happened with my escort too and i emailed escort and they said to take it back so they can make a few adjustments to it so it will work with the car i have

[polarbearshot]

^So im likely to have to send it back once I get it, for them to make some "adjustments"?

[worldpower]

This is the original message:
Hi, i had my Escort radar 8500 for about 2 years now and until now i have noticed that when i hit about 4,000RPM's my laser goes off,if im going about 80Mph and then i hit the pedal to the metal it also goes off every time,i have to drop my speed to about 70Mph in order it for to stop ringing,I just wanted to know what the logic to this is.
THANK YOU


REPLY:
It is good to hear from you! As you know, it is unusual to get false
laser warnings. Some cars and other electronics put out more RF
interference than others and this may cause the laser to false when certain
devices are used. Although rare, I have heard using the horn, or
windshield wipers causing this affect. If this started recently, have you
added anything to the vehicle you are using your detector in? Does it do
the same thing in other cars/trucks? New cell phones and some major
airports can also cause false laser alerts.
Please call our Customer Service Department and they will give you a
repair authorization number and instructions on how to return to us. We
will be able to make modifications to your detector that will help.
Thanks for your interest in Escort!

[polarbearshot]

This is generally indicative of a "dirty" power feed to the detector, from a weak alternator, crappy electrical system, etc. Putting a capacitor on the power line to the RD (to "filter" the electricity) will solve the problem.


Im with bauzer, I dont know much at all about capacitors. Would I have to take much of my car apart to put the capacitor on?

Would hardwiring likely solve the problem? I know im going to eventually hardwire it, but I didnt know if I had time to order everything and instal it by the end of next week(when im leaving).

Thanks for the input everyone.

[polarbearshot]

This is the original message:
Hi, i had my Escort radar 8500 for about 2 years now and until now i have noticed that when i hit about 4,000RPM's my laser goes off,if im going about 80Mph and then i hit the pedal to the metal it also goes off every time,i have to drop my speed to about 70Mph in order it for to stop ringing,I just wanted to know what the logic to this is.
THANK YOU


REPLY:
It is good to hear from you! As you know, it is unusual to get false
laser warnings. Some cars and other electronics put out more RF
interference than others and this may cause the laser to false when certain
devices are used. Although rare, I have heard using the horn, or
windshield wipers causing this affect. If this started recently, have you
added anything to the vehicle you are using your detector in? Does it do
the same thing in other cars/trucks? New cell phones and some major
airports can also cause false laser alerts.
Please call our Customer Service Department and they will give you a
repair authorization number and instructions on how to return to us. We
will be able to make modifications to your detector that will help.
Thanks for your interest in Escort!


hmm... I have a performance chip on my ecu... could that be whats causing it to go off? My friend also has a chip in his car, but different make(BMW).
The chip is part of the reason I got the RD though so I dont know which I'd choose over the other.

[bauzer71487]

I don't know if hardwiring would solve the error - it depends what you hardwire too. I wouldn't think it would solve the error at all.

Personally I have mine wired to the Ignition 1 of my car so it turns on and off with the car. I doubt it would fix the error - as stealthjamal seems to say its comming from dirty power from your alternator.

Easy solutioin - Get a new alternator. :lol:

Good luck.

[worldpower]

I don't know if hardwiring would solve the error - it depends what you hardwire too. I wouldn't think it would solve the error at all.

Personally I have mine wired to the Ignition 1 of my car so it turns on and off with the car. I doubt it would fix the error - as stealthjamal seems to say its comming from dirty power from your alternator.

Easy solutioin - Get a new alternator. :lol:

Good luck.

well my problem was with a 2006 honda so i doubt its the my alternator

[bauzer71487]

well my problem was with a 2006 honda so i doubt its the my alternator

I'm no mechanic - but just because its new - doesn't mean its gonna be good. They recal stuff all the time - stuff goes bad - parts aren't manufactured right. Lots of error there. I doubt its the alternator too - but it might be worth getting it checked out from Autozone or something. I think they have a diagnostic thing.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Yeah new cars tend to have several problems early in their life, then replaced/adjusted under warranty, the car runs great for another five years then starts falling apart again :P

In any case, it seems highly likely as I said that it is noise in the electrical system.

Wiring in a capacitor is easy. Get a suitably-sized capacitor (nothing too big) and just wire it into the line to the RD, either the wires to the lighter socket or the hardwire cord.

[Switchback]

maybe this is something a simple rf line filter from Radio-splat would cure.

it is basically an inductive choke-coil to filter line noise from power leads for radios. (have you ever heard ignition noise through your radio, it fixes that)

A capacitor in line? Do RD's draw that much amperage to need a cap. to make up for reverse spikes? it may have some filtering effect though.