Need Help with Hardwire

[srgrissom]

I have pluged into the fusebox with a add a circut and I get a low-voltage warning everytime. Any ideas ?

I'm using a cord from escort that says it with work with a 9500 i, I though it should work with a 9500 ix too.

thanks

[MEM-TEK]

Check all crimp connections and your ground connection.

:)

[srgrissom]

Thanks, I will check, but won't that cause a short, not low voltage ?

[MEM-TEK]

Thanks, I will check, but won't that cause a short, not low voltage ?

A bad crimp connection will severely limit current flow. Since the RD consumes current, the result is that the voltage to the RD drops instead. Likewise a bad ground connection will also limit current flow. Again the result is a voltage drop which is seen by the RD since the current passing through the RD is not well grounded and can't flow freely.

To check your connections, first unplug the add-a-fuse. Then use a crimp tool to make sure that all crimp connections are tightly crimped. Likewise, make sure that your ground connection is indeed a good ground. Once you have checked and re-crimped any suspect connections, plug the add-a-fuse back in and then see if your RD still displays a low voltage warning.

One final but rare possibility exists -- a bad crimp for the RJ-11 telephone style connector on end of the hardwire cable. If you decide to re-crimp this connection, only do so after you have either removed the inline fuse, or have disconnected the add-a-fuse from the fuse box, or have disconnected the hardwire's ground connection. The reason is that the metal multi-prong crimp blades within a RJ-11 crimper will short across all of the connections within the RJ-11 plug. This is why you must be sure to kill current flow by first disconnecting any one of the mentioned connections or by first removing the inline fuse.

:)

[srgrissom]

Thanks ! I will check everything tomorow.

[MEM-TEK]

Thanks ! I will check everything tomorow.

:D

But I forgot to mention...

Don't assume that your hardwire ground location to a particular under-dash bolt is indeed a good ground. Some under-dash bolts may not actually have a good ground to the rest of the vehicle's chassis. So, if all else fails, try a new ground location with another bolt.

[fire65]

Try checking out where you are connecting with a voltmeter.

[Lucky225]

Try checking out where you are connecting with a voltmeter.


X2

[focalcivic]

A bad crimp connection will severely limit current flow. Since the RD consumes current, the result is that the voltage to the RD drops instead. Likewise a bad ground connection will also limit current flow. Again the result is a voltage drop which is seen by the RD since the current passing through the RD is not well grounded and can't flow freely.

To check your connections, first unplug the add-a-fuse. Then use a crimp tool to make sure that all crimp connections are tightly crimped. Likewise, make sure that your ground connection is indeed a good ground. Once you have checked and re-crimped any suspect connections, plug the add-a-fuse back in and then see if your RD still displays a low voltage warning.

One final but rare possibility exists -- a bad crimp for the RJ-11 telephone style connector on end of the hardwire cable. If you decide to re-crimp this connection, only do so after you have either removed the inline fuse, or have disconnected the add-a-fuse from the fuse box, or have disconnected the hardwire's ground connection. The reason is that the metal multi-prong crimp blades within a RJ-11 crimper will short across all of the connections within the RJ-11 plug. This is why you must be sure to kill current flow by first disconnecting any one of the mentioned connections or by first removing the inline fuse.

:)

when you crimp RJ's you do not strip the wires right, they are self piercing?

[thestaton]

X2

x3! don't use the precious escort as a volt meter :)

[thestaton]

when you crimp RJ's you do not strip the wires right, they are self piercing?

what do you mean strip? I just cut the black insulation expose the cords, align the wires as needed, and crimp.

[focalcivic]

what do you mean strip? I just cut the black insulation expose the cords, align the wires as needed, and crimp.

What I meant is say for instance with a normal 16 ga wire you strip it first then put it in a butt connector.

With RJ's they are tiny wires hard to strip, I thought I have heard that you do not strip them first then put into the RJ connector and then crimp it down.

[srgrissom]

It works ! Yes it was the ground. Thank you very much, what a great forum!

[MEM-TEK]

With RJ's they are tiny wires hard to strip, I thought I have heard that you do not strip them first then put into the RJ connector and then crimp it down.

Correct.

[MEM-TEK]

It works ! Yes it was the ground. Thank you very much, what a great forum!

Happy happy joy joy! :D