9500i Blue Help Needed!

[Newbie]

Hey pros, I have a 9500i that is about 1 year old. I just realized that over the last couple of weeks I have not detected any radar signals. This is unusual. I have even passed several LEO's without a warning. Over the same period, I have also been getting random "reset power" messages... about one every other day. Have any of you had a similar problem? Any ideas on a fix?

BTW, the detector starts normally and goes through the self-test fine with all bands being audible.

Thanks for any help!

[MEM-TEK]

Do you let your 9500i power up when you start your car? If so, do a full factory reset which will reload all default settings programmed into the 9500i's firmware back into the EEPROM memory. Momentary or erratic power fluctuations when starting your car can occasionally cause the saved settings within the EEPROM to become corrupted. Depending on the Bel/Escort RD model, symptoms of this may include no audio, missing start-up messages, and/or absolutely no radar alerts. If a factory reset solves the problem, then simply remember to power up your 9500i after you have started your car and remember to power it off just before you turn off your car's ignition.

Here is how to reset your 9500i:

1. Turn off your 9500i using its Power button rather than turning off the 9500i by using your car's ignition.

2. Hold down the SEN and BRT buttons. While holding down these two buttons, press the 9500i's Power button and release all three buttons when "RESET" is displayed on the 9500i's display. "RESET" displays very briefly followed by your 9500i's firmware version.

That's it! Hopefully resetting your 9500i will resolve your problems. Note that once your 9500i has been reset to the factory defaults, you will have to enter Program mode and change any settings to what you prefer to use.

:)

[RadarKid]

Try the reset as MEM-TEK explained...then if there's even an ounce of doubt, send it in. Escort is pretty good about turnaround time, and its not worth the uncertainty to leave it as is.

[CJR238]

Nothing to add, what MEM-TEK said is what to try first. I have only herd the "reset power" happen to a few people, and it had to do with some voltage issues.

[Newbie]

K, will do. I had a feeling Mem-tek and CR-... would have some good advice. Although this is my first post, I have checked the forums quite regularly since getting my Escort. I have a mirror mount and have the detector wired into the mirror, so usually it just powers on with the car. Sounds like you may have figured this one out. I'll try the reset. Thanks.

[Newbie]

Something to add. Since you brought up power fluctuations... I remember jump starting my wife's car about the time these problems started. The detector would have been powered up when I started my truck and the battery would have been pulled down when I started hers...hmmmm.

[RadarKid]

MEM-TEK

are V1's subject to the same damage with hardwire autostartups?
i.e. - should I start shutting it down by hand everytime?

[MEM-TEK]

MEM-TEK

are V1's subject to the same damage with hardwire autostartups?
i.e. - should I start shutting it down by hand everytime?

I honestly don't know, but you would think that if the V1's programming could get messed up then we would see some posts about it. Needless to say, I have been careful to power on DJ's V1 only after I have started my car and power it off before turning off the ignition. After all, its not my RD so I am being careful with it. I don't even leave it in my car when not using it.

[aradarnut]

2. Hold down the SEN and BRT buttons. While holding down these two buttons, press the 9500i's Power button and release all three buttons when "RESET" is displayed on the 9500i's display. "RESET" displays very briefly followed by your 9500i's firmware version.
I thought Escort did away with the version number on this series. I don't own one so forgive me if I am wrong.

[MEM-TEK]

I thought Escort did away with the version number on this series. I don't own one so forgive me if I am wrong.

Hmm...I think that you are right. I can't check my 9500i since I recently sold it.

[CJR238]

I thought Escort did away with the version number on this series. I don't own one so forgive me if I am wrong.

They did, my newest 9500I doesn't show anything.

[CJR238]

Something to add. Since you brought up power fluctuations... I remember jump starting my wife's car about the time these problems started. The detector would have been powered up when I started my truck and the battery would have been pulled down when I started hers...hmmmm.

That might not of been a good thing right there. Hope the reset fixes it. :o

[Newbie]

Well... I tried the reset and it didn't seem to work. I stopped by a gas station that used to make the detector go nuts before I locked it out and got nothing. I'm guessing with the reset you lose all of your locked out locations also(?). I have never updated the firmware for the detector, so I think I will try that next. Perhaps, if it is a matter of corrupted files as you suggested, the update may be the fix. If not, I guess I'll have to send it in.

Does anyone know, if you send a 9500i in to be upgraded to the ix, do they give you a new detector or just make changes to the detector you send in? I really don't have use for the redlight and speedtap locations in my area, but the upgrade could be the most economical fix for my probelms. Although, the upgrade price seeems a little steep considering the 9500ix sells for what I bought the 9500i for.

[MEM-TEK]

Well... I tried the reset and it didn't seem to work. I stopped by a gas station that used to make the detector go nuts before I locked it out and got nothing. I'm guessing with the reset you lose all of your locked out locations also(?). I have never updated the firmware for the detector, so I think I will try that next. Perhaps, if it is a matter of corrupted files as you suggested, the update may be the fix. If not, I guess I'll have to send it in.

Does anyone know, if you send a 9500i in to be upgraded to the ix, do they give you a new detector or just make changes to the detector you send in? I really don't have use for the redlight and speedtap locations in my area, but the upgrade could be the most economical fix for my probelms. Although, the upgrade price seeems a little steep considering the 9500ix sells for what I bought the 9500i for.

Doing the factory reset does not wipe the stored locked out locations. You can wipe those out using Escort's Radar Detector Tools software. Yeah, try using RD Tools to flash your 9500i with the latest firmware. Once done, manually do another reset as described above since doing a reset forces the 9500i to reload its default settings straight from the default settings incorporated within the firmware code.

Upgrading a 9500i to a 9500ix involves replacing the internal motherboard with a new one. Escort also replaces the top cover with a 9500ix labeled top cover, and Escort's techs usually will replace the tinted front and rear covers if they have a lot of scratches on them. Plus you get a new warranty for the upgraded 9500ix along with a new key so that you can download updates for it. All in all the upgrade price is a really sweet deal when you think about the costs for everything they do to your 9500i in order to upgrade it to a 9500ix.

:)

[CJR238]

Well... I tried the reset and it didn't seem to work. I stopped by a gas station that used to make the detector go nuts before I locked it out and got nothing. I'm guessing with the reset you lose all of your locked out locations also(?). I have never updated the firmware for the detector, so I think I will try that next. Perhaps, if it is a matter of corrupted files as you suggested, the update may be the fix. If not, I guess I'll have to send it in.

Does anyone know, if you send a 9500i in to be upgraded to the ix, do they give you a new detector or just make changes to the detector you send in? I really don't have use for the redlight and speedtap locations in my area, but the upgrade could be the most economical fix for my probelms. Although, the upgrade price seeems a little steep considering the 9500ix sells for what I bought the 9500i for.

If all else fails send it in to be upgraded to an ix and they will fix anything that is wrong with the unit if you ask.

[Newbie]

Well, good news. I updated the firmware and then did a reset and all seems well. I got my spinning satellite icon back around my locked out locations and got alerted when passing a couple LEO's and when driving by the police station. Thanks to all that offered help!

[MEM-TEK]

Hi Newbie,

I'm glad that we were able to help and that your 9500i is working properly again. :D