Has anyone taken apart a 985 or similar model. The detector has stopped making any sounds, making it pretty useless, and I was hoping to replace the speaker. Any suggestions?
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vector 985 disassembly
Has anyone taken apart a 985 or similar model. The detector has stopped making any sounds, making it pretty useless, and I was hoping to replace the speaker. Any suggestions?
Originally Posted by jade
Numerous members have, but unless you know electronics... I would just send it back to Bel and pay the repair-fee... because taking precautions for ESD and the like sometimes can cause an issue, ruining a detector.
You could also send it back to Bel and look into a newer detector, putting the money from it towards a new Bel unit (RX65, STi, or another newer Vector series). (I think they have that program where they will give you XX amount of dollars towards one of their units if you send in your old one).
I took mine appart many years ago for the same problem and discovered the speaker was fine. I removed the speaker, put a tone on it, and the speaker played it loud and clear. I am guessing the internal amp was bad, but I didn't troubleshoot any further because I wanted an excuse to get the RX65.
Good luck.
There have been links to take apart new units, but the 985 is harder. That is the older case design and besides screws the front lens case is difficult to take off without some kind of instructions.
the 985's are known for blowing speakers. I went thru two before I found a cheaper way.. I bought the smallest piezo speaker radio shack has. and took it apart just enough to get the speaker out, spliced the wires and hooked up the piezo speaker. one problem is that the speaker is just a tad bigger then the original, so I had to leave the speaker cover off... but so far no problems. I run the volume set at I believe 7 or 8. and has been great for over a yr. now....
speaker is only 2.00 dollars at rs...
2006 GTO, black on black.
540/551 11.3 sec. @ 124mph.
V1- 3.864
escort zr4.shifters.
laserveil g4/lasershield.
985 repair
Jade,
I'd have no qualms about paying to have the 985 repaired. It is the best performing rd out there for less than $200.00.
Kay, Thanks guys. Yeah I love the detector, but its the second time I have to pay to send it in. Though, it is 5 years old and I probably should buy a new one.
jade,
I just traded one of my 985's in for a new RX65 red. Bel gave me $80.00 for the trade in, held the old price of $329.99, sent me a pre paid label for the trade in unit, and included an extra winshield mount, suction cups and a new soft travel case. Hell of a deal IMO.
If you wanted to pay 80 bucks they will fix the speaker, check it out for performance replace case parts if needed so it almost like a new detector for the money. As for performance, I have the 960 a sister to the 985 except like 2 features, my 995 is a better performer, not by much but still better. The main issue with the older 960 and 985 was the display in bright sun I could not read it, with the 995 I never really have problems reading it with the lens design on the 995 it is much better, which is like the RX65's lens.
focal,
I agree with you. I did the trade because I did have two 985's. I think it is one of the best rd's ever made. The down side is the dim display and the fact that the 985 is a little more chatty than the 995/RX. I think, so far, the performance is about the same.
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