Replacing the speaker

[knightryder13]

Hey guys my 9500i's speaker seemed to have bit the dust. It works intermittently but then just quits. Randomly it works, so im going to have to believe its the speaker. I dont have a warranty on it so i think getting escort to do anything for me is out of the question. The speaker however looks easy enough to replace? Any suggestions on where or what type of speaker i need?

[CJR238]

Hey guys my 9500i's speaker seemed to have bit the dust. It works intermittently but then just quits. Randomly it works, so im going to have to believe its the speaker. I dont have a warranty on it so i think getting escort to do anything for me is out of the question. The speaker however looks easy enough to replace? Any suggestions on where or what type of speaker i need?

MEM-TEK is a pro with this.

[MEM-TEK]

Hey guys my 9500i's speaker seemed to have bit the dust. It works intermittently but then just quits. Randomly it works, so im going to have to believe its the speaker. I dont have a warranty on it so i think getting escort to do anything for me is out of the question. The speaker however looks easy enough to replace? Any suggestions on where or what type of speaker i need?

Hi knightryder13,

Your 9500i, being out of warranty, obviously has the original PUI speaker. Last year Escort had PUI custom design a new "high temp" version of the speaker. It is specifically designed to handle high ambient temperatures without its voice coil burning up. Unfortunately, this speaker is only available through Escort. I tried getting some from PUI but no dice.

Try, perhaps, using Escort's online chat "Live Help" feature which is located at the top the page once you click on their Product Support link. Explain that your 9500i is out of warranty, that its speaker is crackling and intermittent, that you would like to get the new PUI "high temp" speaker, and you have already been given specific instructions on how to replace the speaker yourself and that you know how to avoid any electrostatic discharge damage to your RD once you remove its bottom case in order to replace the speaker. Paste into the chat box a link to these instructions if necessary.

I don't know if Escort will send you a new speaker, but its worth a shot!



Replacing the speaker is rather quick and easy to do, but you must carefully follow these instructions:

THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, OF ANY KIND.

ALL ELECTRONICS ARE SUBJECT TO ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD) DAMAGE CAUSED BY STATIC ELECTRICITY. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HOW TO TAKE PROPER ESD PRECAUTIONS, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN AND/OR DISASSEMBLE THIS OR ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE.

FINALLY, PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE FULL PROCEDURE AND THE REASONS FOR EACH STEP IN THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE.

1. You will need some sort of anti-static work surface upon which to work on. A large aluminized mylar anti-static bag is ideal for this, and may be readily obtained from a local "mom and pop" computer store if you don't already have one. You will need to use scissors to cut open the anti-static bag since only the interior of the metallic looking aluminized mylar anti-static bag is coated with a very thin film of aluminum. The inside of the bag with the aluminum coating is what must be face up to serve as our anti-static work surface. Alternatively, you could use a large piece of aluminum foil as an anti-static work surface even though I prefer the anti-static bag.

2. Set the 9500i top-tide-down atop your anti-static work surface.

3. Remove the three screws on the bottom of the 9500i using a small Phillips head screwdriver.

4. Lift off the 9500i's bottom cover, noting that you will have to pivot the cover in order to release the "snap" which is located on the side of the 9500i near the serial number sticker. Don't force the cover off. You should be able to quickly figure out how to tilt the cover in order to undo the "snap."

NOW THAT THE BOTTOM COVER IS OFF AND THE INTERNAL MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD IS EXPOSED, DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING INSIDE UNLESS YOU KEEP EITHER A FINGER, THE SIDE OF YOUR HAND, YOUR WRIST, OR PART OF YOUR ARM IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ANTI-STATIC WORK SURFACE ATOP OF WHICH IS RESTING THE 8500 RADAR DETECTOR, AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME KEEPING A FINGER OF THE SAME ARM WHICH IS IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTI-STATIC WORK SURFACE IN CONTACT WITH THE LARGE METAL RADAR HORN.

LIKEWISE, DO NOT PICK UP THE INTERNAL ELECTRONICS OR SET DOWN THE INTERNAL ELECTRONICS UNLESS A PART OF YOUR BODY IS FIRST IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ANTI-STATIC WORK SURFACE.

Here is what you should see after removing the bottom cover:


5. As you can see in the above photo, the speaker is mounted inside a rubber grommet. You can also see that the speaker's wires have a small plug on them and that this plug plugs into a small jack on the circuit board. The the speaker and grommet sit atop the circuit board, and three tits on the bottom side of the grommet fit into matching holes on the circuit board.

6. Keeping one hand grounded to your anti-static work surface and a finger of that same hand in contact with the large metal horn, simply lift off the speaker/grommet assembly and unplug the speaker wire connector from the circuit board.

7. Remove the blown speaker from the grommet and install the new speaker such that the speaker wires coming off of the speaker are oriented as shown in the above photo. Twist the speaker wires as shown.

8. Once again, ground one hand to your anti-static work surface and then keep a finger of that same hand in contact with the large metal horn. Plug the new speaker's connector into the jack on the circuit board and then set the speaker/grommet assembly back in place, being sure that the grommet's three tits go into the three matching holes on the circuit board.

9. While still being properly grounded to both your anti-static work surface and to the radar horn as described in Step 8, squeeze and bend the speaker wires as necessary so that the path is similar to that shown in the above photo. The speaker wires must pass above the metal horn, or the wires will get squashed when you reinstall the 9500i's bottom case cover.

10. Reattach the 9500i's bottom case, being sure that you either hear the snap at the side of the case snap into place.

[knightryder13]

Thanks for the advice, i looked all over trying to find a new speaker but no dice. Escort wouldnt offer much help besides their 59.95 service fee and send in service. I guess my options are limited and its either spend the 60$ or buy a whole new unit. I appreciate your in depth details though greatly appreciated for future problems :-)

[CJR238]

Thanks for the advice, i looked all over trying to find a new speaker but no dice. Escort wouldnt offer much help besides their 59.95 service fee and send in service. I guess my options are limited and its either spend the 60$ or buy a whole new unit. I appreciate your in depth details though greatly appreciated for future problems :-)

Buy a remote speaker for $30 and be done with it. You will most likely prefer it anyway. Plus all you do is hard wire it +- and plug it in to the headphone jack.

Roy might give you a deal on one too.