I just bought a 2002 530i. My Passport radar detector is always on. Is there an easy fix to make the cigarette lighter power go off when the ignition is shut off? I use the coiled remote cord to make it easy to mute the alarm, so I don't want to hardwire it. Thanks for your help.
I have the Passport 8500, if you turn the volume wheel all the way down untill it clicks it will power off so you don't have to unplug it every time you turn the car off. Some day I'll get arround to hard wiring it so it will turn on and off with the key. If you buy the Passport brand hardwire kit it has a remote mute button built into it. Go check out the Passport website for more info on it.
You may be able to hook a relat or switch to the cig-lighter but that would be a lotta work. there is no quick or simple fix for that. and since you don't want to hardwire it just unplug it or switch it off each time your done driving.
Retrospek,
I think I'll order the hardwire kit. Looks great in the Audi. Any hints on making it go more quickly? Exactly where did you hook it up to? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks again.
Doc - making it go more quickly? I dont know what you mean... do you mean detect more quickly? If thats what you mean, then no. The only thing you can do is to make sure that the radar detector is placed in the optimal position. High up on the windshield without any obtruction and tinting.
You can hardwire the unit pretty easily. i had doubts myself because im not anexpert when it comes to electronics or fixing up cars.... im like level 1 beginner.
the smartcord will come with the mute button unit with a ground wire and a wire for the power, along with the phone cord thing that hooks to the actual unit. All you have to do is find a power source that turns on and off with the ignition and connect the powercord to that wire (and hook the ground wire to a grounded screw or bolt). We audi's have homelink (garage door opener on the visor) and so i simply opened the entire fuse box, found the fuse for it, connected the power wire to that wire (the smartcord kit will come with a lil splicer thing to make it incredibly easy and without risk) and then used a nearby screw to connect the ground wire. then i just picked a cool spot and installed the mute button...which required 2 seconds of drilling 3 holes and a lil glue. here.... ill post the whole write up to make it clear
Actually.. ill do it when i get home. the battery on this notebook is dead
i got a passport 8500 too, i have to upplug it everytime i done driving too
that's y now, im kinda lazy to turn on the passport now
it annoying -_-" ghead ghead
Hardwiring an Escort Radar Locator (2002+ A4)
CREDIT GOES TO CVT_A4 from audiworld.com
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only. Please use at
your own risk!
Tools needed:
Escort SmartCord-Direct Wire (part number 79-000041-01) from http://www.EscortStore.com/ (about $35)
Drill with bit set
Grinding machine
Glue (or Silicone)
9/32” socket (8mm)
Multi-Purpose Tie/UV
1- Open the fuse cover.
2- Remove the lower panel by removing the three bolts shown in the picture using the 9/32” head (See first picture, the red arrows). Then pull it towards the driver side (second picture). Note: There are two wires connected to this panel (see next step).
4- Remove the plastic cover (to the right of the headlight switch) by pushing it with your fingers from the back. It will pop out easily.
5- Now, you have to modify the Escort mute remote to make it fit into the plastic cover you just removed from your car. To start modifying, you must open the remote.
6- Unscrew the remote and make sure that you don’t make any damage to the black label on the mute remote that says (Passport). This label is stick on the mute remote. Once you get that label, save it in a good place to use it later (I used the white paper under the mailing stamps). Remove the wires inside by simply pulling them.
7- As you can see, the remote is not square. You need to modify it to make it fit into the plastic cover that you removed from your car.
8- Shave the lines (both side) using the grinding machine (or a file) to make it like this.
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ghead 
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