I know there was a sticky on here a while ago where it was shown how to hard wire their V1 to the above head light switch console...

Just curious, of those people who have escort passports, has anyone gotten "service requested" errors since hardwiring them?

My 8500 X50 is probably about 6 years old or so, my father has a 8500 thats about 8 or 9 years old, and my brother had a 8500 x50 that was also about 6 years old. Within this past year we've all gotten service requested errors on the screen.

Initially i'm thinking they are just old and have been sitting in the heat through many summers etc so it probably needs some calibration adjustments.

But i'm starting to think (since we all have hardwired radars, in 2008+ MY cars: '11 X3 35i, '11 B8 A4 2.0T [though it happened in his '07 B7 S4]) I am curious if since the power above the lighting console leaves the unit powered on while the car starts (unlike switched power which momentarily shuts off the power when the car starts), do you think a surge in voltage/power when the car starting has something to do with throwing the radar out of wack? The x3 35i is wired in the same manner I believe, and I'm not sure about the B7 S4. I figured the in line fuse would help supress this type of damage but I was reading a post from a Escort Rep and he was saying how this switched power could be the cause of the service required message.

I'm going to send it in anyways, but figure I'd see if it was worth rewiring the hardwire to the fuse box when I got it back.

 

i've got it on mine. they need to be sent in every once in a while. i didn't do it however, just swapped my wifes v1 since she never uses it.

 

I have had a hardwired V1 in my 2002 MCS for 6 years now and have never had any issues with the V1 unit.

 

i don't think the v1 will ask for an update where as the passport will start whining after a certain point every so often as not to bug you too much but enough so that you spend 75$ or whatever to get it updated. the v1 website is where to check for their updates. you put in the serial and it'll likely say, send it in for a update.

 

Yeah, and I wasn't speaking just of hard wiring, but to the power source above the rear view mirror which doesn't shut off power while starting the car. I'm just wondering if there's any chance it damaged my x50, as it now repeatedly asks for service requested. It's been on and off for about 3 months, used to self calibrate, but now the turn off and back on when service required pops up doesn't work anymore

 

on the 8500 x50 do a hard reset.

Make sure key is out of the car. Hold the top two buttons down and the mute button (on the front of the unit - it is on the LCD on the right side....I forgot it was even there) Once you hold all three buttons down on the x50, put the key in the ignition and start the car. It should do a factory reset.

That may only extend the service required interval. Most likely the antenna needs to be tuned. This happens over time and you should spend the $59 to send it in and have the look at it. They'll also put the block of the traffic monitoring systems (TSR) on there which you may have noticed lately pull up a K signal near bridges and overpasses.

I'm on the Escort forum frequently. Quote:

"The service required message almost always means that the detector encountered critical error/s during a regular self calibration routine. Most detectors use an analog tuning scheme for proper calibration similar to an old radio where you turn the **** to the station you desire. The problem is that over time the detector needs re-calibrated which can only be done at the factory. Our modern detectors, like your X50s, use patented digital self tuning to keep it calibrated and operating at peak performance. Should the detector not be able to properly calibrate itself then it will keep trying until it can (and displays the "self cal" message). If it fails enough times then it displays service required.

I assure you that we do not put a timer in our products to display an error based on time. All detectors naturally drift out of tune over time, none will perform like new forever. Other detectors simply lose performance or quit detecting altogether without notifying you that something is wrong with it. Our calibration circuits normally can compensate but they cannot always compensate enough.

I recommend sending it in when you see the error message. The detector is trying to tell you that it is sick."

 

I have had to send my RX65 in before. It needed to be re calibrated. Occasionally I get weird messages too. I get random Laser alerts, maybe time to send it in again. This $60 every time is going to get expensive. They hate the heat too. Great detector, 99% of the time.