Installing a Passport 9500ci radar detector / laser diffuser

[darthvdr]

I am usually cruising at safe speeds of nothing higher than 70, BUT with my MS, I have noticed that I am regularly over 80 without noticing it. It is extremely easy to drive fast in this car and not know it. I was pulled over recently for going 80. I admitted to the officer I was speeding so I can pick up my grandson from school and was late. He let me off with a warning and asked me to drive safely. I guess he understood my situation. Nice guy, but had me thinking about picking up one of these systems. I would not want to chance it again as I have 4 cars and the rise in premium with a point would do some damage for 2 years.

 

[Mphmd]

Hey,
Could you tell me where you placed the GPS sensor and how long does it take to acquire a signal?
Just had my ci install with the laser interceptors and my gps won't lock in the position.its mounted behind the nose cone
Thanks
Steve

 

[Lloyd]

I placed mine in the lower left corner of the windshield on top of the ventilation mesh. It acquires in about two to three minutes.

 

[Mphmd]

Thanks,
Ill try it
Steve

 

[pete8314]

Hey,
Could you tell me where you placed the GPS sensor and how long does it take to acquire a signal?
Just had my ci install with the laser interceptors and my gps won't lock in the position.its mounted behind the nose cone
Thanks
Steve

Mine is behind the nosecone on the steel impact brace directly behind the nosecone, never had any issues....acquires a signal within a minute I guess? Certainly quick enough for it to never complain, unless I'm sat in the garage too long messing with my music choice.

 

[lloyds]

Still researching this. Can anyone confirm whether the windshield is rejecting the signal? I'm having fastrak issues and for this unit, I am afraid that the windshield's coating will do the same thing and affect it.

 

[Mphmd]

My windshield blocks my sunpass ,gate transponder,incoming GPS signal for my escort 9500ix.
I'll bet it also somewhat diminishes any incoming radar signals to my radar detector.
I do not know what fast rack is
Steve

 

[HHHH]

It's an electronic toll pass.

 

[lloyds]

Hmm. I think the 9500ix uses the same tech as the 9500ci. Anyone can confirm if your gps on the 9500ci is working or not?

 

[tornado]

FWIW, the GPS transponder from my 8500ci works just fine under the windshield, up in my dashboard. I have the "detector" part of the 8500ci in the nosecone (as well as a toll transponder) which work great there.

Joe

 

[lloyds]

Great to know! Thanks!

 

[CincinnatiKid]

Hmm. I think the 9500ix uses the same tech as the 9500ci. Anyone can confirm if your gps on the 9500ci is working or not?

I just installed the 9500ci in the dash and it's having problems connecting with the GPS. I assume I should move it under the mesh on the dash. My installed felt that it was bake too much in the sunlight. Do I need to move it to the nosecone?

 

[Lloyd]

Mine was in the front left corner on top of the mesh and has no problem connecting. Others have placed it under the mesh also without issue.

 

[dollar]

Lloyd, Do you or anyone have any tips on removing the top dash. Steps? I have my drivers side panels all removed for my Stir+ Install but i would like to install 20mm circular rocker switches for another application. How did you get that LED installed above the cluster. Do you have any photos of how you removed that top dash? Thanks in advance

I spent about 20 hours to do the entire install. I went slow and took my time taking things apart. Yes, to mount the front sensors, the plastic bumper cover has to come off, to run the wires inside you need to enter the cabin by going into a connector on the passenger side where the battery heater cables come inside right adjacent to the cabin air filter. All of the leather above and below the carbon fiber decor had to come off and the center cubby was removed.

 

[Lloyd]

I don't have any photos, but I used a plastic pry bar, and the dash is held on by clips. They release, but fairly hard. That said, I did not need to remove it completely, I just lifted the trailing edge enough to to run and tie the wires underneath. The led is easy as the plastic piece over the instrument cluster just snaps out much easier than the dash.

Even though I did my own on the first car, it was a big job, and Elie at Al and Eds made me a great offer to install the one in my 2nd car. I had some business in LA to do, and Elie had his guys there on Saturday to complete it. He has an HPWC to have your car charged, and had a rental car waiting when I dropped mine off!! What Great service. I could not justify the time and headache, and they did a great job.

 

[dollar]

Thanks Lloyd! I appreciate the quick response. That's helpful guidance. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[Dukecat]

The GPS of my 9500ci was installed at the front driver's side corner of the dash and I was having real issues with it connecting, i.e., it rarely was. I took it in yesterday and they re-installed it into the rear view mirror connection and now it's connecting consistently and almost immediately.

 

[tornado]

Lloyd, Do you or anyone have any tips on removing the top dash. Steps? I have my drivers side panels all removed for my Stir+ Install but i would like to install 20mm circular rocker switches for another application. How did you get that LED installed above the cluster. Do you have any photos of how you removed that top dash? Thanks in advance

I actually had a tesla ranger help me with mine. He came out to do some minor work and I told him I wanted the LED above the speedometer and he helped pry it apart and add it. It took him all of 5 minutes. You may get the same help if you're cozy with your repair center folks (I'm getting cozier and cozier with mine as I've already done my 2nd year checkup - 29k miles now and climbing).

 

[flitedocnm]

I also enquired locally about doing this install (actually, with the BEL (Beltronics) STiR-Plus which is made by Escort and is basically identical to the Passport 9500ci, but gets slightly better reviews), and the locally highly recommended installer I talked with said that without an electrical schematic for the car, they wouldn't touch it. Problem is, Tesla refuses to provide the electrical schematic. Even more worrisome, Tesla told me in no uncertain terms that if a detector were installed by anyone who wasn't a licensed installer, it would void the car's warranty. Catch 22, because at least the licensed installer I talked with won't to it without the wiring diagram, and I suppose I can't fault them for that. Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[CanuckS#69]

What exactly is a "licensed installer"? Licensed by whom?