I purchased an S a few months ago, used, off this forum. The car, in all aspects, was in beautiful condition. It had a few things custom-wired - a security system, the plug for a radar detector, and an ipod hook-up for the stereo.

I've been having ongoing problems with my radar detector (escort 9500ix). If I turn the brightness up to the high point, it shuts off, forcing me to reset the settings in order to get it to turn back on. If I keep it at the default settings and come to a stop, it turns off. Every time I get a low voltage warning. I finally thought to set the unit to show the vehicles voltage and found, as I was driving this morning, the voltage's high point was around 11.8 and low point went to 10 at idle before the unit shut itself off. I was going to compare with a dedicated voltage meter when I get a chance.

I figured this was a battery issue so I ordered a new optima battery and installed it. This didn't seem to solve the problem, but from what I can tell, the detector is shutting itself in more predictable situations, like idle, rather than, say, cruising in 3rd gear.

I am wondering if it might be an alternator issue. I do hear a very slight whine when accelerating, but I am not sure if this is normal for the car.

I will probably take it in to Honda soon, but I was trying to see if this is something I could take care of myself.

I greatly appreciate any comments. Thank you.

PS: The unit is wired through the fusebox, piggybacking on the radio plug with a 10Amp fuse. I don't think it is grounded.

 

Its not the car, its probably just a bad connection from the radars hardwire. It really cant be wired into the fuse box, radios power and not grounded. Take it to a audio shop to have them fix it real quick.

 

Thank you, revhi. I might give it a shot to rewire it myself. I just ordered a smart-cord wiring kit. If that doesn't work, I'll try an audio shop. Thank you for your help! I was getting worried that the problem was deeper than that - not worried anymore.

 

I have the same problem with my Beltronics. I thought i was the spiral cord from the power port between the seats so I hard wired it to the fuse box and it still does it. Did it in my SI also. I sent it off to beltronics and they said that nothing was wrong with it. So...I dont know if it really is the detector or the cars. Mine isn't really pinned down to a certain point of driving such as idling. Its very random and spiratic.

 

I have a slight whine through my speakers due to a poor ground on my amp. I'll fix it when I get time, but it makes me suspect your connection just like the others have suggested.