You are going to wanna connect it to a fused power source. Having it hooked up where it is now will NOT cause any false alarms. Sounds like you may have a faulty unit.

 

This may help: http://www.s2000.org/mods/radar/

 

u need to connect it to an accessory line, best place is under your dash at the ignition harness. or you could relay it from your accessory line off your factory harness for the cd player.

the reason it keeps going off whenever it feels like it, is NOT because of the power source, its a common problem with the 8500 passports, send it back to escort for service. or even better, buy the 9500i

 

bad thing about LA its a hassle but just gotta get use to it

 

find a nice ground and i did that add a fuse trick with the radar and you can get it from autozone or pepboys.

 

That was my problem . I didnt really think about it till you said find a "nice" ground. Apparently I didnt , its all good now tho. Thanks

 

radar detectors in LA.. lol when do you get a chance to speed lol.. and most drivers in LA do bout 80-85 on the freeway when they can anyways lol

 

still a expensive ticket my friend

 

The laser issue is a known part of the Escorts. It happens in my s2000, my brothers TL, a coworkers neon etc. There is a recall that is free if you're still under warning. I just turned laser off, because laser can only be detected at VERY close proximity to the beam.

 

The issue with both the 9500i and the 8500i is sometimes related to actuation of certain electric devices such as electric motors.
I currently have the 9500i and previously had the 8500i and both would sound the laser alert when I adjusted the side view mirrors. The 8500i would do it for the right mirror and the 9500i for the left - and they were both mounted in the same spot. I have a friend that said his would some times go off right after start-up, aparently due to the air pump. Try choosing a different mounting spot just in case something near its current location is causing interference.