Escort Passport/Autocom question

[dsauer608]

I bought an 8500 x50 today. I plugged it into my autocom system and there's NO SOUND... why is that? Power's good on both units, the escort blows my ear off with my ear buds, the autocom works just fine with other inputs, so what's the deal? AutocomTom, are you out there? TIA.

[RaffyK]

which audio input are you using? The direct one or the auxiliary?

[dsauer608]

which audio input are you using? The direct one or the auxiliary?

I have the Active Plus, and I've tried all three aux plug ins. What am I missing here? Thanks, btw, for your help.

[sprdoorman]

I'm not sure how it works with the Auotcom system, but I know for the 8500 to work with the J&M-BMW Branded com system, you need to send it into J&M to be modified so that the audio output can be picked up. I decided not to go that route and went with the LED visual Alert by Marc Parnes at following site:

http://www.marcparnes.com/Visual_Alert.htm

Having a audio alert going off in my helmet speakers all the time just didn't appeal to me.

[tumbleweed]

I too have been puzzled by the same problem. My '02 was hardwired for a Valentine and the audio plug (Radio Shack mono) would not yield sound into the headset. However, I discovered that a stereo plug will work but only if it is not inserted all the way. If I stop it about 1/16" from full stop it works but of course it is not seated and will not hold that position. Does Escort change this socket to conform to a standard 1/8" plug? If so, it would seem that they would offer an adapter.

[cfell]

Compare length of the plug. Might not be deep enough for your Detector design... plug another source into it and see if you get sound through it...

good luck!

[munson]

I bought an 8500 x50 today. I plugged it into my autocom system and there's NO SOUND... why is that? Power's good on both units, the escort blows my ear off with my ear buds, the autocom works just fine with other inputs, so what's the deal? AutocomTom, are you out there? TIA.
You need the cable with a built in audio isolation transformer sold by Autocom, or you can wire one yourself with a transformer from Rat Shack.

[munson]

I bought an 8500 x50 today. I plugged it into my autocom system and there's NO SOUND... why is that? Power's good on both units, the escort blows my ear off with my ear buds, the autocom works just fine with other inputs, so what's the deal? AutocomTom, are you out there? TIA.
Sorry for the extra post, but I thought I'd be a bit more helpful.

Here's the Autocom part:

Autocom Part Number 1314 $49.99
Description Features Isolated interface cable (5' / 1.5m) designed to attach an audio source with a standard 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo output while protecting against noise created by the bike's electrical system. Required when interfacing any audio source being powered via the bike's electrical system.

Most commonly used with portable music sources and Valentine V-1 radar detectors operating on 12v power.

isolated lead removes bike-related noise caused by powering from the 12v electrical system
right angle plugs for easy storage or audio source
shielded cable protects against RF interference

1/8" (3.5mm) stereo plugs
5' (1.5m) length

Or you can make one from a standard Mono cable with two 1/8" plugs, inserting the 1:1 Isolation Transformer (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103994) $3.99, part no. 273-1374. I put one of these into the line for my Garmin GPS as well. The issue is connecting two bike-powered devices with the common ground messing up your audio signal.

I learned this little tidbit right here on BMWLT.com several years ago. Just another good reason to support the site by make a donation.

[Texas42]

Escort also sells one on their website that I used with my Starcom1,

https://www.escortradar.com/cp/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?&pg=prod&ref=earphone_cable

ground loop isolator, it is only 24.95.

[dsauer608]

Thanks, fellers, works like a charm now.

[mjkuhno]

Thanks, fellers, works like a charm now.

Hi Dean,

So tell us, which route did you go?

The splice and dice or the easy pay cable from Escort?

[zippy_gg]

Thanks, fellers, works like a charm now.Which solution did you end up using?
TIA

[dhanson]

This thread got me on track to solve my Escort 8500 x50 no audio with autocom pro avi problem. Got the mono cable from Autocom #1293, but still would not work, if you pull the plug in the RD out like 1/16" it would give audio but loud buzz also.

So, took normal cable and spliced in the Radio Shack 273-1374, used both audio leads on RD end of cable (don't use bare ground). On the other end of cable put red and ground to isolation transformer.

Now that wiring works but no matter what you do nothing will work with the plug seated in the Radar Detector. I cut a rubber washer about 1/16" thick and cut a hole for the plug, slide it down the prong pluged in and tied it in place with a zip tie. Works, no buzz.

[dirtyamaha]

This thread got me on track to solve my Escort 8500 x50 no audio with autocom pro avi problem. Got the mono cable from Autocom #1293, but still would not work, if you pull the plug in the RD out like 1/16" it would give audio but loud buzz also.

So, took normal cable and spliced in the Radio Shack 273-1374, used both audio leads on RD end of cable (don't use bare ground). On the other end of cable put red and ground to isolation transformer.

Now that wiring works but no matter what you do nothing will work with the plug seated in the Radar Detector. I cut a rubber washer about 1/16" thick and cut a hole for the plug, slide it down the prong pluged in and tied it in place with a zip tie. Works, no buzz.

I don't normally post on this site but I found this information helpful and wanted to add to this. I also have a Super Pro AVI and their recommended way of solving this problem is to get their mono (2-pole) to stereo (3-pole) wire [part 1293, as mentioned above] along with the dual isolated input [part 1285]. The isolator will accept a 3-pole plug and has a 4-pole plug that is compatible with the recommended Aux#4 for radar.

I, however, plan on making my own 2 to 4 pole connection and adding an isolation transformer, as described above.

[dwsdad]

I had the same problem getting my 8500 to send sound to my Motocomm. After some thought, I decided to go the H.A.R.D. route. Man, I love this thing! No constant beeping in my ears. Now I have a flashing red light in my helmet.

[olearyg]

I bought an 8500 x50 today. I plugged it into my autocom system and there's NO SOUND... why is that? Power's good on both units, the escort blows my ear off with my ear buds, the autocom works just fine with other inputs, so what's the deal? AutocomTom, are you out there? TIA.Did anyone ever resolve your problem? I went and listened to Munson (below) and bought the Radio Shack transformer, but the wires were very thin and brittle. I then found out that my Escort 9500i (blue) would only send the sound to my helmet if I was NOT listening to the radio in my helmet, but externally, which defeats the radio interuption to my headsets, which is how I thought it would work. I don't want to NOT listen to any music while I'm driving to work, (or be forced to crank up the external speakers so loud that I'll blow the speakers just to hear it while going 80 MPH) just to be able to hear the radar go off in my ear. Also, the L connector that I bought from Radio shack keeps popping out of the Radar detector. I'm about ready to break down and buy the cable with a built in audio isolation transformer sold by Autocom, even though it's $50. I just don't want to buy it only to find out it works no better than the Radio Shack transformer. Has anyone out there found a way to make the Radar detector work at the same time that the music is being played internally into your helmet?

Greg in Indy

[munson]

Did anyone ever resolve your problem? I went and listened to Munson (below) and bought the Radio Shack transformer, but the wires were very thin and brittle. I then found out that my Escort 9500i (blue) would only send the sound to my helmet if I was NOT listening to the radio in my helmet, but externally, which defeats the radio interuption to my headsets, which is how I thought it would work. I don't want to NOT listen to any music while I'm driving to work, (or be forced to crank up the external speakers so loud that I'll blow the speakers just to hear it while going 80 MPH) just to be able to hear the radar go off in my ear. Also, the L connector that I bought from Radio shack keeps popping out of the Radar detector. I'm about ready to break down and buy the cable with a built in audio isolation transformer sold by Autocom, even though it's $50. I just don't want to buy it only to find out it works no better than the Radio Shack transformer. Has anyone out there found a way to make the Radar detector work at the same time that the music is being played internally into your helmet?

Greg in Indy

Greg, I use an Autocom with an input splitter has three inputs and one output. I have music from the bike, Escort alert, and Garmin GPS plugged into it, and it plugged that into the input on the Autocom. I have a cell phone cord plugged into the Aux port, connected to a bluetooth adapter. The Escort and Garmin cables have the Rat Shak transformers cut in. Autocom's adaper that wires into the bikes speaker wires has transformers built in. As for that three into one adapter, I bought it years ago from someone on this forum, and I know Joe (Messenger13) has posted a detailed how-to build your own. It should come up in a search. Call me if you like, you have my number.