I have done tons of reading on this throughout the DIY threads and can't figure out why my radar detector isn't working?

I am running my wires to the drivers side fuse panel and I'm tapping the ACC fuse. Then I grounded it to a nut just behind the fuse panel.

The unit is a Cobra 9930 and yes I know there are better units out there.

Is it the wrong amperage for the unit or what??

STUMPED


I've done this before with an older cobra on a different car and had no problems at all????

 

It can't be the wrong amperage...amperage is the amount of draw from the device...not what is pushed to it. If it wer the wrong amperage you would have a blown fuse instead of a non-working radar detector. Instead of grounding the wire to the nut behind the fuse panel, why didn't you ground it to the other side of the fuse? Not that the frame shouldn't work...just bypass a possible bad ground point and easier to wire.

 

which side is positive/negative on a fuse? Thought they were both pos.

 

errr....technically both sides are positive...

Update: Wow...I really don't know where my head was earlier. Must be too much pain meds. Electricity will take the path of least resistance...always. By taking a lead off the fuse and running it through your radar detector and into ground you are creating more resistance than would be there normally. Therefore no electricity will go through your device. What you need to do is splice into the wire's path. You can do this via the fuse box; however, you will need to replace the blade fuse with taps on both sides and have an inline fuse. Otherwise you will just make the electricity basically short across the fuse instead of going into your radar detector again.

Fuse Tap

 

Just picked up the fuse taps yesterday and I will let you know if I get it working......Hopefully

 

http://rotaryinsider.com/rx8-60.html

 

That is a good DIY, but I think I am still going to stick with the fuse panel route. I bet my problem was a bad ground.