[ghaffari46]

Another funny problem with x7:
I got a escort 9500 radar detector for the x7. I couldn't turn on the device via the cigarette lighter port (in front of cup holders). The device works on my m5. My iPhone charger also did not show any signs of life when connected to any of cigarettes charging ports. I thought maybe these ports are dead, but interestingly my air pump works flawlessly with the same charging port. The pump has a longer adapter. So is it a design flaw of charging ports?
Does anyone else has experience this before?

[jokinawa]

Originally Posted by ghaffari46

Another funny problem with x7:
I got a escort 9500 radar detector for the x7. I couldn't turn on the device via the cigarette lighter port (in front of cup holders). The device works on my m5. My iPhone charger also did not show any signs of life when connected to any of cigarettes charging ports. I thought maybe these ports are dead, but interestingly my air pump works flawlessly with the same charging port. The pump has a longer adapter. So is it a design flaw of charging ports?
Does anyone else has experience this before?

Read somewhere that the cigarette ports are a bit deeper in recent BMWs. Don't remember why unfortunately.

[Missduvy]

I can’t get it to work either. I have to use the actual USB port. Which is a lot slower.

[jokinawa]

This from the G05 forums.
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1557458

[toddwalton]

$0.05 cents on a low compression spring at your local hardware store is the answer. Been using a low profile USB socket charger for years this way in my X5 and 4 Series. Important because often I want the door closed and I don’t want a tall adapter that interferes or has to be removed.

The spring wraps around the metal tip at the very end of the adapter and makes the necessary contact in the socket which is a few millimeters too deep in BMW’s. Mine have been used this way for 5 years in my 4 Series and 3 years in my X5 non-stop (never removed) with no issues.

[dmann33]

Originally Posted by jokinawa

Read somewhere that the cigarette ports are a bit deeper in recent BMWs. Don't remember why unfortunately.

Actually, the problem is the bmw socket is narrower at the very bottom and the little spring loaded nipple on the bottom can't reach. There a couple ways around this (like an adpater 2-way splitter that works then put escort into that - but thats pretty bulky given the location)


What I did was just take a dremmel tool and ground down the diameter of the plastic end of my escort plug and it now works like a charm. It also still works fine on all other cars. See attached pic.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by dmann33

Actually, the problem is the bmw socket is narrower at the very bottom and the little spring loaded nipple on the bottom can't reach.

Weird. Why would BMW do this?

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

Weird. Why would BMW do this?

Like the speedometer (why is it 5 mph slower?), iOS updates (why doesn’t Bluetooth work?), Polarized sunglasses (why can’t I see the HUD?), and the cigarette adapter questions that you BMW newbs are flummoxed by, the answer is that these are 5-10 year old questions and millions of others are still wondering the same thing.

Welcome to the club. LOL.

I’m surprised that no one has asked why their windows have waxy streaks on them (we know the answer to that one).

[Frinckster]

Same problem here. I soldered the tip and boom.... thanks. At first i wanted to put a nut but I might short the fuse.

Tip of advice: be careful when you solder the metal part it gets so hot that it can melt the plastic casing. I learned my lesson but it still works. You can unscrew and take the metal out to solder the part.

[iconoclast]

Why not tap the power and hardwire the unit?
It will be cleaner and will not have power issues.

[Frinckster]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Why not tap the power and hardwire the unit?
It will be cleaner and will not have power issues.

It can be an option too, but I am not comfortable doing so in a 90K vehicle. LMAO. A few years back I tap it on my Veloster without any problem but this is a different story and this vehicle can buy me 2 Hyundai sedans. Maybe if I have a coach to help me figure it out I will try soon.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Frinckster

It can be an option too, but I am not comfortable doing so in a 90K vehicle. LMAO. A few years back I tap it on my Veloster without any problem but this is a different story and this vehicle can buy me 2 Hyundai sedans. Maybe if I have a coach to help me figure it out I will try soon.

Aw, c'mon, don't let this car scare you just because it has three little letters ('B' 'M' 'W'), it is just a car. Patience and a little bit of know-how can go a long way (and it seems like you have some know-how)....

Not an X7, but it is an $80k+ BMW . This is my DIY dash cam install where I also hardwired it to the fuse box integrating it directly to an open/unused fuse using OEM methods (and not using the popular "add-a-fuse" method).

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...38;postcount=1

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...38;postcount=1

I haven't taken a peek at the X7 yet, but I am considering putting in a dash cam. If I do, I plan to use the same method I did on my M3.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Frinckster

It can be an option too, but I am not comfortable doing so in a 90K vehicle.

Not sure what the price point has to do with an install... If anything I would suspect one would want the cleaner installation without any wires exposed and hanging down from the roof in the luxury vehicle.

If you're worried about warranty then ask the dealer to do it.

[bagekko]

Glad I am not the only one, all 4 cords from my Escort & Bel radar detectors wont work, only my Radenso cord works. Will have to implement one of the solutions or get another Radenso lol

[pdips]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Why not tap the power and hardwire the unit?
It will be cleaner and will not have power issues.

THIS^^^

I bought one of these. Worked like a charm.

https://www.amazon.com/Detector-Hard...9847544&sr=8-6

[stockguru]

Just joining threads


https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26695485