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Built In Radar Detector?


Caleb

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Hey guys, I own a 93 LS400, I've had the car for about 2 months and just recently what must have been an electrical problem resolved itself. My keyless entry and dome light both which I though we're broken/burned out from age started working coincidentally once warm weather started again. Today I was driving down the road and behind my Speedo a orange "Rear Radar" light turned on and the typical radar chirps happened(for the first time ever). Apparently I have a radar detector in the car. What I don’t know is why it just started working, and if it's stock (or was there a way to wire an aftermarket detector into the dash like Porsche) does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

Caleb

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It must be aftermarket , you probably have a wiring short more than likely linked to an aftermarket alarm which the radar is also linked to .

No car i know comes factory with a radar detector because of varied legislature across the world.

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Alright, since it was nice out today i just went out and got under the hood and back bumper to find 2 boxes...sure enough they said " k40 Three Band RemoteRadar Detector" and were obviously mounted by someone other than lexus...my next problem is how to get this to work right cause it seems to be on the fritz...any ideas what I can troubleshoot with it?? a ground or something?

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During the early 1990's the local Lexus dealer had a display in its showroom for K40 radar detectors. From what I remember, K40 detectors were a very expensive dealer-installed option - I think the system was over $1,000. The neatest aspect of the K40 detector was that its warning lights were fully integrated into the instrument cluster so that it looked like it was factory installed. From what I remember, K40 detectors were only available at new car dealers and specialty installers and could not be purchased by individuals.

K40 is still in business today: http://www.k40.com/home_main.html

I put my Escort Solo (cordless, battery powered) detector in a drawer over ten years ago and never used a radar detector again. Driving has been far more pleasant since I went "legit" and slowed down.

A K40 in a 1993 LS400 would likely be useless since it would not sense the newer radar / laser technologies used by law enforcement agencies. You might as well trace where it is connected to your car's electrical system and disconnect it.

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Yeah I know what you mean with laser technology and things of that nature, still I'd like to get it fixed anyway. I drive low and slow most of the time so its not a need. I'll drop by lexus soon and see if I can find a dude who might know something. I was browsing that K40 site as well I think I'll drop them a call too.

Thanks A lot guys

Caleb

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  • 7 years later...

During the early 1990's the local Lexus dealer had a display in its showroom for K40 radar detectors. From what I remember, K40 detectors were a very expensive dealer-installed option - I think the system was over $1,000. The neatest aspect of the K40 detector was that its warning lights were fully integrated into the instrument cluster so that it looked like it was factory installed. From what I remember, K40 detectors were only available at new car dealers and specialty installers and could not be purchased by individuals.

K40 is still in business today: http://www.k40.com/home_main.html

I put my Escort Solo (cordless, battery powered) detector in a drawer over ten years ago and never used a radar detector again. Driving has been far more pleasant since I went "legit" and slowed down.

A K40 in a 1993 LS400 would likely be useless since it would not sense the newer radar / laser technologies used by law enforcement agencies. You might as well trace where it is connected to your car's electrical system and disconnect it.

Thank you very much for this extremely helpful post. I have a LS with a built-in radar detector and knew absolutely nothing about it. I followed your K40 suggestion, and that's exactly what's installed. You're correct about the full integration of the dash lights. That's quite nice. It might not be the latest and greatest system, but it's better than nothing.

Thank you very much for these very helpful pieces. We're nine years removed from your post, and it's still providing timely and useful help.

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