Re: When Headlights Come On Stereo Dies

[David]

Sounds like you have the radio grounded to the dimmer or illumination wire.

Remove and unplug the radio. Use a test light or meter to check for voltage
on the radio 'ground' when the lights are on...

When testing wires in the radio cavity, an illumination or dimmer wire will
appear to be a ground until the lights are on.

David
UnderTheDash.com

"Holophote" > wrote in message
om...
> I've got a 1991 Sable station wagon. I can operate the
> stereo by depressing the on-off switch or by turning
> on the car headlights! The moment the headlights are
> turned on the stereo goes off.
>
> My guess (only a feeble guess!) is that some of the
> wiring or the wire terminals have oxidized, corroded
> that is. The resistance in the wiring has increased.
> When the headlights are turned the the voltage drops
> because the wires can no longer handle a full load.
>
> I hope this not the case. If it is there is probably
> nothing I can do about it. Maybe there is a component
> I could replace that would resolve this problem. Can
> someone point me in the right direction?
>
> Thanks guys!
>
> Holophote

[butterman]

Lets see, it sounds like you have a serious problem. You should ask someone
about it.

J/K

Maybe you could only drive during the day time,??

J/K
Ok if there is a wiring problem, i would wire the deck directly to the
Battery.

Also if you have an Auto Zone in your area have them do a free electrical
test.
Good Luck

"David" > wrote in message
news:pQVXa.8419$ug.1042@lakeread01...
> Sounds like you have the radio grounded to the dimmer or illumination
wire.
>
> Remove and unplug the radio. Use a test light or meter to check for
voltage
> on the radio 'ground' when the lights are on...
>
> When testing wires in the radio cavity, an illumination or dimmer wire
will
> appear to be a ground until the lights are on.
>
> David
> UnderTheDash.com
>
> "Holophote" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I've got a 1991 Sable station wagon. I can operate the
> > stereo by depressing the on-off switch or by turning
> > on the car headlights! The moment the headlights are
> > turned on the stereo goes off.
> >
> > My guess (only a feeble guess!) is that some of the
> > wiring or the wire terminals have oxidized, corroded
> > that is. The resistance in the wiring has increased.
> > When the headlights are turned the the voltage drops
> > because the wires can no longer handle a full load.
> >
> > I hope this not the case. If it is there is probably
> > nothing I can do about it. Maybe there is a component
> > I could replace that would resolve this problem. Can
> > someone point me in the right direction?
> >
> > Thanks guys!
> >
> > Holophote
>
>


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[KaeZoo]

Actually David's got the most likely cause. Many Fords/Mercurys around that
model year didn't have a ground wire; they grounded through the metal
bracket at the back of the deck. You may have to attach the deck's ground
wire directly to the metal in the dash.


"butterman" > wrote in message
news:opXXa.15836$tf.7275@lakeread03...
> Lets see, it sounds like you have a serious problem. You should ask
someone
> about it.
>
> J/K
>
> Maybe you could only drive during the day time,??
>
> J/K
> Ok if there is a wiring problem, i would wire the deck directly to the
> Battery.
>
> Also if you have an Auto Zone in your area have them do a free electrical
> test.
> Good Luck
>
> "David" > wrote in message
> news:pQVXa.8419$ug.1042@lakeread01...
> > Sounds like you have the radio grounded to the dimmer or illumination
> wire.
> >
> > Remove and unplug the radio. Use a test light or meter to check for
> voltage
> > on the radio 'ground' when the lights are on...
> >
> > When testing wires in the radio cavity, an illumination or dimmer wire
> will
> > appear to be a ground until the lights are on.
> >
> > David
> > UnderTheDash.com
> >
> > "Holophote" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > > I've got a 1991 Sable station wagon. I can operate the
> > > stereo by depressing the on-off switch or by turning
> > > on the car headlights! The moment the headlights are
> > > turned on the stereo goes off.
> > >
> > > My guess (only a feeble guess!) is that some of the
> > > wiring or the wire terminals have oxidized, corroded
> > > that is. The resistance in the wiring has increased.
> > > When the headlights are turned the the voltage drops
> > > because the wires can no longer handle a full load.
> > >
> > > I hope this not the case. If it is there is probably
> > > nothing I can do about it. Maybe there is a component
> > > I could replace that would resolve this problem. Can
> > > someone point me in the right direction?
> > >
> > > Thanks guys!
> > >
> > > Holophote
> >
> >
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.507 / Virus Database: 304 - Release Date: 8/4/03
>
>

[Holophote]

"KaeZoo" > wrote in message >...
> Actually David's got the most likely cause. Many Fords/Mercurys around that
> model year didn't have a ground wire; they grounded through the metal
> bracket at the back of the deck. You may have to attach the deck's ground
> wire directly to the metal in the dash.
>
>
> "butterman" > wrote in message
> news:opXXa.15836$tf.7275@lakeread03...
> > Lets see, it sounds like you have a serious problem. You should ask
> someone
> > about it.
> >
> > J/K
> >
> > Maybe you could only drive during the day time,??
> >
> > J/K
> > Ok if there is a wiring problem, i would wire the deck directly to the
> > Battery.
> >
> > Also if you have an Auto Zone in your area have them do a free electrical
> > test.
> > Good Luck
> >
> > "David" > wrote in message
> > news:pQVXa.8419$ug.1042@lakeread01...
> > > Sounds like you have the radio grounded to the dimmer or illumination
> wire.
> > >
> > > Remove and unplug the radio. Use a test light or meter to check for
> voltage
> > > on the radio 'ground' when the lights are on...
> > >
> > > When testing wires in the radio cavity, an illumination or dimmer wire
> will
> > > appear to be a ground until the lights are on.
> > >
> > > David
> > > UnderTheDash.com
> > >
> > > "Holophote" > wrote in message
> > > om...
> > > > I've got a 1991 Sable station wagon. I can operate the
> > > > stereo by depressing the on-off switch or by turning
> > > > on the car headlights! The moment the headlights are
> > > > turned on the stereo goes off.
> > > >
> > > > My guess (only a feeble guess!) is that some of the
> > > > wiring or the wire terminals have oxidized, corroded
> > > > that is. The resistance in the wiring has increased.
> > > > When the headlights are turned the the voltage drops
> > > > because the wires can no longer handle a full load.
> > > >
> > > > I hope this not the case. If it is there is probably
> > > > nothing I can do about it. Maybe there is a component
> > > > I could replace that would resolve this problem. Can
> > > > someone point me in the right direction?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks guys!
> > > >
> > > > Holophote
> > >
> > >
I soldered a small lug to the ground wire. The metal chassis
of the deck turned out to be the most solid ground. A machine
screw holding a plastic bracket to the back of the stereo
served as a good mounting point for the ground wire. All the
problems went away.

Thanks to all.

Holophote