Eclipse to VW illum probs

I just hooked up a CD8435 into my moms 2000 VW Jetta, and when the lights are turned on the display flashes like its shorting out. (only the lights in the radio station pre set buttons, and other buttons around the outside,,,not the screen or knobs)  If the dimmer is turned down, the flashing gets quicker until it turns off.

I have never seen that before, any idea's?

P.S.  OMG! This unit sounds SWEEETTT  Im histarical over how much better this unit sounds than my "top of the line" Alpine. What have i been missing......

the car uses a dimmer that controls the duty cycle of the output on the wire.(PWM)...the dimmer control pulses the output to the bulbs on and off...very fast, and varies the on time of the voltage is present.  this averages the amount of voltage too anywhere from 1v to 11v or so.  it measures 12v dc because that's what's on the wire but varies as an AC voltage. you can use a parking light lead instead or a one amp diode (1n4001)and small electrolytic capacitor (100uF or less) to act as a filter to smooth out the pulses on the dimmer lead.  hope this helps

mark

That was my thought......disconect it WoW ?

After you disconect.....does the problem go away?

it should go away, i've seen the same problem in Range Rovers when i added an Alpine nav.  the circuitry for the dimmer portion of the nav isn't setup to accept AC voltages. i think it's why a lot of manufacturers have you go to a parking lamp lead for illumination.  more of my two cents.

mark