lights flicker w/ head unit
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=109082
Printed Date: May 14, 2024 at 6:43 PM
Topic: lights flicker w/ head unit
Posted By: coolen
Subject: lights flicker w/ head unit
Date Posted: November 20, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Whenever i turn on the head unit for my stereo, it flickers my lights. also, when i'm sitting without the engine running, my dome light will dim itself out once n' a while. i'm thinking ground issues....any thoughts? thanks
Replies:
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 20, 2008 at 4:03 PM
What vehicle? How was it installed? What else is in the system? ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: coolen
Date Posted: November 21, 2008 at 7:11 AM
it is a 95 nissan 4 x 4. there are all LED emergency lighting on the truck, with a fed sig unitrol siren. it's a pioneer deck, which is running 2 10'' subs. MTX amp and cap. the cap and amp are grounded seperatley, but at the same spot.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 21, 2008 at 9:50 AM
With all that extra electronic gear in the car it could be anything. But most likely it has nothing to do with the head unit (unless the wiring was done incorrectly or there is a loose wire that is shorting out behind the dash.) Most likely it is your sub amp and you have overloaded the electrical system. What is your system voltage when you see dimming lights? Have you upgraded the big 3? ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: coolen
Date Posted: November 21, 2008 at 11:38 AM
even without the truck/amp running, if i sit in the driveway, turn the deck on, my interior lights will dim. without anything on- if i turn on my dome light, it will "surge" while it's on. that's why i'm thinking it's a truck side wiring issue. the big 3 is done other than bat neg to chasis.
Posted By: ckeeler
Date Posted: November 21, 2008 at 1:15 PM
the battery negative to chassis is probably THE most important cable you should have changed. its also always the most overlooked as well, for the life of me i cant figure out why though.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 21, 2008 at 2:33 PM
^^ Agreed with that comment. Pull the fuse for your sub amp and see if the HU by itself causes voltage fluctuations. If so, pull it and inspect the wiring installation. Plus, depending on how old it is, it IS a Pioneer, which is pretty much a disposable brand when they start having problems. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: coolen
Date Posted: November 24, 2008 at 8:11 AM
hmmm, maybe i'll swap out my deck. without the engine running, my dome light cuts it's light output in and out. if that makes sense. it will be bright, then dim a bit, then brighten itself up. that shouldn't have anything to do with my alternator should it? thanks
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 24, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Does the fluctuation follow the music (meaning when it is louder or when there is more bass, the light gets dimmer)? If so, and the engine is off, then it's simply that the system is too much for your battery. This is very common, and why I suggested pulling the sub amp fuse to see if it is related to your head unit (as you apparently think) or if it is a simple overload situation. If it does not follow the music, then you have a bad wiring issue or a defective piece of gear. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: coolen
Date Posted: November 24, 2008 at 11:21 AM
No, this is when i'm just sitting in my truck with the radio low, not loud at all. the only issues that i see with my stereo, is when i turn my deck on, that's when the headlights will flicker. but if i'm just sitting in the truck listening to whatever, the light does it's dim, bright, dim......and so on. thanks
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 24, 2008 at 11:38 AM
coolen wrote:
No, this is when i'm just sitting in my truck with the radio low, not loud at all. the only issues that i see with my stereo, is when i turn my deck on, that's when the headlights will flicker. but if i'm just sitting in the truck listening to whatever, the light does it's dim, bright, dim......and so on. thanks
Well then like I said, either the load of the system is too much for your battery, or the battery is old or defective, or the head unit or sub amp is wired incorrectly. I'd vote first for the battery just being overloaded and/or not holding a charge properly. Running any system on the battery alone for any length of time is likely to cause issues, as they really are not designed for that. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: coolen
Date Posted: January 13, 2009 at 1:34 PM
I had to return to this topic. I'm still experiencing the same issues, and also as i obviously forgot to mention- is that I have a optima red top in my truck. the battery is only maybe 4 months old or so. i double checked all the wiring and completed the big 3 upgrade. Still no change. So i guess i'm down to trying a different head unit. i was going to put my jvc in but i forgot that i let the harness go with my last car. i gotta find a new harness. i'm just wondering if one of those voltage stabilizers would be a wise investment for me?
Posted By: airhed692005
Date Posted: January 13, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Hello mine was doing the same thing and come to find out it was the headlight switch drawing the power to make them do that. The switch was starting to go bad and was shorting out. Might want to look into that one or the voltage regulator might be going as well.
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