radio cuts out when I turn on headlights

[achinut]

Hello all,

I recently installed an aftermarket CD stereo in my 87 325e and it sounds great during the day, however at night when I turn on my headlights the stereo turns off. Also, rarely when I hit the brakes it causes the display to dim. I assume the stereo isnt getting power from the correct source or not enough power maybe... Any ideas/suggestions????

Thanks so much.

[gruncha1]

ok here is an idea.i had the same problem when I put a cd player in one of my friend's Nissan.You should know that there is a ground wire coming out of the cd player,but the body of the player is ground itself as well.I really do not see what is wrong with that but it came that i had grounded the player conecting the wire and at the same time the body of the player was grounded to the body of the car.I just disconnected the wire and it just went fine.So u just make shure it is grounded only at one place.I had sound and lights at the same time.By the way the CD was Sony.

[stategorgeous]

I did the same thing to my Altima and a Buick as gruncha1. As a result the parking lights fuse kept blowing whenever the head unit was powered up.

[JAKE325]

More than one grounding source can cause ground loops that can cause all sorts of wierd and wonderful problems.If one ground has more resistance than the other it causes backfeed and potential VOLTAGE difference! THE LOOP!

[gruncha1]

Thanks mate:thumbup:
Finally someone to explain it:thumbup: