Radio only works with lights on

[2840ryan]

Problem, My pioneer mp3 radio used to work great for 1 year. Then all of a sudden, when I turn the key on, the radio would just flicker, along with half of the dash lights. It would flicker on for about 1 second, then off for 4 seconds. I found out, if I turn my running lights on, the radio would work just fine. It keeps the clock and all the presets stations. I have not found anything else that is affected. I pulled my radio, checked the power and ignition wire and my ground. The power and ignition wire does not flicker, nor does the ground. My radio fuses are good. I even tried hooking up my power and ignition wire from my radio to a) the power wire from the car, and b) the ignition wire from the car. Same thing happens. I even tried to disconnect the dimmer wire to the radio. nothing changed. I'm stumped. I've searched the forums, and I can't find a solution. Please Help!

Thanks!

 

[PXHero]

If I'm understanding correctly, if you disconnect the illumination wire (orange, or orange/white) from the radio, it still turns on but only with the lights on... If you leave the car ignition off, and turn on the lights what happens with the radio? Does it turn on/"flicker"?

Possibilities (in order of probability):

Bad radio. Something may have shorted in the radio.

Bad ground. Is your ground clean? Free from rust and/or paint? Screwed into the metal, not on a factory bolt?

Bad wiring between the radio and the car. Are the connections between the radio and the car crimped or soldered and taped? If not, DO THAT FIRST. Wire nuts are not meant to be used in a mobile application, and are unacceptable. Just twisting the wires and taping them is almost as bad and should only be done for extreme temporary situations.

Bad wiring in the car. Have fun tracking through your dash and finding where something has melted/and or cracked.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[2840ryan]

If I leave the car ignition off, and turn on the lights, nothing happens except the lights will come on, because the radio turns on with the the ignition.

The radio does work because I removed the radio and connected the power wire, the ignition wire, and the ground directly to the battery and it works just fine.

The ground is good and clean.

The connections are all crimped. I hate wire nuts! (except for home wiring)

I'm afraid that it would be bad wiring in the car. I have a buyer for the car, and I think he's wanting to pick it up this weekend! I may just run new power and ignition wires to it from the fuse panel or something.


I hope someone has another idea

Thanks!

 

[PXHero]

If it's maintaining station presets, then there shouldn't be anything wrong with the Constant 12V, but maybe it's not getting enough voltage on the switched wire... Is the switched source showing +12? You probably just need to run the switched if it's not... just at thought if you're going the run new wiring route!

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance!

 

[2840ryan]

I was playing with some fuses and relays. I found out that if I pull the tail light fuse, the radio won't come on. Also, If i pull the relay for the tail lights, it won't come on. Is there any normal connection with the radio and tail lights?

 

[2840ryan]

I found out how to fix it. Something was wrong with the ground. I was using the factory radio ground so I cut that wire, and made my own ground. It works great now! But I'm still confused on how and why. Oh well, it's fixed, and I should be selling the car today :/
I hate to sell it, but my wife and I are trying to have our first child. So we're looking for a four door honda or something. An Evo would be great! but we can't afford that.


Thanks PXHero for your ideas and your time!

Ryan

 

[PXHero]

Awesome that it's fixed! There's not much I can help with tuning and engine wise, but I know a bit about electronics (I did say to check the ground didn't I?) Good luck on the sale, and thanks for posting the resolution to the problem!