Alpine headunit cutting out

[Semprini]

This just started recently. If I turn the volume passed 18 itll cut out, completely turn off for a second then turn back on. Before I could turn it up as high as I wanted and if it was too much it would just distort. I dont think I have a short anywhere in the speaker wires. Would that be the first guess??

 

[Boost92awd]

Do you have subs?

 

[Semprini]

nope

 

[Boost92awd]

Have you checked all the connections on the back side of the deck to make sure there all connected tight?

 

[Semprini]

No I havent taken it out yet. I didnt think that would be it since I havent meesed with the headunit itself lately. It was in the bodyshop and had a new door put on. Im wondering if the wiring in the door is messed up, because the pwoerlock doesnt work anymore either, since the new door

 

[Boost92awd]

So it worked fine untill you took it to the body shop? If so, take it back to them and have them fix the problem they caused. My guess would be something in the door got pinched or cut and thats whats causing your problem. But you should really take it back if they fixed something and now something else dosent work, thats there f*** up and now they should be the ones to fix it.

 

[Semprini]

Well thats not the case. Its a family friend that owns the shop, and he lets me do most of the work. I did most of the prep work including switching in the new door. I dont think anything got pinched. I was careful and took my time switching out the windows and such. I think maybe the harness thats in this door is f*cked somehow. It gonna be a pain to switch that over... damnit

 

[Boost92awd]

Have you tried changing the balance and fade. To take all the power away from that one side where you replaced your door and see if it works then. Or unplugging the speaker from that side and seeing if that makes it work.

 

[Car_guy_09]

The same thing was happing on one of my friends custom home stereo. We just disconnected every thing and rewired it all with heaver gauge speaker wire and soldered all the connections good and it fixed it. But like Boost92awd said if you can put all the power to one side and if works then you know that the problem is in the other side.

 

[Semprini]

I tried the balance/fade thing. It doesnt cut out either way I try it, only when its to all 4 speakers. Anything over vol 18 is where it cuts out. Even at 18 the lights on the faceplate dim to the beat

 

[pukrnukr]

Wow. I too have an alpine deck and it cuts out at exactly 18 too. Sometimes I can get it up to 20 when using the radio and its on a station that isn't as loud. Its wierd that yours just started doing this. Mine has always done it but I figured it was either because
1. I didn't wire it directly to the battery like the manual stated (I've only seen this in alpine decks) The power wire was also alot thicker than any other deck i've installed.
2. I only have stock speakers (excluding sub in trunk) and they already start to distort and would probably blow if I was able to turn it up louder.
3. I just used the stock wiring for the speaker, which is a small guage to start and its running through the stock amp.

I can't remember the model number off the top of my head, but it was a high end alpine from a few years back. It was around 50 watts RMS and was alot deeper than most decks. It also had a fuse in the back of the deck along with one inline with the power line. Obviously if the one in the power line was blown it wouldn't even turn on, but maybe the other one might be doing it. I've checked mine and it was fine but maybe it could be the problem on yours. I've been waiting to solve this until I install some new speakers all around. If you figure it out, definitely post up what was wrong or shoot me a PM.
-Vince

 

[ClipseAPG]

Hey, I have the same issue, could this ground have anything to do with it? My 2g hasn't been up and running for about almost a year but it'll be good to go in a week or so and I want everything running. I have an aftermarket previous owner-installed head unit. I don't quite remember 100% but I know the sound would just randomly cut off. If I turned it up too high then it would cut off like a skipping CD although the HU would just turn off and turn back on and sometimes it would cut off, turn on for a second, cut off again, for like 30-40 seconds until it finally worked again or I turned the volume way down. The same happened for when I switched from mp3 input or CD to radio although the volume would usually have to have been louder for it to occur with radio. I didn't have to have the engine running and it would still cut off so i think that eliminates the possibility of a loose terminal, also I wire brushed the terminals clean so that should make sure to eradicate that as a possible cause. I'm concerned about grounds though, because the previous owner did a "mickey mouse job" on the car's electrical system so maybe a ground is causing it to short randomly. Could the wire that was once supposed to be grounded to the passenger-side firewall cause it? I included a picture although I'm not sure it will work on the site. Also, I know it may be the alternator, but I want to eliminate the poor wiring of the HU or electrical system in general first and then go to the alternator. I know this was long, so I'm sorry. But I appreciate any response in advance!

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[ttetzner]

the first thing you should do is check the voltage you are running, the stereo itself shuts off at around 10.5 volts.

 

[PXHero]

Semprini:

More likely than not, it's your radio ground. Make sure you've got a solid ground by testing the resistance between where you've grounded the radio and the negative terminal of the battery. If it's anything more than 1 Ohm, then you should find a better ground. You want the resistance to be as close to 0.0 Ohms as possible.

pukrnukr:

1. All Alpine is saying when they say, 'wire it to the battery' is connect it to a +12V source that can handle the current requirements. As long as you connected it correctly (use of solder and tape, or a properly crimped crimp cap) to the +12V constant source at the radio, it shouldn't be a problem. Also, a larger +12V and Ground input is a good thing. It creates less resistance and allows current to flow easier.

2. and 3. Unless you're using a 'Amp Integration' harness with RCA's then you're sending full signal to your factory amp, and then amplifying it further which will cause the distortion you are hearing. With the Alpine I put in my GSX, I used the 'Amp Integration' harness and could max out my volume with no issues. I later bypassed the factory amplifier and used a standard wiring harness.

Also, unless the fuse is REALLY loose and not making good contact, then it's not the issue. Fuses do only two things, conduct and melt (blow). The fuse on the back of your radio does the same thing as the one inline with your +12V constant.

ClipseAPG:

Your picture did not post, and 'the wire that was once supposed to be grounded to the passenger-side firewall' is not very specific. Is it a factory wire? Is it an aftermarket wire? What is the approximate gauge? What color is it? What is it attached to? It sounds like you might have to postpone your deadline in order to make sure your electrical is up to par...