Deck turns off when headlights come on

[drftchic]

Ok I know this has to be a stupid question but heres the scoop

I just rigged my clarion deck into my 240sx, I bought the plug to go with it and connected all the wires but there was no place to connect the illumination wire. Well the deck didnt work and I couldnt figure it out but appearently when the illumination wire touched the metal on the cd player it worked. So i just grounded the thing to the deck itself so it would work. All was good till I turned on my headlights and my deck lost all power. So this sucks...I dont know a thing about car audio, I work on the engine but i cant figure out my freaking cd wiring problems. I just want to be able to listen to my cds at night!!!Please help

[drftchic]

bump

[Rex]

Here's a few threads that may apply ...

zerothread?id=99960http://forums.nicocl ... d?id=94233 Wiringhttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=78201

Hope those help.

[Silvia2b]

Try switching the ground wire on your headunit if it is aftermarket, to a chassis location instead of the factory harness. Do this imediately, so you don't fry you dimmer switch.

[onosqv]

That's funny because my radio will turn on w/ the headlights (even when key is not in ignition).

Anyway, a multimeter would be one of your best friends at this point. Make sure you have your ground, power, & illumination wires set up correctly.

[drftchic]

well thanks guys I found it needed another ground wire.... I didnt have the metal brackets and nissans have two grounds so I just ran a ground wire to the mount hole and it solved the problem. thanks

[Silvia2b]

Yup that works too. I usually try to use a point that is back in the dash, and not one of the mounting holes on Nissan, and Mazdas with ISO brackets, since that way it can work while it is removed from the dash but still plugged in. That way you can test before you re-install everything.