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Dimming of radio and air conditioner controls....

Discussion in '8G Lancer - General Information' started by Giovanaskie, Dec 15, 2007.

  1. Giovanaskie

    Giovanaskie Active Member

    I installed an aftermarket amp and subwoofer to my GTS and since i used the factory radio i had to get a high/low converter for the RCA's...however after i finished installing everything i noticed that the numbers for navigating throughout the stations, along with the air conditioner controller were dimmed out...i can only see them very very lightly...at first i thought it was the dimmer switch located on the guages but i tried that and nothing happened...than i tried turning off the amp but it still did the same thing...i checked to make sure everything was connected correctly along with the high/low converter...i dont know if i may need to change the fuse for the radio to a bigger fuse size or what can be done??? the only lights that dim are basically all the lights that are under the radio but not the lights where you can read what station is on the radio...... someone please help me out... :? :?:
     
    Giovanaskie, Dec 15, 2007
    #1
  2. playa213xx

    playa213xx Well-Known Member

    where did you connect your remote wire to? and you should splice into an accessory wire(i don't know which one it is) but make sure you have an inline fuse for it.
     
    playa213xx, Dec 15, 2007
    #2
  3. Giovanaskie

    Giovanaskie Active Member

    I connected the remote wire to the cigarette lighter fuse...however i dont think its the remote because the amp turns on and off just fine as i turn the ignition to ACC along with turning the car on... i had also disconnected the amp and the dimming still occured...i believe the hi/low converter has something to do with it but im not to sure about that...i spliced into the wires from the radio to connect the hi/low converter to one of the speakers (which ended being the right front passenger speaker)...i guess when i get the chance i will disconnect the hi/low converter and 2 c if that could be the problem, but then if that the case what the hell can i do to get the sub and amp to work???
     
    Giovanaskie, Dec 16, 2007
    #3
  4. Guest

    Guest Guest

    does ur hi/lo have a ground wire and di u connect it. if so besure that u didnt mistaken the ground as the parking light wire(aka dimmer wire). if u used a meter(hopefully a multimeter) reuse meter and c if the wire u used shows 12v or lights up ur test light(not the best testing tool) when u turn on ur parking lights. very common mistake not to b bumbed about. just disconnect and ground to chassis.
     
    Guest, Dec 16, 2007
    #4
  5. Giovanaskie

    Giovanaskie Active Member

    Well actually my hi/low converter did come with a wire which i believed was the ground wire and i did connect it to the chassis...this was the first time i installed it....i then went and re checked to make sure everything was connected correctly and it was but this time i disconnected the ground wire, but the dimming was still there...im basically lost from here i dont know wut to try n e more... :?
     
    Giovanaskie, Dec 17, 2007
    #5
  6. WildBill

    WildBill Well-Known Member

    What is the power rating of the subs/amp you used. Some cars have a cheaper/weaker alternator that, when adding something that drains a chunk of the power, will cause others to receive less voltage. I don't think just one amp and a sub would do ths, but you never know and it gives you a place to check. Best of Luck.

    Bill
     
    WildBill, Dec 18, 2007
    #6
  7. Giovanaskie

    Giovanaskie Active Member

    Well actually my amp is only 400 watts and the sub 600, but i dont think its them because i disconnected them and the dimming still continued...i have a strong feeling its the hi/low converter but i dont have time as of now to disconnect it and make sure it is that...thats y i wanted to see if anyone has installed an aftermarket system with their factory radio and if they experienced the same issue...if anyone has actually installed an aftermarket system with their factory radio, please inform me how u installed your hi/low converter i may have spliced into the wrong speaker wires...
     
    Giovanaskie, Dec 18, 2007
    #7
  8. prcdslnc13

    prcdslnc13 Well-Known Member

    the dimming that is seen using an aftermarket amp isnt continuous either. It will occur during large power draws, ie; loud points in the music or big bass hits. The head lights will pulse to the music. Neat effect until you get pulled over for it or your alternator dies lol.
     
    prcdslnc13, Dec 18, 2007
    #8
  9. Giovanaskie

    Giovanaskie Active Member

    I have a switch connected to the remote wire and i turn the amp off, with no bass and no power to the amp and the dimming still occurs...also the dimming doesnt happen whenever there is some bass, it automatically dims whenever i turn the headlights on...everything else is fine such as the guages, the controls on the steering wheel and even the radio light where you see the station being transmitted....everything from the numbers on the radio and down is what dims....
     
    Giovanaskie, Dec 18, 2007
    #9
  10. playa213xx

    playa213xx Well-Known Member

    Did you check the fuse in your power wire? Also you can check the rating on your battery with a multi-meter to see if its the alternator or not. it should say 14.6 or so if the alternator is working correctly. If this comes out normal then you can elminate the alternator as a possible cause. Thats the best way of doing electrical problems.

    Elimate the problems my man!!
     
    playa213xx, Dec 20, 2007
    #10
  11. nanonyc

    nanonyc Well-Known Member

    I think you should try doing things from the beginning... like disconnect the remote wire... which I think it is the problem.... since the lighter is indirectly connected to dimming... dont just use a switch... disconect that and trouble shoot from there.... I personally dont think its the Hi/Low converter because I believe you only connect them to the speaker wires and the ground... to chasys.. hopefully that might help you out...
     
    nanonyc, Dec 20, 2007
    #11
  12. Giovanaskie

    Giovanaskie Active Member

    Ima try that thanx...lets c wut happens...
     
    Giovanaskie, Dec 20, 2007
    #12
  13. playa213xx

    playa213xx Well-Known Member

    yeah like i said before...you should connect your remote wire to the accessory wire...i wasn't sure which one it was but if you look under the steering column it should be a skinny(20 Gauge i think) green wire. There are four wires coming from the steering column. Providing your not color blind(no offense if you are) it shouldn't be too hard to find.
     
    playa213xx, Dec 20, 2007
    #13