when i turn my headlights on my stereo turns on and off...wtf.

 

Who installed your stereo? You might wanna check what power sources were tapped into for you 12V constant and 12V switched on your deck.

 

Yeah. Shorts like this can sometimes cause the alternator to fail over extended periods of time.

 

Sounds like someone used the 12V Illumination signal in the wiring harnes for a ground.

Your stereo is wired wrong.

 

Micky mouse installed the radio and used the red/black lumination lead in back of the radio as ground for the radio.

Or you have a bad alt and or battery.


Man, I just covered this last week. Please use the search function found in the upper right hand corner or the page.

 

my stereo has been installed for a year now...and i installed it right...just like i do everything else on my fc..i dont rig anything........this just started last night.....so i dont think what you said the other day could help....some of you guys get your pantys in a twist real easy..

 

get your pantys in a twist real easy..

Well, now that's never happend before.

 

lol

 

Well first Mark didn't know it just started! So chill out ! Anyway try regrounding it, also it could be your battery or alt, do any interior lights flicker when the headlights come on? Good luck!

 

Then the second part of my reply comes into play...

What is the voltage on the voltmeter when this is happening?

Anything under 12.6 volts and you are running on battery power and the alt is not making enough juice to even run the car.

Anything under 13.6 volts and the alt is not making enough juice to charge the battery.

 

sorry mark i did not mean to jump on your back...nah man none of the lights flicker.....just the power to my stereo. where do i start with this issue?

this forum is great and so are you guys for helping me out.
peace

 

again:

 

could be a grounding issue

 

First start off by taking the stereo out and checking the voltage on the +12v power wire. Seeing if it cuts out completely or just drops in voltage when you turn the stereo on...
Your post is more than a little vague, then ya get pissed when we dont' understand completely.
Does the stereo turn back on after a second? That's what it sounds like.
If that's the case than it could be the capacitor in the main power supply for the radio, in which case the radio is kindof junk.
I would recommend to you cleaning the battery post contacts, the alternator post contacts, adding an extra cable from the pos terminal on the alternator to the pos terminal on the battery, and an extra ground from the battery to the chassis. It really boosts your charging system and takes stress off it.
Check the power wire on the radio to make sure it isn't holding on by one strand.

 

Do what bambam said, see what the voltage is when you turn on the headlights. Thanks for the tip about new battery wires, I am gonna do that when I get my 7 (makes sense)!