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Stereo cutting out new battery added grounding kit

7K views 8 replies 3 participants last post by  madmatt2024 
#1 ·
Long time listener first time caller.
Read the READ ME FIRST FAQ.
So yes my lights dim when I do things like have all the windows up but lift up and all the power windows.
My factory deck and previous JVC bluetooth HeadUnit both had no problems with that.
Then comes the Pioneer AVH-x2800BS.
Installed fine, all wires are g2g with crimp caps.
The weather was cool in july so no worries. after a few days however I noticed the radio cut out.
Paying more attention it cuts out when I turn the steering wheel after initial startup.
That's when I roll all my windows up and realize it always cuts out with that voltage drop.
Replace the battery with a new Deep Cycle Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 from amazon.
No difference.
Check for corrosion and sand all the grounding spots and the battery connectors.
No difference.
I decide to buy a grounding kit and the Big3 to see if that helps.
Sheer the grounding bolt off my alternator(last wire of the 8 I was installing OMFG)
Have no time to fix. Local mechanic pieces something together for the original ground but the new BIG3 wire is too stiff it won't hold it.

Even with the other 7 cables nothing has changed.
Would the alternator to positive battery terminal make enough of a difference?
I'm wondering:
1.) Should I bite the bullet and replace the alternator ($150) and install the cable and PRAY it fixes my stereo cutout?
or
2.) do I take it to a local car audio shop nearby and have them diagnose it without me chasing gremlins??
Afterall my mechanic(who is unaware of the drop and stereo cut out) said the alternator was working fine.
Not sure how thoroughly he tested it though he was booked solid today.

I just want my stereo to work all the time :crying:

Any suggestions or trolling is appreciated :banana:
 
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#3 ·
Sorry noob question... When you mean at the radio do you mean in the harness?

Which one is considered power? the remote turn on cable?
These are listed in another forum as the definition of each wire. http://www.mazda3forums.com/352-tec...-wiring-diagram-finally-*edited-5-15-07*.html

TOP - In order from left to right *EDIT* These are the speaker outputs
grey w/ red stripe (FR-)
white w/ red stripe (FR+)
grey w/ black stripe (FL-)
white w/ black stripe (FL+)
solid grey (BR-)
solid white (BR+)
grey w/ white stripe (BL-)
white w/ purple stripe (BL+)

BOTTOM - In order from left to right *EDIT* These are the inputs to the amp
solid blue (remote turn on)
solid purple (FL+)
green w/ white paint (FL-)
solid red (FR+) *edit switched from FR-*
solid green (FR-) *edit switched from FR+*
brown w/ blue stripe (BL+)
yellow w/ blue stripe (BL-)
yellow w/ green stripe (BR+) *edit switched from BR-*
white w/ blue stripe (BR-) *edit switched from BR+*
 
#4 ·
I have also encountered this issue as well, but not from the head unit point of view. The cut-out for me occurred with my two underseat JBL Bass Pro SL subs (not that great actually) whenever I would turn the steering wheel to a higher degree when parking or going around sharp corners. Interestingly though my 4-channel amp would never cut out (but maybe because is class AB analog idk...).

Anyways, I know there is circuitry in the digital components that shuts them down at lower voltages as a potential damage fail-safe, but really that voltage should be significantly lower than anything which your voltage would drop down to from just turning the steering wheel or rolling up the windows. The dimming from doing those things is normal, and while yeah I'm sure an upgraded alternator would help, I don't think that's worth it or should be your solution just to keep your head unit from cutting out. That's a little insane actually. Any component designed for automotive use, especially from a name brand like Pioneer, should have higher than average voltage tolerances (aka automotive grade). I suspect that head unit should not be shutting down until ~8-9 volts. If your vehicle's voltage is dropping that low from turning the steering wheel or rolling up the windows you got some other electrical problems my friend.

My questions for you would be:
1. When the cut out occurs, what cuts out? Just the audio? Does the head unit go into sleep mode as if the car/acc was off? Or does the head unit completely shut off?
2. Do you have any amplifiers? Maybe an amp is shutting off when it isn't supposed to be when it detects these voltage drops.

It might also be worth grabbing the 12V from the cig lighter and testing that as the accessory to the head unit instead of the one from the stock harness.
If this all fails and you can verify the voltage is staying in an acceptable range, then you might have a defective head unit. Another thing that points to this is the fact you didn't have issues with the OEM head unit or your other aftermarket one.
 
#7 ·
Sorry life got in the way as it often does.
To answer your question the unit completely Powers off. I can hear the DVD player spin down and the screen blacks out.

I finally checked the Red/Yellow/Black wires. Also checked the blue-white wire that's remote on and dabbed the wires with conductive wire glue. The radio still cuts out when I roll up all 4 windows.
On the way home it was cutting out real bad so I did the wire checks and we'll see how bad it is tomorrow. It seems to be affected by the weather it was a warmer day in the mid 60's today.
When it's 40 degrees in the morning the radio might cut out once when I turn the wheel but then behaves itself.

Would there be any old bose stereo wiring in the car that would cause a cut out?? It does have crossover or old amps I think in it.... I'm not sure what else to check before I take it to a pro audio place and spend a bit of $$$ But this is getting pretty old. :verysad:
 
#8 ·
Got it solved!!!

Had to take it to a local car audio place.
Turns out the voltage for the starter lead was very weak.
The voltage was floating around 10v.
Since it would be $$$ for a car mechanic to fix/replace, they said they could bypass it.
His concern was if my radio stays on until I open the door(which of course mazda3's do not)

So $97 later. My stereo no longer cuts out! All fixed!

Never would've figured that out myself.
Guess that's why they call them pros.

Cheers!
 
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