Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Lights Still Dimming

Ok, I know I'm reposting but there was an error in the first post. To recap, I installed an alpine hu and replaced the rear speakers with mb quart ones. The problem I'm having is that the hu's lights dim/blink when the bass hits when the volumes turned up. I have no amp or subs yet. But its the hu's lights that are dimming, not the headlights or dash lights. I went to tweeter and they told me its something to do with the connection, but I double checked everything and its connected fine with wire nuts. It also seems like the sound becomes slightly distorted at higher volumes. Anyway, I know when the lights dim, theres not enough power going to the speakers, so what could be the problem here? Someone suggested my battery terminals need cleaning, but the car doesn't run off of the battery when its running, so thats out of the picture. Someone else mentioned the fact that I have two factory speakers still...not sure about that. All help is appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Did you run a new, dedicated power feed wire from the battery to the Alpine HU like the other poster advised?

Gotta do that with the Alpines. They want too much juice for the stock harness. The lights in the Alpine are dimming because you are strangling it for power. Run a good power wire for it and the dimming will stop. The sound will improve as well.

Dan

What guage wire do you suggest using for this? Same guage as the wire on the harness that comes with the hu? Where can I pass it through the firewall fairly easily? Thanks.

Check the manual that came with the HU. It should say what gauge wire to use. Make sure you have an inline fuse on it.

And run the wire through whichever place you can get to work. Be creative!

Dan

Ok, I ran a 14 guage wire from the yellow wire on the headunit directly to the battery through the firewall, but the problem is not solved. Lights on the headunit are still blinking when the bass hits at loud volumes. What can I try next to fix the problem?

I may be wrong, but it sounds to me like you are pushing your deck a little too hard.

I just installed a system and it consists of an alpine head unit...with the head unit and type R 5x7s in the doors and no amp my lights on the hu would dim also. When the amp was installed it solved the problem. If you are planning on getting an amp i wouldnt worry too much about it until the amp is installed.

Your running your Deck to hard. Even with the Dedicated Power wire it still doesn't have enough Power. IF you turn down your bass then it won't do it. Get a Sub set your Bass to -1 and you will never have a problem

4 guage