Why does my aftermarket car stereo turn on and off when I turn my headlights on and off?

Question

I have a 93 civic. the stock harness was ripped out when my cd player was stolen. I am connecting wire to wire on an afermarket aiwa headunit. I am coneccting ground to ground, 12v constant to 12 v constant and 12v acc to 12v acc. Out of the car there is an extra white w blue stripe wire. when i hook up that wire to one of the cars power sources (constant or acc) my car clock illuminates, otherwise, the clock stays really dim. The dilemma is this, now, my radio only works with my headlights illuminated and my car clock will not keep its memory. everytime i restart my vehicle the clock resets to 1:00. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I hate to say it, but it sounds like your wiring is messed up badly. First of all, your radio is working with the headlights because you have the factory illumination wire connected to the radio's switched power input. The radio is mistaking the headlight switch for the key switch.

The clock is losing its settings probably because its fuse is blown; the clock and radio share a constant power fuse. However, with the fuse blown it shouldn't come on at all. It comes on when the car comes on because you have a switched power circuit wired together with the clock's constant power circuit; most likely you have the constant and switched power wires connected together behind the radio. You need to fix that situation before you replace the constant power fuse for the clock, or your accessories will stay on with the car off and drain your battery.

First, I'd disconnect everything behind the radio and start from scratch. Make sure no two factory wires are connected into each other. Replace the clock fuse in the fuse box under the hood. Then get a wire diagram for your vehicle http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/HA-Wiring.pdf and rewire everything correctly; or take it to a professional for the installation.

Answer 2

The problem is that your receiver's power wiring are wrong. It should be the universal colors. Connect the red one to the switchable source. Connect the yellow one with a continuous source (car's battery) and connect the black with the ground (also can be connected to the car chassis). Apparently you connect the power wires to instrument panel lights wire and when you turn on the lights you give power at the same time to your radio that's why work only with lights on.

Answer 3

When your headlights turn on the clock is supposed to dim so I think that white/blue wire is your problem. Wire it to other source.

Answer 4

you have it wired to a switched power source - hook the main power up to a different circuit and the memory wire for the clock to something that stays powered all the time

Answer 5

You motor vehicle does not have sufficient skill to spare. All those upload-ons grab skill and the source is finite. Have one greater battery put in to run all that stuff or do away with the belongings you do not truly choose, such because of the fact the interior disco-club lighting fixtures. The hid low beams in all probability have fairly all of us hating you at nighttime once you blind them. My effect is which you and your truck are an obnoxious nuisance.