Head unit power issues?
Hey guys,
Since 2 nights ago, my head units started doing weird things. It started th first time while I was driving along, music maybe half way up, all of a sudden all electrics in the car flash off (except the dome which flashed on for a split second) and my head unit cut out and then turned back on straight away.
I checked my battery terminals, all good so I ignored it and kept driving, and all was fine.
Then yesterday, the head unit cut out and switched back on instantly about 5 times throughout the day. This time no flashing of illumination/headlights/dome.
It's puzzling me, it's clearly not losing 12v constant, as every time it switches off and on, all my stations, EQ presets and preferences are still there (which disappear when I disconnect the battery). Granted the last 3 days in Melbourne have been over 35 degrees, but the air con has been on when it happens and the head unit and centre radio surround area gets ice cold when AC is on, plus it's happened at night, so I don't think heat related.
Any ideas of what it could be would be helpful, I hope it's not the head unit as it cost me a pretty penny, all the bells and whistles, and it's recently out of warranty.
Thanks
hmmm not too sure but at least you know your constant memory wire is working... try taking a look at any ignition wire relation... like where the red wire (being ignition from the headdeck is connected to) see if thats lose, if no luck, check around the fuses, could be a bad wiring at the back of the fuse box or loose fuse..
Sorry i couldnt help any better but hey anythings worth a shot
How is your earth wire?
Recheck the wiring behind the head unit.
Haven't had a shot to look at the head unit wiring yet guys, and another weiRd thing happened last night that's making me think it's not the headunit.
Driving along for an hour all good, nearly home then all of a sudden head unit dies,, all illumination goes very very dim and hand brake light shows?
Had to turn the car off then on, and all was good again
WTF?
I'd get an auto electrician to get it checked out mate, too much for someone behind a computer to troubleshoot. Good luck.
Yeah I'm thinking that. As soon as I can afford to be ripped off though.
I'm thinking now a voltage drop. Just got home, on the way it died 4 times within 5 mins (the HU), and then i got a check engine light
Can a votage drop or dying alternator show check engine light?
I don't have an OBD toolbut all the electrics in the car do draw in excess of 100 amps combined...
What you have described does not sound anything like voltage drop, the electrics would not die completely.
I am unsure about the check engine light, although it does make sense to me that it may be the alternator on the way out.
How do you come to the total of 100amps? What equipment does this include?
Well head unit 10A, amps (mono and a 4ch) 60A max, power windows 20A (only when in use), headlights, brake lights, indicator, illumination combined at least 20, AC 15? Fans 20?
I mean it happens during the day and night, regardless of what's on or off, but driving a few minutes ago I switched the amps off and drove home, it still happened! And while it was happening I swear to god I heard sparking from the fuse box but all the fuses are fine :/ tended to happen when I turned left more, but that's not the only time it happens.
I was suspecting alternator but the car starts perfectly. I also suspected my negative terminal was loose as I've just chucked it on before, but that doesn't explain the check engine, and dying alternator would make mtly battery go flat fast.
Unless there's a known problem that when alternators start screwing up, instead of putting out low outputs they behave erratic and stop/start surge and Drop/die intermittently.
Just because they are fused to that rating, doesn't mean they draw anywhere near that amount of current. For instance, music is dynamic and therefore the current needed to amplify it would forever constantly changing, I would almost guarantee that the amp will never draw the full 60amp in its lifetime.
To be honest mate, if you heard sparking I would get it to an auto elec ASAP. Electricity is dangerous.
Others might be able to contribute further as far as the alternator problem goes.
well the amps are class A and Class D, one 300W RMS the other 4 x 75 RMS and ive underrated that fuse bad, it should be 80, but i dont want an AGU fuse over 60 because theyre a bad design until i can afford to get a ANL inline holder for 80, they should draw 32A roughly each at continuous according to their specs. Was driving before with the head unit off, and it still made the illumination flash when i turned corners.
Regardless, problem seems to be solved nowit was a loose negative terminal that was progressively getting looser. Explains why turns seemed to make the problem happen more and why its been getting worse the last few days. Doesnt really explain why I got a check engine or a hand brake light, but i guess a bad ground can do odd things
hope the issue doesnt come up again! thanks for all your help guys.
loose wires, conections, earth, power, memory, Loose batterty terminal or something?
As I said, was a loose negative terminal on the battery. Doesn't explain all of the symptoms but I'm not looking for answers now, just hoping it doesn't happen again.
Electricity can do weird things.
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