Stereo vs. Headlights

[Weston_Duyck]

So I just hooked up a stereo in my sisters car and it all worked great. Then when she turned on her headlights to drive home the stereo lost power. All the wires are stock so I have no idea what the problem is. Any ideas?

[subydaddy]

There is most likely an exposed wire touching metal behind the cd player somwhere. Once the headlights are turned on it sends power to the illumination wire it grounds out and blows the fuse. Go back in there and have some electrical tape handy. Cover any exposed wire with a general amount of tape

It could also be a wire hooked up incorrectly at the harness.

Have you found it which fuse blew (the one in the car or the one on the cd player)?

This happened to my friend in his honda. It wouldn't always blow a fuse once the headlights were turned on but the wire was close to metal and depending on bumps and what not. But only his headlights would work when the fuse blew. Tail lights, marker lights, interior lights all went out. It just depends on how the car is wired up.

[Weston_Duyck]

I think I figured it out. I believe my ground has a poor connection and something to do with the illumination wire. But thanks for replying so quick, I'll get back in there and get it done right.

[__TT__]

You grounded your radio to the illumination wire. Ground it to chassis

[Weston_Duyck]

Fixed it. Now I just need to find an always hot wire so she can keep her programing because the stock one doesn't work I guess. Any ideas for that one? Lol

[__TT__]

I would check your fuses under the hood, there is no reason you shouldn't have a constant in there unless the fuse is popped. I can get you wire color tomorrow.

[Weston_Duyck]

Oh I didn't even think about that. Thanks