radio/headlight problem?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 25
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From: tampa,fl
radio/headlight problem?
im gonna start this off by saying i searched for a couple hours before making this post! ok my truck is a 1984 F250 stock radio,(i just bought the truck) when i turn the head lights on the radio goes off but i can still hear the speakers making a kind of popping sound. all the radio wires are original... however there is a wire coming from under the dash(looks like it goes into the steering column) running to the solenoid. the wire is red and light blue? does anybody have any ideas im going to get my test light out tomorrow and start poking around. just looking for any advice thanks! -Josh
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Honolulu, HI
Is the engine running when you try this? Engine off? Charging system okay? Battery in good condition?
I ask this because, it sounds like there is not enough power in the electrical system to handle both loads. Had this happen to me a few years ago.
The radio and headlights might have been wired up to the same circuit, who knows what the PO did before you...
I ask this because, it sounds like there is not enough power in the electrical system to handle both loads. Had this happen to me a few years ago.
The radio and headlights might have been wired up to the same circuit, who knows what the PO did before you...
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 25
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From: tampa,fl
it does it when the engine is running and not running, everything else on the truck is in good working order. the only thing i can tell is out of place is the red/blue wire coming from the steering column is cut and spliced into another wire that someone ran to the solenoid, which if im not mistaken is where its supposed to go anyways. why would they do this? does this wire go to something else and maybe that failed?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Honolulu, HI
The HVAC controls do have lights, but that hooked up to the light switch as well, as are the rest of the dash lights (behind cluster, light/washer symbols, the radio (if stock) has a light in it)
What does a voltmeter say on the switched +12v wire to the radio when you turn on the headlights?
I don't have my wiring diagram in front of me at the moment, but I know a wire goes to the soleniod when in the start or run position, don't know which one though.
If the radio is wired to stock radio wires? or spliced in another way?
Might be a good idea to check the fuse panel first and go through each troubled circuit one-at-a-time. PITA, but at least you'll know whats good or not.
What does a voltmeter say on the switched +12v wire to the radio when you turn on the headlights?
I don't have my wiring diagram in front of me at the moment, but I know a wire goes to the soleniod when in the start or run position, don't know which one though.
If the radio is wired to stock radio wires? or spliced in another way?
Might be a good idea to check the fuse panel first and go through each troubled circuit one-at-a-time. PITA, but at least you'll know whats good or not.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: tampa,fl
update- my radio doesent have the green/yellow wire it has an orange/grey hash wire that isnt hooked up?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
It sounds like the radio is grounding through the radio dial illumination circut. This wire is Light Blue/Red stripe in color. When you turn the headlamps on, the radio loses it's ground as this turns on the illumination lamps. Remove the fuse to the illumination lamps (F-13), and see if the radio works at all. If my theory is correct it won't work with that fuse removed.
Since it is a stock factory radio, make sure the rear mounting surface for the radio is clean and tight and has a clean metal to metal connection between the dash and the rear support. Sand it clean if nessecery. It may be required to add a ground wire to the radio if the dash metal is extremely rusty. The Factory radios did not have a seperate ground wire. It grounded through the case of the radio directly to the dash metal.
Let us know what you discover and report back.
Here is a factory radio wiring diagram.
That wire is for the Power Antenna Option for some high end luxury cars. It's unused on the pickups. The 80's pickups used the same style radio as some of the earlier cars and vans.
Since it is a stock factory radio, make sure the rear mounting surface for the radio is clean and tight and has a clean metal to metal connection between the dash and the rear support. Sand it clean if nessecery. It may be required to add a ground wire to the radio if the dash metal is extremely rusty. The Factory radios did not have a seperate ground wire. It grounded through the case of the radio directly to the dash metal.
Let us know what you discover and report back.
Here is a factory radio wiring diagram.
That wire is for the Power Antenna Option for some high end luxury cars. It's unused on the pickups. The 80's pickups used the same style radio as some of the earlier cars and vans.
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Radio vs. Headlights
Since I don,t have a "you left your lights on dummy" bell in my 87, I wired the radio to the light circut so the radio wont shut off if my lights are still on. btw I also had a brief period of forgetfulness and got tired of asking for jumps! Reason I say this is I have been trying to track down why my dash lights went out and I think this post helped, thanks!
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: tampa,fl
i also forgot to mention that when the radio is working if i turn it up more than about half way it also cuts out and starts the same popping sound? when i turn the volume up on the radio the light bulb inside the radio gets brighter aswell help please!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 645
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From: Richlands, NC
Okay!
Dude, you had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS ME!
This is what you need to do.
Completely take out your radio. I mean, take it completely out. Now, all you should have left is the original wires.
After this is done, try your lights. (I bet you they all work)
Your radio is 110% grounding out somewhere where it shouldn't be. This is what you need to do. Take the ground wire from the radio and make your own ground on a solid piece of metal in your dash.
Then, hook up the radio with only the wires that you need for it to work. (Make sure you get the right color with the right color, except for the old ground wire. (Remember to make your own ground)
After this is done, you will have your lights and radio.
Dude, you had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS ME!
This is what you need to do.
Completely take out your radio. I mean, take it completely out. Now, all you should have left is the original wires.
After this is done, try your lights. (I bet you they all work)
Your radio is 110% grounding out somewhere where it shouldn't be. This is what you need to do. Take the ground wire from the radio and make your own ground on a solid piece of metal in your dash.
Then, hook up the radio with only the wires that you need for it to work. (Make sure you get the right color with the right color, except for the old ground wire. (Remember to make your own ground)
After this is done, you will have your lights and radio.