backlighting dimmer after radio swap

Jan 03, 2005 4 Replies
H

I swapped out my Pioneer in dash CD player for a Sony CDX-F5705X so that I could run an audio cable from the back of the stereo into the compartment below it (where I'll can leave my iPod cabled up to the auxiliary input)



I noticed my backlighting for my speedometer and rpm and that whole cluster is dimmer after this radio installation. Also the AC/Heating controls have no backlight at all. I can't remember now though if that was ever backlit.



Also I notice when turning on my headlights, (which turns on the backlighting for the instruments, I hear a click from behind the stereo.. Never heard that before with the old one).. I'm assuming this is not a coincidence.



Any clue what's going on hear? Is the stereo drawing too much power? Did the installer botch the installation? Should a stereo install even have involved these cables related to instrument backlighting?


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L

try turning knurled dial on steering column to adjust lighting on dials.

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M

Sounds miswired to me. LittleJon's post about adjusting the dimmer may sound odd, but if the stereo is wired correctly it will have no effect with the driving lights off... if it adjusts the panel lights you can be sure it is miswired.

The symptoms you describe probably come from the panel dimmer thinking the driving lights are on. That would be from the stereo installation backfeeding power from the stereo into the lights. Ditto with the headlight click... I expect the dimmer wire and one of the power wires are swapped in the stereo wiring.

Mike

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H

Well, I actually had forgot that knurled knob was a dimmer for those controls. The installer must have turned it down, because turning it up brought back the illumination I was accustomed to for both the main display, as well as the AC backlighting.

Having asked the installer, he said he noticed the same thing when checking the voltages, that the Volvo flickers power to the accessory wire when turning my headlights from on to the parking lights position.

It doesn't turn the radio on or off.. Doesn't appear to be a problem at all.

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