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    str33t punk's Avatar
    str33t punk Posts: 78, Reputation: 4
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    #1

    May 20, 2010, 06:03 AM
    Stereo works until lights turn on then it shuts off?
    Hello I just installed a new stereo in a 1977 comaro. The comaro had 3 wires that looked like ground so I hooked my stereo up leaving the 2 extra wires. When I turn the car on the stereo works fine and plays loud. Once I turn the lights on the volt meter goes crazy. The stereo cuts out. The lights flicker then shut off. And then the stereo comes back on once the lights are off? I'm thinking it's a grounding issue and I should wire a direct wire from the stereo to the battery ground? Any advice?
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,490, Reputation: 2853
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    #2

    May 20, 2010, 07:22 AM

    Why don't you ground the system to the chassis. You clearly tapped into the wrong wire for the return path.

    Chassis grounding is only an issue with Corvettes... and older vehicles with a positive chassis ground... and a handfull of other fiberglass bodied cars. Not a Camarro
    str33t punk's Avatar
    str33t punk Posts: 78, Reputation: 4
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    #3

    May 20, 2010, 11:34 AM

    I don't know where I would groun it but I was thinking of putting something metal connected to the wire going to the battery so I have a clear ground that I can use for future wiring if I need to. Does that problem sound like a ground problem? Is there anything else I should know or are you certain it would be a grounding problem?
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,490, Reputation: 2853
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    #4

    May 20, 2010, 11:49 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by str33t punk View Post
    i dont know where i would groun it but i was thinking of putting something metal connected to the wire going to the battery so i have a clear ground that i can use for future wiring if i need to. does that problem sound like a ground problem? is there anything else i should know or are you certain it would be a grounding problem?
    The Camaro is a steel chasis car. If it starts... that battery is grounded to anything metal on the car. Find a screw that goes to any metal part of the body. Trust me you would have to look long and hard to find a part that's NOT. I always ground to the chassis. Its easy... its sure. And I don't own any of the very few cars this won't work well with, neither do you.

    I'm 100% sure you are trying to ground the radio through something that's NOT a ground. I could write an entire article explaining that, and what's happening and why... but I don't have the time.
    str33t punk's Avatar
    str33t punk Posts: 78, Reputation: 4
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    #5

    May 20, 2010, 02:20 PM
    OK thank you very much
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