Lights on head unit dimming?

6inarow

Junior Member
I have a alpine CDA 7864 radio I put in my truck recently. It's a 65 watt X4 radio, and for some reason the button lights dim when the rear speakers hit any bass. If I turn the fader to the front and pound on it no problem. I've tried running bigger wire to the battery, grounding, and reversing polarity on the speaker. The button lights dim only, the display and status light doesn't whatsoever. The radio stays cool, but will heat up pretty good if you turn it up super loud. (I know this is normal) I noticed if I start the truck, and run it for a while the lights barely dim. Someone suggested a bad capacitor in the radio and its no big deal, and someone else suggested lack of voltage. I'm running 13.8 volts alternator going, and 12 volts shut off. My thousand watt amp has absolutely no issues with my battery and alternator, but the radio doesn't like something.

Any suggestions? Only radio that's done it. My whole system is built around it being it runs 65 watts on four channels.

 
I have a alpine CDA 7864 radio I put in my truck recently. It's a 65 watt X4 radio, and for some reason the button lights dim when the rear speakers hit any bass. If I turn the fader to the front and pound on it no problem. I've tried running bigger wire to the battery, grounding, and reversing polarity on the speaker. The button lights dim only, the display and status light doesn't whatsoever. The radio stays cool, but will heat up pretty good if you turn it up super loud. (I know this is normal) I noticed if I start the truck, and run it for a while the lights barely dim. Someone suggested a bad capacitor in the radio and its no big deal, and someone else suggested lack of voltage. I'm running 13.8 volts alternator going, and 12 volts shut off. My thousand watt amp has absolutely no issues with my battery and alternator, but the radio doesn't like something.
Any suggestions? Only radio that's done it. My whole system is built around it being it runs 65 watts on four channels.
65W max per channel. more than likely around 12-18 RMS

 
If I was pulling too much wouldn't it shut the radio off then? Or fry it? I've been running it like this for half a year no problem. I'm just worried about it and want peace of mind. I think I should get advice before I buy a new one.

 
What do you have the orange wire from the Alpine connected to? Check it carefully...

Illumination Lead (Orange)

This lead may be connected to the vehicle's instrument cluster illumination lead. This will allow the backlighting of the CDA-7965/CDA-7864/CDA- 7863/CDA-7862 to dim whenever the vehicle's lights are turned on.

 
It's connected to the headlight switch. When the orange wire goes high the radio dims. I unplugged this wire, wrapped it in tape, and the problem still persisted.

 
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6inarow

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