Ok, I'm having issues with the cd player shutting itself off at medium to high volume (at idle all the way up to 2500 rpm, AND with the car off). I originally had thought it was my old tired JVC cd player I've had in like 5 cars now over the years, it would do this. So, I sprung this spring and bought me a brand new Kenwood Excelon KDC-X990 hoping to resolve the issue plus have a MUCH needed upgraded HU. Then I thought well maybe it's my underdrive crank pulley not letting the alternator put out enough juice at idle etc, but then I realized it does it when the car is shut off as well.
Need to know facts:
+
Big 3 upgrade-done (4awg battery to fender bolt, 4awg alt. case to engine mount bolt, 2awg alt. + to battery +)
180amp alternator (stock one just beefed up)
-
RSM underdrive crank pulley
Car came with every single option available so it possibly draws more than your average cav.
So what I'm wondering is the stock Cavalier's wiring just not up to par with the needed voltage for aftermarket HU's or what? I mean it's going to suck to have to rip the harness all back apart and re-do the power and grounds, but if I have to I certainly will.
Anybody else have this issue? What did you do to resolve it?
Thanks.
check the fuse size in your fuse panel. It could be the wrong size. Also could be an exposed wire
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QBE (The Boosted One) wrote:check the fuse size in your fuse panel. It could be the wrong size. Also could be an exposed wire
Ok, any idea on what size the radio fuse SHOULD be? If there is an exposed wire, it's gotta be somewhere in the stock harness, because I wrapped every connection that I myself wired up with heat srink tape and THEN wrapped it with electrical tape.
I'm doubting it's a bare wire though because the deck acts like it's not getting enough power and going into safe mode then shutting itself off, it turns right back on though. Old cd player did the exact same thing.
I really hope there isnt a shorted wire somewhere.
Tonight I'm going to run a dedicated 10awg power wire off my alarm's 8awg feed directly from the battery, and find a nice beefy bolt for a new ground.
Even the HU's power wire is a joke, I mean come on-they really expect a 200 watt amp to run off 16awg wiring? Pathetic.
Thanks man.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edited Friday, June 29, 2007 6:36 AM
Stock or aftermarket headunits are never anywhere near 200 watts, unless its a higher end vehicle premium sound system and then its typically a seperate unit.
U would do exaclty what you are already doing, upgrade the 12v+ and then maks sure its grouded to bare sanded down metal. Nice and shiny... that should help.
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Mine does that goofy crap too, when i turn it all up it shuts off, its like the radios like choked out. And i have a good pioneer, last years best pioneer model if i remember.
I know what your problem is, I had the same problem but I finally fiqured it out. I'll bet you anything that if you turn your bass setting down all the way, the problem wont be as bad. My high end alpine was doing that and it was wired directly to the battery.
You probably have some higher end aftermarket components right? The problem is that your deck can't power your speakers and its going into protect mode and resetting itself. Go out and buy an amp for your components and I garuntee your problem will go away. This is the same reason the the stock stereo likes to lower the volume after you install aftermarket speakers. Even high end decks dont put out much more than 12watts rms to each speaker.
200watts peak..lol far from rms
SOLVED!
I ran a direct 10awg + wire right into the + feed on the cd player harness, then i found a hefty bolt right under the dash, goes through the dash frame then right into the body for my ground.
Works flawlessly now!!! I can turn it up as loud as I please when the car is off, idling, driving down the road, WHENEVER! I love that i finally got this fixed, sucks that I blew $400 on a new HU to find out that all I needed to do was upgrade 2 wires, but oh well.
I need to get a fuse in the + wire yet though, what size I should use? I'm thinking a 15 or a 20 would do fine, but I'd like to be sure.
Now I just need to figure out this freaking complicated as hell Kenwood deck, my lord this thing has more options and tweaks than any 4 cd player's I've owned COMBINED.
Good information!!! Thanks Weeble and z yaaaa !!!
I have this same prob with my alpine deck. I dont listen to it loud so i have had this prob for like 2+ yrs i knew what it was just never fixed it yet. Stock wire harness Postive wire sucks.
What if the positive wire was hooked up to a switch and then straight to the battery? or even to the fuse box for automatic turn on and off?
a 15 amp fuse should be able to handle that load. If it pops, try a 20 instead.
I think the stock radio fuse is a 10 amp... but you should never increase the size of the fuse on it's own - defeats the purpose of a fuse, because now the wire will melt and short out instead of the fuse
Always run a new fused power wire to the battery and ground... it's just a good idea
