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1999 Chevy Cavalier Electircal

Tiny
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  • 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I have 99' chevy cavalier with a little over a 130000 miles.
i had a cd player installed at bestbuy and when I turn it up to a louder volume the lights on the cd players back lit buttons start to dim and flicker when there is a deep bass and the screen backlight dims noticibly when I turn my headlights on. I went back to bestbuy and they assured me it was installed corectly and suggested it was my alternator. Would my alternator be responsible for this?
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 10:22 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
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Hi there,

I would be looking at a bad radio earth, poor power connection or faulty radio, but before you go back, get an alternator charge rate check, it takes a few seconds for backup.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
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I know the radio isnt faulty because my friend had it in his car before bestbuy installed it. Am I looking for a bad connection in the wiring harness?
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
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Check how they wired it up. Did they use a cannon plug or just joined each wire as required. For best performance radio connections should be crimped or soldered and the earth is most important.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 11:02 PM
Tiny
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The connections r soldered and wrapped in electrical tape
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
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Is this condition happening with engine running only? Did you have a working stereo prior to this one being installed? Was it working all right? Was the stereo problem there from when you got it installed?

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 11:11 PM
Tiny
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I had a cassette player with no light no dimming and it happened when the alpine head unit was installed the audio always sounds fine no distortion just the button backlights dim when turned up with deep bass
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
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It happens when the car is on and when engine running
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
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I would remove radio and test voltage at radio input. Test with lights on and off, check with heater fan on high, you will be looking for an unstable voltage reading, is voltage going up and down while throttle at idle and try at higher setting there may be a problem in the voltage regulator check and clean all chassis earths, Are you running a separate amp?

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 11:49 PM
Tiny
JWALTH02
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Can I suggest something? Subwoofer and amplifier? How much wattage? Might be more than your altenator can handle.
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Monday, December 10th, 2007 AT 12:00 AM
Tiny
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Thanks jwalth, :idea:

I was just starting to think along the same line, all input is most welcome to help solve these curly questions.

Mark (mhpautos :D
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Monday, December 10th, 2007 AT 12:42 AM
Tiny
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No amp or subwoofers the mosfet level on the radio is 60x4 watts though. I will check and clean power and ground connections and take some voltage readings ill try turning the volume up to where the dimming starts and measure too. If I get some crazy readings and assume its my voltage regulator what would be the next step?
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Monday, December 10th, 2007 AT 5:39 AM
Tiny
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If you do find some voltage problems have the alt tested properly, and try a dedicated power direct to battery as a test to eliminate any problem in the loom.

Mark
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Monday, December 10th, 2007 AT 2:54 PM

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