Help! I turn on the lights and the radio goes out

[86ram]

I am having all kinds of electrical issues right now, I put a CD player in the truck and wired it in using the factory harness, I've put in several different stereos in several different cars and have never had any problems out of them so I don't think I did anything wrong here, but when I turn on the headlights on my truck the CD player turns off like you turned the key off. Also when I turn on the wiper switch nothing happens but when I use a pry bar or something metal and ground the motor to the body it runs for a minute or 2 and stops any ideas there? Really needing some help here Thank you!!

 

[86ram]

I should also mention that there was already an aftermarket radio in the truck but it was wired directly to the fuse block not spliced into the stereo harness like you would normally expect. Also the wipers worked for a while when I first got the truck and then one day stopped and then started working randomly one day and then quit again (you get the picture here completely random) The truck sat for 8 years untouched before I got it so I'm expecting some "glitches" but these are just weird to me. Thanks again for any help!!

 

[Ramgirl1989]

I I actually have the same exact problem with my Dodge as soon as I turn my headlights on my radio goes completely off. But when the headlights are off the radio will play sometimes but then sometimes it’ll just turn off when it’s on I don’t know if this is a ground issue or something like I’ve looked up or if it’s in the radio or what if I find out I will post what I found on here. If anybody else figures out what the problem is, please close answer or let me know.

 

[HarryS]

YOu realize this is a 12 year old post?

 

[RamDiver]

I I actually have the same exact problem with my Dodge as soon as I turn my headlights on my radio goes completely off. But when the headlights are off the radio will play sometimes but then sometimes it’ll just turn off when it’s on I don’t know if this is a ground issue or something like I’ve looked up or if it’s in the radio or what if I find out I will post what I found on here. If anybody else figures out what the problem is, please close answer or let me know.

Welcome to Ram Forum.


Your description sounds like you have a broken or poor common ground or grounds.
Try searching the 3rd-gen section for common ground points, I'll look ASAP, I have to step away now.

Is starting difficult, long or laboured?
How old is the battery?

You could start with inspecting, cleaning and snugging the battery connection points but I think you have more work on common grounds to sort out.

One of these from HarbourFreight is dirt cheap (<$5) and very effective.




I've attached a file that directs you to many of the larger common ground points. They often get caked with corrosion or break off and require refurbishing.

.

 

[David Vandercook]

Bluetooth cupholder speaker will fix all radio problems.