car radio
I'm guessing it's either a voltage-drop issue or a bad ground. How bright are your headlights? How does the voltmeter act (drop when the lights are turned on)? How did you make the power connections to the new radio (butt connector, solder, etc), and from which circuit?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 75
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 6 cyl.
one of my headlights is brighter than the other but they are bright and when the headlights are on it doesnt dim a whole lot but when the bass hits it dims and I used wire nuts and just connected the wires together because the previous owner already had an aftermarket radio in it. and I'm not sure about the circuit
There was another member with the same problem as you have.There is a Black and yellow wire at the radio harness that comes from the headlight switch.
The PO used that wire as a ground, the ground on the factory wiring is separate from the harness.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/rad...g-help-183172/
The PO used that wire as a ground, the ground on the factory wiring is separate from the harness.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/rad...g-help-183172/
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CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
NEVER. Use. Wire. Nuts.
Either use good quality (3M brand) butt connectors or solder the wires.
Wire nuts are fine in house wiring. There's no vibration to make them come undone.
They have no business in automotive wiring.
Time to get sure. If you have a high powered radio, run a separate power and ground lead for it. Don't use the existing vehicle wiring for that. It's fine to use existing wiring for ignition sense, but not for power.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 6 cyl.
But what is making the radio turn off? there's no black and yellow wire and all the other wires are together so I dont see what is making the radio turn off when my headlights are on
Look for the ground wire on the radio,and ground it to the body.After separating from the other wire.Then turn on your headlights.
What year is the Jeep.
The Radio is in auto protect.
What year is the Jeep.
The Radio is in auto protect.



