Author Topic: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?  (Read 1566 times)

Offline Gloves88

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Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« on: 16 September 2008, 13:31 »
Is this normal....when I turn on my headunit the dash lights come on (no other lights, just the dash) they go off again when I turn the headunit off

I can hear a click as they come on, I'm assuming this is a relay. I'm pretty sure it did used to do this.

If it isnt normal, what could be causing this?

I fitted an electric aerial about a week ago that is ment to go up when my headunit goes on...it however only works some of the time. Could the headunit somehow be turning on my dash lights instead?

Second thing...I've had/I have a water leak thats been dripping onto the fuse box, it caused my indicators to mess up. I took a hairdryer to it and the indicators work fine now. Could it however have caused other things to mess up?

Also where are the earths for the fuse box? Could it be an earth problem...my electrical knowledge is limited.

Any thoughts welcome.....


Thanks

Offline Jay

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #1 on: 16 September 2008, 13:36 »
That's not normal. Maybe you screwed something up when wiring in the leccy aerial?
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Breaker

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #2 on: 16 September 2008, 14:05 »
The dashboard switch lights, gauge lights and cigarrette lights are all on the same circuit.
This is the top wire on the back of the headlight switch (grey/blue)
this should not be near the radio.

someone may have rewired it if the lights stopped working?

Offline Gloves88

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #3 on: 16 September 2008, 14:11 »
I've just removed the electric aerial and the same thing happens.

The lights, dipped, main, everything still work even when the headunit is on or off....

I'm confused.... :undecided:

Breaker

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #4 on: 16 September 2008, 14:18 »
Electric Aerial?

Headlights are a diffrent circuit to interior lights.

Offline Gloves88

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #5 on: 16 September 2008, 18:46 »
Headlights are a diffrent circuit to interior lights.

Ah ok, I miss read your initial post

Offline AdamMk2

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #6 on: 16 September 2008, 19:28 »
Also one of the wires controls illumination on your headunit (Dependign on the spec of your headunit) when turning the lights on it switches the illumination on my headunit (Buttons) when off.

However yours is doing something rather strange.

Something is swiching the lighting, a permenant live down the line somewhere.

Suspect dodgy wiring, try rear right of HU cage area, by the air tube thingys.


Offline daniel-1986

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #7 on: 16 September 2008, 22:11 »
my mate had this on his old mk2 golf but he liked it

Offline AdamMk2

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #8 on: 17 September 2008, 00:05 »
Have read your post a bit more deeply now mate.

Yes to the water potentially being a problem, any water finding its way into the fuseboard is bad  :sick:

You "should" have a switch live from your headunit to power up the aerial, now I cant remember what colour particularly this is becaus it depends what HU you have (If you dont have the manual look it up on the HU Manufacturers website I would)

The als make sure your connecting this to the right power up cable form your aerial.


The lights is as said before mate, but really Id check the Fusebox out, remove, clean and refit any relays, and any signs of corrosion try to carefully remove, Id get on to the water leak asap.

Also was the aerial you removed a power up one?? was there a groud/earth wire fixed within the wing?? Not saying there should be but check that too, would imagine the lights is more wiring/water   :wink:


Offline Gloves88

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Re: Radio on = dash lights on...normal?
« Reply #9 on: 17 September 2008, 10:16 »
You "should" have a switch live from your headunit to power up the aerial, now I cant remember what colour particularly this is becaus it depends what HU you have (If you dont have the manual look it up on the HU Manufacturers website I would)

The als make sure your connecting this to the right power up cable form your aerial.

Cheers for your reply.

The power cable from the headunit is blue...checked that nd its all wired up correctly. Aerial before was a standard pull up one.
I'm pretty sure its not the aerial that messing things up now.

I think your right with that water leak being the problem. Resealed my windscreen as soon as I found the water leak...pretty sure thats where its coming from - was my third attempt at leak proofing the car!

I'm going to get a couple of new relays and try swapping them about as I can hear a relay click everytime I turn the headunit on. If this doesnt solve it, it must be a wiring problem....oh what joy if it is.