Headunit cuts out with I turn the headlights on?

[Digitalwave]

Ever since I installed my Eclipse headunit with no built in power, the deck turns off when I turn on my headlights for a second, but turns right back on. It happens whenever I flick my high beams as well. And SOMETIMES, but rarely, it goes of when I hit the brakes and the brake lights turn on. This never happened with my old Pioneer headunit, and they are wired up to the same power lines, the only difference I can think of is that my Eclipse dims at night, so I wired this deck to the dimmer wire whereas the Pioneer wasn't hooked to it.

Any ideas what the problem might be? I was thinking about finding another 12v source for it and seeing if its that, but it seems like it might be more of an issue with the dimmer?

[87 325iS]

Mine kinda has the same problem, sometimes it cuts out when I hit the brake to put it in gear (yes its auto), but then comes right back on. :?

[KenC]

Does the whole deck turn off, or just the display? I'd find a larger 12V power lead.

[Digitalwave]

It all cuts off, the music turns off for a second...

[Digitalwave]

bump

[bimmerphile]

well man, you're losing power to the deck (duh). I'd run wire directly to the deck as to be higher up on the power distribution chain.

[Digitalwave]

Alright, I am getting sick of this so I tried to fix it today. I changed the ground, the constant power, and there was no change in the problem. I then wired the switched power to a constant line, and it still happened! I figured the problem was in the power coming in, but I changed both of them and no dice? Any ideas?

[Jordan]

disconnect the dimmer lead.

[Digitalwave]

Did that, I figured that would fix it... no go. Same effect with the dimmer off.

[Mike 91 318ic]

Use a test light on the constant 12v power wire and see if the light goes out when you turn on the headlights. If it does your problem is with that wire somewhere. You'll have to find a new power source. If it doesn't try doing the same with the acc. power wire. If the test light goes out on the acc. power then you have to acc. wires.

[NickP]

I would find a new ground and run the constant power off of the power distribution block off of the passenger side firewall.

[Digitalwave]

I would find a new ground and run the constant power off of the power distribution block off of the passenger side firewall.

Like I said, I changed the ground and the constants with other ones and the problem remained. I know its not the ground because I ran it to the ground in the trunk, which is good. Its one of the power leads.

[e30Matt]

Try pulling from the cig lighter 12V and see if that does it.

[AndrewBird]

I would just run a new fatty wire from under the hood and hook that up to the deck. I would also run a ground stright into the transmission tunnel behind the headunit with a self tapping screw. I hate splicing into existing wires when it comes to things like this.

[Pieter E30]

Sounds to me like its the deck!!!!!!