fun electrical problem

[86 K-10]

i know this will probably be very specific to my truck, but im hoping someone has run into something similar before i go chasing wires. Ever since i've had my truck, i've noticed that the lights will randomly dim at night but i never thought much of it until i installed a stereo in the truck. the stereo cuts off and on when hitting bumps/turning/slowing down. of course i've checked all connections, good ground/power straight from the battery. tonight i noticed that the radio cuts out simutaneously when the headlights dim. the radio will also turn off sometimes when the power window switch is pressed upwards when the window is already completely rolled up. any thoughts?

[77chevyinline6]

its the aliens fire in the sky.......... lol jk check all of your connections of all of your switches and your fuses

[J Knight]

If all your radio connections are ok you might have a faulty radio.

[86 K-10]

i shook the hell out of the radio with it out of the dash trying to get it to turn off, but it only does it while driving down the road

[rwhit57]

Gremlins! I would start with battery terminals, both ends pos and neg. Could be a bad ground. Also check the fuse block where the harness unbolts on the firewall and make sure that is clean and connected properly. It could also be a bad alternator, shorting out. Just a few ideas.

[86 K-10]

I'm gonna get a new ground wire for the battery tomorrow as well as check the fuse block connection...I forgot to mention i replaced both the battery and alternator today, no dice there
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[cory d]

start it and night with the ligth on and then move the connections on the alternator. i had the same problem

[john_p]

one connection people forget is the engine to body ground.. if that is loose, motor still runs, everything else with die or dim out

[1LowToy]

Check all your grounds engine to body. Sounds like you may have a week battary.

[motornut]

check the charging system
make sure the radio is grounded to the dash
may want to check fuses switch them around(cracked/loose)

[86 K-10]

update: fixed! .... after completing the headlight mod, repairing several frayed connections in the wiring harness, new battery, alternator, and battery leads my problem still existed, so i added a ground strap from the alternator bracket to the frame and BAM. fixed. thanks guys