Ignition/stereo power on start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 287
Likes: 8
Ignition/stereo power on start
When starting the car, cranking the starter, is it normal operation for the stereo to lose power and come back after the start?.. Because that's what's been happening. The stereo is not stock, alpine deck, ground/ignition/power. Power is wired to the cigarette lighter hot wire.
I've also seen a video of another later model c3s when starting their power antenna will raise and lower then back up on startup..
Is this an electronic safety feature?..
I've also seen a video of another later model c3s when starting their power antenna will raise and lower then back up on startup..
Is this an electronic safety feature?..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
IIRC when it goes to the crank position, all of the other circuit that are controlled by the ignition switch (wipers, etc) are turned off while those that don't get affected by the ignition switch (headlights) of course stay on.
When the starter is cranking and drawing a lot of power, if your battery is weak(ish) and the power available to the stereo drops below whatever its threshold requirements are (might be 10v) it will turn it's self off until the power gets up past what it needs again.
HIH
M
When the starter is cranking and drawing a lot of power, if your battery is weak(ish) and the power available to the stereo drops below whatever its threshold requirements are (might be 10v) it will turn it's self off until the power gets up past what it needs again.
HIH
M
Last edited by Mooser; Mar 26, 2016 at 08:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
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Mooser is correct on the power drop...
But the ignition switch has two separate circuits-
One that is ON during cranking and one that is off during starting.
I know the wiper and radio are OFF during start-
And you'll note on newer cars - a lot of high current accessories are actually delayed for a few seconds after starting the car- example the AC.
Here's the ignition switched mapped out- notice the pink wire is HOT during starting as it powers the gauges-
starter wires by Richard Hayes, on Flickr
But the ignition switch has two separate circuits-
One that is ON during cranking and one that is off during starting.
I know the wiper and radio are OFF during start-
And you'll note on newer cars - a lot of high current accessories are actually delayed for a few seconds after starting the car- example the AC.
Here's the ignition switched mapped out- notice the pink wire is HOT during starting as it powers the gauges-
starter wires by Richard Hayes, on Flickr
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Start only keeps the ignition and start circuits active
Run keeps ignition and everything else (wiper etc) on
Since your on the lighter circuit, which is on always I believe, it's likely the power drop the radio is sensing and shutting itself down
M
