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Old 04-03-2013, 12:50 PM   #51
dangerousatom
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Member#: 70710
Join Date: Sep 2004
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Quakertown/AREA1320 391whp
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2002 04STi Swaped RS
w/PPGS & 02 Wagon w/PPGs

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are your headlights only dimming or is it the full interior dash as well?

If its just the headlights check the grounds in the engine bay on either side of the front frame rails. This is were the fans fogs and headlights ground to
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Old 04-03-2013, 02:37 PM   #52
jmix
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Member#: 226613
Join Date: Oct 2009
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Suffolk, Va.
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04 JBP Wagon
MachV tuned 235hp 249tq

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau M View Post
thats what I usually do, I find that with lots of head units the signal starts to clip and get distorted after about 3/4" volume. So if it goes to 40 I would do all my tuning and amp gain setting with it at 32 or so, and then just know not to go over that if possible. I never crank a HU to the max volume.
I don't run mine at full volume either but I tried how Dave (Acquacow) mentioned with setting the gains with test tones and the HU didn't clip until 33 out of 35. Ulitmately I just need to start over with it. My hopes were that the gain being halfway was the reason my lights were dimming but dropping the gain and in turn rasing the HU volume didn't change that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dangerousatom View Post
are your headlights only dimming or is it the full interior dash as well?

If its just the headlights check the grounds in the engine bay on either side of the front frame rails. This is were the fans fogs and headlights ground to
The headlights, odometer light in the dash, and map lights will flicker (probably dome light as well but I haven't specifically checked it). All of the engine bay grounds have been cleaned and the paint sanded down (one on each frame rail, next to airbox, next to battery, and the one at pitch stop are all I know of).
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Old 04-03-2013, 03:15 PM   #53
dangerousatom
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Location: Quakertown/AREA1320 391whp
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w/PPGS & 02 Wagon w/PPGs

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Gotcha...

Then its definitely an Alt/power or battery issue since it sounds like you have grounded all the stereo items well.
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Old 04-03-2013, 03:19 PM   #54
lil'redwagon
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'02 WRX; '08 OBXT;
'08 G37 (S/C'd); '09 XF

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have you tried that resistor thingy in the main fuse box? it changes the regulator to urn the charging system at ~14.4V instead of ~13.1V. i've been running it like that for a few years now... it stopped my lights from dimming!
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Old 04-03-2013, 03:24 PM   #55
jmix
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MachV tuned 235hp 249tq

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Quote:
Originally Posted by dangerousatom View Post
Gotcha...
Then its definitely an Alt/power or battery issue since it sounds like you have grounded all the stereo items well.
Alternator (110amp forester) and battery (red top) are both new (for the second time) in the last couple of months.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lil'redwagon View Post
have you tried that resistor thingy in the main fuse box? it changes the regulator to urn the charging system at ~14.4V instead of ~13.1V. i've been running it like that for a few years now... it stopped my lights from dimming!
In the fuse box?? I've heard of the mod to the alternator wiring but not something with the fuse box. I feel like that's a band aid though.
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Old 04-03-2013, 03:34 PM   #56
lil'redwagon
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'02 WRX; '08 OBXT;
'08 G37 (S/C'd); '09 XF

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yeah, i linked to it earlier in the thread. you replace the alternator fuse in the main fuse box (under the hood by the shock tower) with a resistor or capacitor of a particular value. the resistor/cap blows out just like a fuse in case of too much current, so it's safe. you can call it a bandaid if you'd like, but it works long term!

also, how hard are you pushing your system? i've also noticed that even with small amps, if you max them out, they draw a lot of current. it's been a while since i've been into car stereo systems, but once you push amps past their rated operating conditions, their draw is all over the place.
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Old 04-03-2013, 03:44 PM   #57
jmix
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04 JBP Wagon
MachV tuned 235hp 249tq

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from what I've read in that thread it puts a diode in the wire to the alt.
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Old 04-03-2013, 03:51 PM   #58
lil'redwagon
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'02 WRX; '08 OBXT;
'08 G37 (S/C'd); '09 XF

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well, the wire to the alt runs through the main fuse box, so it's easiest to just replace the blade fuse with a diode.
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Old 04-15-2013, 06:46 AM   #59
jmix
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Suffolk, Va.
Vehicle:
04 JBP Wagon
MachV tuned 235hp 249tq

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Well I moved my grounds to a post under the center console (cleaned to bare metal) and I'm still experiencing dimming. I guess my next step will be upgrading to 4 gauge wire.
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