Audio System Lights switch off when Headlights are on

Vidura · 03-04-2008, 07:37 PM

Hi All,

I recently bought a 1998 Falcon AU Futura. This has the Prestige audio system factory fitted and a third party CD stacker fitted which can be tuned into a Radio frequency for the sound.

I noticed that the lights on the audio system including the display switches itself off when I turn the headlights switch to either the parking or headlights position.

I noticed that dash lights and the clock dims slightly as well, but the radio lights seem to be totally off. I suppose this is not normal behaviour and would like to know what's making it happen and whether this is something that you reckon' could be fixed,

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,

Vidura

MNM96 · 03-04-2008, 08:06 PM

Normally they dim, as they would be too bright at night otherwise. Maybe the Rheostat in the head unit is shot?

Mike

JC · 03-04-2008, 08:06 PM

I'd say the bulbs in the head unit are blown. Probably a PITA to replace, but try ASL (site sponsor) - they can usually fix these things at reasonable cost.

T3man · 03-04-2008, 08:13 PM

Try upping your instrument light dimmer - it may be set to the minimum position.

Vidura · 03-04-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

Try upping your instrument light dimmer - it may be set to the minimum position.

Thanks for the reply. That's the first thing I tried. It has no effect on what's happening. Although the instrument light dimming works fine.

Vidura · 03-04-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

I'd say the bulbs in the head unit are blown. Probably a PITA to replace, but try ASL (site sponsor) - they can usually fix these things at reasonable cost.

Thanks for the reply JC. The bulbs work fine when the headlights or parking lights are off. Are there 2 sets of bulbs for different brightnesses?

JC · 03-04-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vidura

Thanks for the reply JC. The bulbs work fine when the headlights or parking lights are off. Are there 2 sets of bulbs for different brightnesses?

Not sure, but I doubt it. There may be a broken wire somewhere, though how you work that out is anyone's guess.

Vidura · 03-04-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNM96

Normally they dim, as they would be too bright at night otherwise. Maybe the Rheostat in the head unit is shot?

Mike

Thanks for the reply Mike. I could see the digits on the display with a bit of difficulty but the light seem to switch off. Can the rheostat be replaced in these type of units?