:confused:

I installed a used (but in much better shape than my original) dash on my 71SS this past weekend. While at it, a brand new from the box Sony GT20W CD deck went in to the radio opening (No, I did not butcher the lower dash, but I bought one on Ebay that was already cut open).

Anyways, here is where the stangeness begins. If I am idling, the stereo works great, but as soon as I accelerate from a red light, the radio goes completely off when I reach 2,500 rpms! Once I go below 2,500rpms, the radio comes back on. The previous radio on the car was an AM/FM 8-track that worked perfectly fine at all speeds prior to it being removed this weekend.

:confused:

It's not a loose wire as I double checked them all and it happens even if I am smooth pavement.

I wired the radio taking the keyed hot from the original harness and well as using the ground from the harness, exactly how the 8-track was wired. I obtained the continuous hot from the clock harness (I now have an oil pressure gauge where the clock used to be). Should I Have grounded the radio to the body instead?

Any ideas?

Signed, :confused:

You might need to check your charging system. Most modern radios have over voltage protection. If you charging system is overcharging (high voltage) the radio shuts off to protect itself. Normal voltage is 14-14.5 volts. You are probably getting 15-16+ at 2500rpms. Get a voltmeter and test the voltage at the battery at idle and various rpms. With a fuly charged battery, it should never be in the 15+ range.

Like undee72z stated I have seen this too. I have also seen some radio's have just the audio cut off while the display is still lit up when the voltage goes too high.

Jim

Thanks for the replies! The radio is still cutting out when I reach a certain speed/rpm.
But something else I noticed today is that the AMPS gauge, which normally hovers at zero, was way over to the right, almost near the +40. At the same time I've had a problem with a squealing belt. This afternoon while out for a drive, the belt was squealing, amp gauge was to the right, and radio would cut out. Amp gauge would head toward zero when I was stopped at red light.
I arrived at my destination and when I drove home, no squealing belt, amp gauge hovering around zero, and radio not kicking out. The car also felt a lot better, kinda like the motor was not being stressed out. It' difficult to explain. :confused:
Any ideas? Bad alternator or voltage regulator? What could be causing belt squeal, high amp reading, and radio to cut out sometimes and not other times?
Thanks guys!

First off, fix the squeeling belt. It may be bad, kinda glazed over, so you can just replace it for cheap. Then I would have the alt checked.

Prolly the voltage regulator sticking... dunno if they test those at Auto-Zone or not... but you can try. I just replaced the one on the wifey's Vette because it was all over the road... making up to 17V at some points... was a warranty deal on the alternator, so I'm good with it...

Installed a brand new Delco voltage regulator and it appears problem solved but I haven't driven around too much so I will keep checking if it happens again.

Hopefully one less things to fix.

Thanks for the advice and tips!