I recently bought my 92 dakota without a radio. I installed a Dual XDMR7700 and it works perfect when the truck is in the ON postion or running. The only problem is when i pull the **** to turn on my headlights/dash lights the power to my radio is completly shut off. What could be the problem?

 

A bad ground or power, maybe you have it wired to the dimmer wire. You need to rewire it. In the FAQ in this section we have the wiring diagrams as well as factory service manual.

 

Without a doubt. Rewire the headunit. Sounds like the ground may have been wired thru one of the illumination leads for the factory radio...

 

Ok thank you, i'm pretty shure i have the radio diagram somewhere in the truck. I'll backtrack tomorrow and see if i mixxed anything up.

 

I've checked and rechecked. Orange wire is dimmer/dash lamps, and when i disconnect it and run it off the main power wire the radio still makes no changes. Also this might help but seems i dont have any high beams aswell. The light is on, on the dash but its normal driving lights. like its missing a step. Pushed in everything is off (Radio works), pulled out 1, day lamps and dash lights are on (Radio doesn't work), pulled out all the way normal headlights are on but the highbeams light is on (Radio doesn't work). Is there something wrong with the switch or wiring to the switch?

 

My guess is still on the wiring. How about make a new power and grond wires. And check your wiring for the high beams.

 

Dont turn on the headlights, there over rated anyways lol.

 

I would suggest:
Remove the radio.
Access the electrical plug for the radio.
Insure that, with truck OFF, key OUT, you have power and ground where needed.
Start the truck (or, at least put the key in RUN), and make sure you still have power and ground where needed.
Than, turn on the headlights and see what changed.
Continue from there.

BK/YL wire tells the radio that the lights need to come on. You should have voltage when the headlight switch is in (parking lights) or (headlights) position.

OR wire tell the radio to dim/brighten the lights. Voltage should vary in (parking lights) or (headlights) position, to correspond to your dashlight brightness.

RD/WT wire should have voltage ONLY with ignition switch in ACC/RUN position.

PK wire should have voltage at ALL times.

Ground is provided via a ground strap, or separate screw-on wire.

 

You don't need to hook up any orange wires from the radio. (With or without stripes.)

I never understand why people cut off the factory plugs to save $8.

 

You need to run the ground wire of the cd player to a body ground. i had the same problem except when i turned my headlights on it fried my cd player. I ran the ground to a spot under the hood and it fixed it.