Weird electrical issue - Brakes hit = power loss Options

[k-weaver]

Alright guys so here is the story...

I was on my way to work this morning and everything seemed fine. I hit my brakes to slow down for a corner and right as I did so my stereo turned off, my clock reset, and the car stuttered for like a half a second. After a brief "what the hell was that?" I turned off my radio (thinking this was a possible cause) and kept driving. The rest of the entire drive I noticed my dash lights (more so my clock) would dim ever time I hit the brakes. Its as if the voltage is dropping drastically for a split second but then going back to normal.

I've yet to do any troubleshooting as I'm currently at work. Just wanted to see if anyone had any idea's that I could try out once I get home.

[k-weaver]

I think I may have found the issue....

A long time ago I installed those reverse glow gauges (purchased on ebay). To get power I spliced into one of the wires that plug into the gauge cluster. I don't recall the color but if i'm not mistaken its the only wire that provides power when the headlights are turned on and also the brights (one of wires cuts power when the brights are on). The gauges worked fine for a really long time then one day they were intermittent where they would work one second and not work the next. Finally one day they stopped working altogether.

Took me a while to realize it but the issue with my dimming situation / radio turning off / car almost dying only started once my gauges started working again. Thinking the gauges were the cause (due to how I powered them and the fact that work 25% of the time) I purchased another set and replaced only the little black box that everything plugs into (if you ever installed them you know what I'm talking about). Turns out this may have been the cause. My gauges are once again working. My radio no longer turns off when I hit the brakes and the car doesn't stutter. I wonder if something was shorting out in that box?

I still have an issue with the dimming but from other posts it sounds like this is normal? When I replaced the box for the gauges I first completely unplugged it and tested the car, lights still dimmed when brakes pressed. So i'm confident the gauges aren't the cause of the dim.

I drove last night to the store and this morning to work with everything on (headlights and radio) and didn't have any issues. I'm not 100% sure that the issue is fixed but at least its better.