Help with AAC Scanner light! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Kscott46 · 02-08-2011, 09:55 PM

So I installed my scanner light from AAC today. Was pretty easy, I used a dremel to cut out the corners. I was able to mold the light a little by heating the center of the light, fits like a dream! The only problem is, IT TURNS ON BY ITS SELF!!! I was driving home and everyone suddenly moves out of my way, well the lights were on! I say "Oh sh$#"! Does anyone have the same problem? Could it be were I grounded it? I used one of the existing holes used for the metal plate on the facia, I had to scrape some paint off to make contact. When it turns on by its self, it wont respond to the remote. Help Guys! Thanks in advance!

Darth Martel · 02-08-2011, 10:00 PM

Do you have a multi-meter? You should check continuity between the point you're assuming is a ground and something you know for sure is ground. If you're ground is floating that could be why that's acting weird. Or you may have a controller that's malfunctioning. If you don't have a multi-meter you should pick one up at Radio Shack. They have cheapies that will at least be able to test voltage and continuity. Start with that.

Kscott46 · 02-08-2011, 10:03 PM

When using the meter how can I tell if the ground is floating? If the voltage is low or high? Do I want it high on the ground wire? Thanks for the help!

Darth Martel · 02-09-2011, 06:21 AM

You want to do a continuity check between the ground point you used and a known ground point. Usually there's a setting on a multi-meter for continuity testing. If there isn't and you can only check resistance and voltage then try the resistance setting. Between a known ground and the ground you used there should be a dead short or approximately 0.00 ohms. You'll probably get something like 0.02 or around that. If your meter just measures voltage then if you measure across your 12V source and the point you picked as ground then you should see approximately 12V. If it's drastically lower or if it changes frequently ramping up and down then you have a problem. It should be a steady voltage.

The Stig · 02-09-2011, 08:49 AM

This was happening to to me as well. Turned out the water proof seal/casing around the scanner got torn. Water had gotten inside of it and thats what was shorting out the circuit.

02-08-2011, 09:55 PM	#1
Kscott46 Drives: 2010 Black SS2, RS, MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brownsville, Texas Posts: 68	Help with AAC Scanner light! So I installed my scanner light from AAC today. Was pretty easy, I used a dremel to cut out the corners. I was able to mold the light a little by heating the center of the light, fits like a dream! The only problem is, IT TURNS ON BY ITS SELF!!! I was driving home and everyone suddenly moves out of my way, well the lights were on! I say "Oh sh$#"! Does anyone have the same problem? Could it be were I grounded it? I used one of the existing holes used for the metal plate on the facia, I had to scrape some paint off to make contact. When it turns on by its self, it wont respond to the remote. Help Guys! Thanks in advance! __________________ Black and Silver Striped SS2/RS M6 Current Mods: PFADT Springs ,Hurst Short Shifter, Roto Fab Intake, SLP LM II Axel Back Ex, NLP Dove Tail Spoiler, AAC Interior LED's (Blue), Defender Works Black Bow Ties. Future Mods: PFADT Sways, SLP cat back, SLP X-pipe, SLP Headers, and Tune.

02-08-2011, 10:03 PM	#3
Kscott46 Drives: 2010 Black SS2, RS, MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brownsville, Texas Posts: 68	When using the meter how can I tell if the ground is floating? If the voltage is low or high? Do I want it high on the ground wire? Thanks for the help! __________________ Black and Silver Striped SS2/RS M6 Current Mods: PFADT Springs ,Hurst Short Shifter, Roto Fab Intake, SLP LM II Axel Back Ex, NLP Dove Tail Spoiler, AAC Interior LED's (Blue), Defender Works Black Bow Ties. Future Mods: PFADT Sways, SLP cat back, SLP X-pipe, SLP Headers, and Tune.

02-09-2011, 08:49 AM	#5
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	This was happening to to me as well. Turned out the water proof seal/casing around the scanner got torn. Water had gotten inside of it and thats what was shorting out the circuit. __________________

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02-08-2011, 10:00 PM	#2
Darth Martel Darth Martel Drives: Black 1SS with 20% tinted windows Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bizzaroland Posts: 1,496	Do you have a multi-meter? You should check continuity between the point you're assuming is a ground and something you know for sure is ground. If you're ground is floating that could be why that's acting weird. Or you may have a controller that's malfunctioning. If you don't have a multi-meter you should pick one up at Radio Shack. They have cheapies that will at least be able to test voltage and continuity. Start with that.

02-09-2011, 06:21 AM	#4
Darth Martel Darth Martel Drives: Black 1SS with 20% tinted windows Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bizzaroland Posts: 1,496	You want to do a continuity check between the ground point you used and a known ground point. Usually there's a setting on a multi-meter for continuity testing. If there isn't and you can only check resistance and voltage then try the resistance setting. Between a known ground and the ground you used there should be a dead short or approximately 0.00 ohms. You'll probably get something like 0.02 or around that. If your meter just measures voltage then if you measure across your 12V source and the point you picked as ground then you should see approximately 12V. If it's drastically lower or if it changes frequently ramping up and down then you have a problem. It should be a steady voltage.