Im trying to install a cd player into my 1984 Maxima, but when I turn my headlights on I lose power to my cd player. Does anyone know what may be causing this?

 

Are you sure you are absolutely losing power, or could the voltage just be dropping below the threshold voltage at which the stereo will work or not? Put a meter on your switched hot and constant hot feeds, see what the voltage is (should be around 12.2-12.3), then turn your lights on and see what you have...

When I installed my Blaupunkpt in my '87, I just pushed the factory harness aside and used all new wiring. Since my amp is in the trunk, the speaker leads needed to come from there, so the speaker leads in the car didn't make sense to use. Plus I used 16GA speaker wire...

 

Check your ground wires. I've seen that occurs with a poor ground.

 

It definitely would occur with a lack of current supplied. Doesn't matter if it's positive or ground, people always seem to speculate a "bad ground". 1 strand will supply voltage, but will not supply the current. Short out a 12v supply and you will see the same thing happen because the load is completely bypassed by the short.

Anyway, your problem probably isn't a short, just a bad connection incapable of providing the amperage needed by the stereo.

 

be sure to ground to the dash, don't use the factory ground wire, don't use the the illumination wire.