Audio Systems: Frequent Radio Power Loss..., delco radios, generation firebirds

Question
I am not sure if this question is for a GM electrician who specialized in fourth generation Firebirds or with AC DELCO radios in Pontiacs but I will see if you can help me with this.  My car is a 1997 Pontiac Firebird with stock speakers and radio (AC Delco w/equalizers).  Fairly recently I have been encountering power loss episodes while driving.  The radio will be on and then cut out for either a few seconds or half an hour or MORE!  My power windows are affected by this as they too lose power when the radio cuts out.  I have tried two times to get this problem fixed with a Pontiac dealership but I have spent alot of money in vain and they have no clue in HELL as to what the problem is with my radio.  They assumed it was the starter and this remedied the problem temperarily until I was 1 mile away and the problem started back up again.  I tried replacing a 30 amp breaker in my fuse box that connected with the radio and windows and when everything seemed fine for a day, today was just WORSE.  My dad thinks it's a bad ground wire that connects with the radio somehow but what do you think if anything comes to mind?  I know my car is old but I know people with cars twice as old as mine and their radios and electronics are all fine and working.  I hope you can help me because I am so lost and my dealership don't know as well...

-Shawn

Answer

I was not aware that the radio and windows were on the same breaker in a firebird.. humm  :O

Hard to say...  
It would be best to isolate things a little 1st.

The audio problem may be a bad amplifier that is shorting/overheating, or perhaps a shorted speaker wire.
But a ground could also do it. I could also guess for hours..

As to isolation:
I would try wiring the radio (and any Amplifiers/eq's for it) up to its' own fused, dedicated 12v power source (even if you have to go directly to the battery) rather than sharing the power window circuit.

At least this way, one should not effect the other and you can see if the problem(s) persist.