TomQ

hey guys, something rubs me on electricity.
i have 200 amp alternator (charges awesome when crusing). i have my fans on almost all the time (temps 185/195). I have to 12" subs with arc 1500D-R sub. I have 1 farad capacitor as well.
when i cruise on a freeway everything stays normal.
when i drive around the town and listen to the stereo or not listen to the stereo, my battery gauge goes to the yellow mark. I tried to swap battery.
Where would i look for electricity leaks?

TomQ

when it's in park battery is charged around 14V
when it's in R(car isn't moving;stereo is playing not loud) the battery is charged around 13
and when it's in D (car isn't moving;stereo is playing not loud) it's around 12.5-12.6

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

2002_TAWS6

My friend had the same problem on his cobra. He replaced the alternator, and the battery with an Interstate (top notch battery) and still he got the same problem.

When installing a new stereo head unit..etc... most people make a mistake with some wiring and it is mostly the wires by the control unit (this is the thing that sends a signal to the alternator telling it how much charging is needed). For some reason that wire or connector or something tends to get disconnected slightly (im not so sure what happens to it exactly). If that wire signal is loose or messed up in any way the alternator wont charge up like necessary. Therefore, if the alternator is tested and results show that it is not charging up the battery as supposed to it does NOT just mean that the alternator is the problem. The problem could be from simple loose or abused wires.

I suggest you go to a car shop that does electric stuff to your car. Let them check the wires from the control unit it would be the most common problem assuming your car is still new and the battery linkage, alternator, the battery itself should all work well.

Since you explained that it goes from 14 to 13 that quick then it probably means that your battery does not have leaks. It is most commonly a bad wire signal. For safety reasons, I would recommend you check for leaks because that could make sparks and blow something up! You seriously dont want that.

Most important, I just dont want you to spend $250 on alternator another $200 on battery and another $100 (or less) on wires and labor when you all you need is some wires that go run more than 100 bucks (including labor) to fix the problem.

Start looking at the wires first to save some money. Give me response as soon as someone takes a look at it. I might be able to aid you without letting you waste a lot of unnecessary money.

Good luck! Tell me what you make out. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

TomQ

Thanks bro,
now i'm kind of suspecious as for the stuff you are telling me, the guy who installed my mp3 player seemed to be knowledgeable,but it was a friend of a friend...
I'll try check it out today and will let you know !

Thanks again ! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

2002_TAWS6

hey man how did everything go?

Hope you got it fixed. If, you need any help let me know. Also did you find out what was the exact problem?

TomQ

i picked my car today, they checked the connections but did not find anything wrong.
I just tried to disconnect my subs and amplifier out of my system so basically i'm using stock speakers only --> helped Not at all !
even if i'm not listening to the stereo the battery gauge still goes down and if my stereo is on it drops really low to yellow mark <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bullshit]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bs.gif" />
In the morning when the caris cold evrything seems to be fine and well charged.
Question is could my fans drain that much power even if they are on almost all the time (I have 160 t-stat and fan settings are 185->goes on-195-> goes off)?
I have ASP underdrive pulley, but seems none have any problems with it.
What else do I check ? What conenctions can be shorted and how they might show itself?
Anything,anyone <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> ?

2002_TAWS6

hmmm this is getting confusing. Check these things now:

1) check the pulley that is by the alternator. If that is rotating slower than what it is supposed to then that could cause the alternator to charge incorrectly. Also check the belt while your at it.

2) I'd also check the cluster (under the dash board). This sends signals to the alternator so check that. Sorry I do know that I mentioned that earlier but when my friend took his cobra for a check up the dealership didnt even know that the cluster had a problem (since in most cases it is doesnt - unless you change amplifiers and stuff.) I'd take it to a place that deals ONLY with wires and electronics. They would tell you what you need to do easily. If you have a shop called Spit fire or maybe Split fire in your town go to it that place would be able to fix it guaranteed (i doubt that you do have it by your town though). Most dealerships wont be able to know if the cluster has a problem so I'd go to a shop that deals with electric components - take my word for it.

Your battery probably has low acid by now. If it has low acid you probably need a new battery. If I were you I would try not to use the car at all. If you can, try to borrow someones battery so the car could take you to a shop. Your battery could be still repairable if your lucky. I'd try to get it repaired/recharged on the spot before its too late.

One important thing. Try to remember "WHEN" the charging started to be a problem. Was it after installing the amp? pulleys? thermostat? One thing for sure "speakers are not the problem". BUT, if your amp is too powerfull that MIGHT be a BIG problem. I dont know if this would help but ive seen a lot of people with 2 batteries just because of having a very powerful amp. It doesnt really matter if the stereo is playing with a loud volume as much, the amp could waste alot of electricity just by having it on.

I do understand that you mentioned you dont really have a problem when its cold in the morning so it could be that the fan is also wasting a lot of electriciy, or maybe you just dont listen to music early in the morning?

I can't really help you out more than this buddy. Sorry to say this but now the only people who would be able to help you out are the people who take a good look at it.

Remember everything could happen so dont take my word for everything. Im just helping you out from what I hear.

wish you the best of luck!!!

TomQ

the car is my daily driver,i recently changed my original battery to my friends battery (he never had any problems with his battery)
i also will be taking my car to some other auto-shop that solves only atomotive electrical problems
I will let you know what it was, crossing myfingers with hope to find the problem
Thanbks a lot for your help/advises