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Slight Car prob, anyone who knows their electrical/stereo stuff???

geno

geno

Lifer
I'm havign a slight prob with my car since I installed my 2nd amp for my stereo. Now, I'm having some starting issues. It's pretty cold out, so I'm sure that's not helping. But my starter seems to have a tough time cranking my engine ever since I got that amp installed. My battery isn't old, no more than 8 months. So I'd imagine the current those amps are drawing is a little much and is holding my starter back. Would adding a capacitor help this at all? If not, then what else can I do?
 
Fully charge your battery with a charger, verify all your battery and stereo wiring is correctly sized, cleanly connected, and that ya have no major voltage leaks when all systems are turned off. Leave vehicle overnight. If it starts easily the first time, but not after stereo use, look at getting a high output alternator for quicker charging and possibly an extra battery for more available wattage when parked. For some vehicles high-torque starters are available. Your local speed shop will have info.Plenty of sources for both on the net. Check out 4 x 4 truck suppliers. Whatever ya install do in a neat, professional manner.
 
Is the amp off while you're trying to start the car? Make a simple switch for it if not. If the amp is off, you're problem lies elsewhere. Battery is likely (even after 6 mos., yes, they go bad. Or even might just need some water!). The HO Alternator is a good suggestion if both amps are pretty serious, you can get those for pretty much any car now.
 
Maybe you have your amp wired into a power source that is not controlled by the ign switch, therefore drawing current when your key is off.

Either add a switch, as was suggested... Or better yet, wire it so that it doesn't draw any current. You may need to add a relay in the main cable, which would be controlled by the ign switch.
 
Yeah the others are right on, your amps shouldnt be drawing any current unless your key is in run. If they arent drawing then you should have your battery and alternator checked out. Autozone will do it for free I do believe. My personal thinking too is to not waste your money on caps ever, I think you're just hiding an underlying problem there, but thats just my thinking 😉
 
My first guess is that your Audio system is now pulling too much current for the alternator to keep up with, therefore your battery is not fully charging. You need to look in to getting a capacitor, a higher output alternator, and possibly a second battery dedicated to the audio system, though I don't know what setting up a dedicated battery entails.
 
Car off, radio off, therefore amps are off. It takes a few seconds once the radio is on for the remote wire to tell the amp to come on and for the amp to actually start drawing power. The remote wire goes hot when the radio is on, that's how the amps know when to come on and off. Turn the radio off with the car going, and the amps should also turn off (as indicated by the light on the amp)..

That second amp most likely isn't your problem. Sounds like something else by coincidence. To make sure, disconnect the second amp and see what happens.. Is the power light on (on the second amp) when the car is off? Coulda goofed the install and accidentally have the remote wire touching the battery power wire someplace. Hard to tell without seeing the car.
 
Well, it hasn't had trouble since that night when starting, so my battery seems ok. But it still seems weaker than what it was before I hooked the extra amp up. Is this something that happens when you have this kind of setup?
 
Genocide,

I just thought of this: Try driving around for about an hour with the stereo OFF (tough, I know!) and see if it starts properly in the morning. If your battery is 4-5 years old, it probably needs to be replaced soon anyway, so that might be the problem. Also, make sure the "water" level is up to the bottom of the holes in the top of the battery. If not, add distilled water 'till it is.

Good Luck,
Garfang

EDIT: Doh! Your battery is 8 months old and probably not the issue, but check the water level anyway, unless it is sealed (most non OEM batteries aren't sealed.)
 
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