Help! Car Dead

[ChaserEclipse]

Yesterday I got all my speakers replaced and got an amp and sub put into my 95 eclipse gs. This morning I got into the car and turned on some music, not even very loud, and then it cut off. I thought it was my aux cord so i looked down and then all of a sudden my car jumped forward and my check engine light came on. I drove it home and then turned it off. I tried to start my car again, and nothing. It was completley dead. I don't know much about cars so does anyone have any ideas on what this could be? It has been having some trouble starting for a few months. I was wondering if my alternator was bad and that the battery isnt being recharged or drawing enough power. If anyone could help I would be very greatful!

 

[filabob1]

How was the stereo system install, did you have an inline fuse? Was it properly grounded? How many watts is the amp? Do you have a Cap installed? I'm just assuming this is stereo related since it ran fine before the install? Double check your battery terminals. Make sure your stereo is wired correctly, i.e. power and acc wires are switched around causing your stereo to always be on. If all else fails maybe you just need a new battery. Then take it to autozone or whatever your favorite auto store is and check the alternator.

 

[ChaserEclipse]

I really don't know anything about this stuff haha. I know the amp is 1000w. But the amp wouldnt even work becuase it was in protect mode. I wonder if it wasnt getting enough juice. But otherwise I had an audio shop install all of this. So I assume they did it right. But I have replaced my battery a few months ago because it was dying on me.

 

[filabob1]

New battery a couple of months ago, and its dead already? This could be an alternator related problem. Can you even jump the car?

 

[ChaserEclipse]

Im not sure. I need to get someone over to jump it. If jumping it wont work, then what does that mean?

 

[filabob1]

Its hard to tell from this point, just jumping the gun I would say it sounds like the alternator. Sounds like your not charging the battery. But if for some reason the alt is good, and it doesn't start, double check all fuses. If they are all good, I would check the ECM for any damage there.

 

[ChaserEclipse]

Thank you for your help! But do you know any good alternators that would be sufficient for the power being needed for my car? Im kind of lost here.

 

[filabob1]

I would stick with oem. I also believe you can go with a higher amp Saturn alt but I'm not quite sure on that. Might want to do a search on that one. Maybe someone will chime in about the alt.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cus...tant-improvements-saturn-alternator-swap.html

Try reading through this.

 

[fncrazy]

Sound like an alt. Problem to start that amp will draw Alot more and sounds me like it was on it's way out to start. If you can get it started take to to autozone or advance and they can test it. I just found mine was bad when I turn on my lights and wiper it only had 12.9 when it should be over 13volts. I'd start there. Hope that helps.

 

[DJ Raydiate]

the oem alt should be fine for what you are running. I have a 1000w and a 400w amp in my GS. Even with it hitting hard, my lights do not dim at all as you may have seen some cars driving down the road. but defiantly get the alt checked. If you get it started, don't run the system to/from the parts store to try to save what little bit of power you may have.

 

[delta448]

Pull the inline fuse to your amplifier and try to jump start the car.

Take the battery to the local parts store and have them load test it. If the battery fails the test, there's your problem. If the battery passes, have them test the alternator. If it also passes, your problem is most likely a short to chassis ground in the power cable for your new amplifier.

 

[ChaserEclipse]

Weird thing is i just went out to try to start it and it started right up. WTF. Well hopefully it will get me to autozone tomorrow to get it checked out. They do all that plus battery charging, free right? And thanks for all the help!

how many amps would be good for a new alternator btw? and a good battery?