Electrical Loses Charge Overnight.. amp is off

[chibahawk 10+ year member]

So I've had a succesfully installed system for like 2 years etc. and the amp is not on when the car is off etc.

Then I switched in a bigger sub - from a Pio 3002SPL to a Magnum 15"

I didn't touch the amp settings on my RF Punch and it gets about 850RMS@4ohms.

My rainbows get about 100RMS I think.

So everythings going good for a while, until I start noticing my electrical failing. If I had the AC running or used the windows it was real dim trouble. If the car was idling it would tend to die. So as a gift my sister brought my car in for repairs - I was a little put off because I like to be the one to do the work on the car.

They replaced an Electronic Control Module (ECM) and replaced my Optima Red Top with some trash battery. Assholes also disconnected my Big 3 wires which got me fuming. I was out of the country for 6 months and now upon returning I find my car won't start.

I can boost the battery and drive around, but if I let the car sit for a day the car won't start the next time.

Need to figure out why this is happening - but I really can't afford to upgrade a bunch of stuff. I need to single out the cause...

Halp please!

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[MTX520 10+ year member]

this suxs man...

 

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

Go to a shucks or napa and get your alternator tested.

 

[Johnny Law.Lulz 5,000+ posts]

Hu ??

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

redo all the shit yourself

 

[MTX520 10+ year member]

maybe interior lights?..or something is draining your batt(s)...

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

Go to a shucks or napa and get your alternator tested.

x2 on the above. next time you have it running, put a dmm(meter) on the batt terminals. you should have about 13.5 min at idle, if not then the alt is most likely bad.

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

Parasitic load.. I once had that problem with my glovebox light not going off.

 

[chibahawk 10+ year member]

redo all the shit yourself

This is what I want to do but can't afford. I'm going to wind up doing it but it will take time. At the moment I'd just like to have a car that runs when needed. Goddam mechanics... these guys my sis went to see a subwoofer and they think everythings ****ed. The only suggestion they make to her is he needs a 10gigawatt capacitor. I laugh and cry... they **** my shit up and suggest capacitors.

Wonder how much an alternator test would run me..

 

[jlaman19 10+ year member]

If you think the battery is good and able to hold a charge then you can check to see if you got a draw. I use a light bulb but should probably use a VoltMeter.

Just pull the negative cable and put a DMM or test light in between the negative post on the battery and the negative cable you just removed. Then start pulling fuses until you see a big loss in brightness of the bulb. depending on the bulb there will always be a slight charge from stereo memory and things like that but very minimal.

Perhaps someone could chime in on using a volt meter and the readings you should see that way.

Maybe not the kind of help your looking for but thats the way I have always done it and it works for me. Unless the item is directly connected to power and your unaware then you should find the loss in your system the way I mentioned.

 

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

This is what I want to do but can't afford. I'm going to wind up doing it but it will take time. At the moment I'd just like to have a car that runs when needed. Goddam mechanics... these guys my sis went to see a subwoofer and they think everythings ****ed. The only suggestion they make to her is he needs a 10gigawatt capacitor. I laugh and cry... they **** my shit up and suggest capacitors.

Wonder how much an alternator test would run me..

napa/shucks will do alty testing for free

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

This is what I want to do but can't afford. I'm going to wind up doing it but it will take time. At the moment I'd just like to have a car that runs when needed. Goddam mechanics... these guys my sis went to see a subwoofer and they think everythings ****ed. The only suggestion they make to her is he needs a 10gigawatt capacitor. I laugh and cry... they **** my shit up and suggest capacitors.

Wonder how much an alternator test would run me..

should be free. if you have a dmm, start the car and test the alt. output your self and youll know right then.

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

redo all the shit yourself

+1.

My guess is your battery was failing to hold a charge due to abuse. Red Tops are not recommended for audio. If you have only one battery, you need a deep cycle = yellow or blue top.

It lasted 2 years, but couldn't hold out any longer.

 

[jlaman19 10+ year member]

One more important thing is that you might think to remove things like alarm power and such thinking those are functioning properly prior to doing a draw test but those guys that messed with your car might have messed that up and the draw might be on one of those links!! So begin leaving it the way it is!

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

he said when it first happened, the car wanted to die at an idle. even if the battery is dead, the alt should keep the car running. if the alt is bad, when the batt finally wears out or starts to get weak, thats usually what happens.