Quick Question from a novice

[larosenthal]

Hi,

So I know nothing about cars and am in the process of surprising my son with his first car, a 2008 Toyota Highlander. I had just finished getting minor things done at the dealership and then went to a Car Stereo place who installed a Kenwood DDX6903S stereo and an Alpine subwoofer.

Sounded great all was cool. And then smoke sent me back to dealership. Mechanic is saying the alternator, which was already passed its prime, got fried by the additional demands of the stereo and that he was surprised that the stereo install didn't include a Lighting Cap.

Do you think the stereo installer made a mistake not including a Lightning Cap? Is that a rather standard part of the installation?

I'm worried that without one the new alternator may suffer the same fate.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much!

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[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

hey u 50 miles from me.. what alpine amp? which sub? ususally u fine with out 1 i don't

have one and 1st we would recommend u do whats called the big 3 upgrade (which i also don't have) but that's using bigger wire from alt to battery and grounds gets more power to battery.. and next would be a 2nd battery in the back with amp.. wish u woulda asked us about the system 1st.. maybe the alt was just bad to begin with..

 

[larosenthal]

Thanks, Grandpa. the subwoofer is an PWA-S10V. I'm told it really doesn't draw much so tend to agree that the alternator was just ready to go anyway - it may have been the original in the car now 9 years old.... Going to skip the capacitor and hope that a new alternator does the trick!

I did rush this and should have consulted this board and did more research but I hope my son will be pleased...

thanks for the response,

LAR