Battery always dying?
03-09-2004, 01:44 PM
#11
well the first thing that i would say is it is not because of the stereo. the dealer will see something that is after market and Imeadiatley blame that. There perspective is " it was not there when the car was bought, there is your problem." They dont know jack about this kind of thing. We had a situation were a customers battery was always dying no matter what was done, so we unhooked everything that was not in the car when it was brought to us and the problem was still there. The car was in for some tranny service at an unamed transmission shop and when the shop re-installed the tranny they did not hook up the field wire for the alternator and it was hammering 23 volts into the battery. This customer had gone everywhere to ask what the problem was and they all told her that it was the stereo. My point is...... mechanics and dealers dont know JACK about car audio and that is the first thing that they blame. Tinted is right check that all of the lights amd amps are turning off after you shut the car down and check your remote wire for power after the car is off. hey sorry for the rant but I hate it when people say that it is the stereo and have NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!
03-09-2004, 02:24 PM
#12
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,078
Usually....it is your ALTERNATOR...
Obviously, it could be a bunch of things, but this is from my experience. Obviously, check everything, but it is easy to check the alternator, with a multimeter, and work from there.
Take the car to an alternator/auto electric shop, and get it tested....or get someone with a multimeter to do it for you...I think a multimeter is like 25 bucks at crappy tire.
The stereo is probably only ADDING to the problem and while it is 'technically' probably the reason, it is just highlighting the weakness of your electrical system, because if it is the alternator's weakness, then the stereo is pulling more power than it can put out, which in turn drains the battery while the car is running, which = dead battery.
Obviously, it could be a bunch of things, but this is from my experience. Obviously, check everything, but it is easy to check the alternator, with a multimeter, and work from there.
Take the car to an alternator/auto electric shop, and get it tested....or get someone with a multimeter to do it for you...I think a multimeter is like 25 bucks at crappy tire.
The stereo is probably only ADDING to the problem and while it is 'technically' probably the reason, it is just highlighting the weakness of your electrical system, because if it is the alternator's weakness, then the stereo is pulling more power than it can put out, which in turn drains the battery while the car is running, which = dead battery.
03-09-2004, 07:07 PM
#13
also if you can get a hold of a clamp meter shut the car off and then put a clamp meter on the positive lead of the battery and see if there is any amperage. if there is then start looking for a short in the car
03-09-2004, 07:13 PM
#14
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,260
Well, dont go that far...your car WILL draw some current without being on, but very minimal. It COULD be the stereo, if the batteries are just toast all of a sudden one day, and usually bulged. Ive toasted a battery in my car, with my 1000d, and the car running. Luckily, the alternator survived.
03-09-2004, 09:29 PM
#15
50 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 166
Update:
I took the car to a shop and they tested the parasidic load. It's .038 they said that's normal.
I then tested the battery with my new multimeter
and it reads 11.97V, is that close enough to 12V?
Then I tested the battery with the car running and it gave me 14.15V NOT 14.40V is that normal?
I also turned on the lights, rear defroster, seat heaters, and deck and each time the battery Voltage dropped all the way down to 13.87V.
What does all this mean? Is my ALT shot or my Battery? If so did my stereo kill it? And can Honda void my ALT or Battery warranty?
Thanks
I took the car to a shop and they tested the parasidic load. It's .038 they said that's normal.
I then tested the battery with my new multimeter
and it reads 11.97V, is that close enough to 12V?
Then I tested the battery with the car running and it gave me 14.15V NOT 14.40V is that normal?
I also turned on the lights, rear defroster, seat heaters, and deck and each time the battery Voltage dropped all the way down to 13.87V.
What does all this mean? Is my ALT shot or my Battery? If so did my stereo kill it? And can Honda void my ALT or Battery warranty?
Thanks
03-09-2004, 10:18 PM
#17
50 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 166
Yes, I've had to boost myself 5 times since Sat. I did not leave any lights on it just died Sat. morning after being parked for 12 hours.
But what about the 13.87V while the car is running? Isn't the ALT supposed to boost that to 14.4?
Thanks
But what about the 13.87V while the car is running? Isn't the ALT supposed to boost that to 14.4?
Thanks
03-09-2004, 10:21 PM
#18
Originally posted by Sterling:
Yes, I've had to boost myself 5 times since Sat. I did not leave any lights on it just died Sat. morning after being parked for 12 hours.
But what about the 13.87V while the car is running? Isn't the ALT supposed to boost that to 14.4?
Thanks
Yes, I've had to boost myself 5 times since Sat. I did not leave any lights on it just died Sat. morning after being parked for 12 hours.
But what about the 13.87V while the car is running? Isn't the ALT supposed to boost that to 14.4?
Thanks
I suspect something is a miss. Batteries Don't "just" die.
X
03-09-2004, 10:23 PM
#19
your battery is done, get a new one. the 13.87v is good with all that stuff turned on. i only get upto 13.9 with everything turned off and i have TWO batteries. so your problem is not in your alternator.
14.15v charging is good. u never get 14.5volts.
honda cant void the battery warranty but i'd suggest just goin to canadian tire and picking up the biggest battery that fits your car. stock batteries are crap.
14.15v charging is good. u never get 14.5volts.
honda cant void the battery warranty but i'd suggest just goin to canadian tire and picking up the biggest battery that fits your car. stock batteries are crap.
