hey guys its me once again. i just finished an install in my saturn...new HU and a sub only....the amp only pulls 40amps MAX from my stock system....the stock alternator i believe is 96 amps....but it could be 85....anyway, I installed the system about 5 days ago and i have been using it a lot while driving but now the check battery light is on. the voltage output of the battry is 12.4V when the car is off. I know that i should probably do the Big 3 but with only a 40amp draw i thoguht i should be fine. should i get a new battery?

 

The check battery light is on? Sounds to me like you alternator could be hooped. What's your voltage with the car turned on? with a 40 amp draw, you should be fine without the big 3. If your alternator is hooped, then your car will be getting all it's juice from the battery, thus causing the check battery light to come on when the battery is low.. Be careful when that happens, you can't drive it when the battery goes flat [img]smile.gif[/img] If you're motoring along, it'll just shut off [img]smile.gif[/img] Happened to our truck.

 

its probably the alternator as i presumed because even when all accessories, including system, was turned off, the battery wouldnt charge and like your truck, died. it died last ngiht and i am pretty sure right now that it is indeed the alternator. i thought the alternator was a 95amp and i e-mailed saturn just to be sure and as usual it was hopeless. i will definately get a HO alt...i'll get back to you guys. thanks.

 

ok so its settled, it was the alternator. anyone know of a good cheap place in the GTA that i can get a rebuilt one?

 

cheack the brushes on your alt, somethimes they stick
also cheack the conections on the alt and where it connects to the main fuse block for the car,( i have had a connection melt on me there)