Problem... need help!!!

[gsbarrett]

Yesterday i installed my subs and amp. I drove the car a few times with no problems. Today i turned the car on and the car started but quickly shut down when i left it idle before backing out. It will run but if i leave the car idling it will die, so i have to have my foot on the gas. The car seems to be idling at really low RPM's. any ideas? The only thing i can come up with is that the battery is too weak... but then why would it start?

[Slider4105]

After start up the car runs on your alternator...or most of it. Maybe your alternator isn't powerful enough to run the system and everything else.

[rn79870]

^^^ would be my guess too. Try disconnecting the amp etc. Then see if the problem continues. You may be draining the battery.

[snwbrdr435]

ok we need to know how many watts you are running in your system you may need to get a capacitor which will help with the issue that you currently have. You can pick one up online or at a best buy etc.

[Slider4105]

Wouldn't a cap only help after awhile, because it would need to gather the charge for storage, and then anytime the sub would hit hard it would need to recharge it. It's worth a shot but he might end up needing a bigger alternator.

[telcoman]

After start up the car runs on your alternator...or most of it. Maybe your alternator isn't powerful enough to run the system and everything else.

You need to measure the current draw of your amps and check the rating of your alternator. Actually look at the specs of the amps & that should tell you. Ohms lawP= VxIPower in watts = Voltage x currentP= 12v times current?You may also have a wiring problem as the stock wiring may not be adequate for the amount of current draw of your amps? This will present resistance and cause a voltage drop as well as generating heat loss.You may want to consider returning the amps, getting your money back and putting it into a 401k plan? No more problem! Watch the 401k plan grow while you listen to an IPOD

Telcoman

[tollboothwilley]

Are you running your stereo up real loud before you back it up?

I would ALWAYS recommend a 1 farad power cap minimum with any setup for subs. Without a cap, you are draining the battery and running it straight off the alternator, which will put excess strain on it as well.

I'd recommend getting a gel cell battery (Optima yellow or Duralast Platinum). They have a much better reserve capacity.

The G has a 110 amp alternator. If you are pushing over 1500 Watts continuously for long periods of time I'd recommend building up the alternator.

[Slider4105]

If it's nothing crazy you should be fine with a gel battery and a small ish cap. I ran a JL 10W3V2 off a red top no cap in my Camaro and it didn't even dim the lights when it hit. My vote is still for somethings wrong with the alternator or wiring.......if you don't have a huge set up that is.

**EDIT** Especially if he said it was fine for the first day after the install.
Modified by Slider4105 at 8:49 AM 5/12/2008