engine and drivetrain urgent: electrical problem(somewhat long)

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey guys this is a pretty urgent problem since school starts tomorrow and my car is toast as of now. Yesterday i was driving home and i had my stereo on (800watt amp). everything was cool until the headlights started going dim almost to the point of off everytime something bass would hit. so i got to my friends house and turned the car off. i turned the headlights off and the stereo turned off (really wierd). and when i turned the headlights back on the stereo would turn back on. so i tryed to start the car again and everything died. i check the battery and decided the best course of action was to disconnect it until the next day when it was light out. so this morning i went out and disconnected everything that wasnt necessary to get my car home (stereo, PA, etc etc.) and as soon as i connect the + terminal the starter started cranking the engine over (w/no key in the ignition), but it didnt start because i have an electric fuel pump. so my dads out of town until tonight and school starts tomorrow and my cars sitting at my friends house dead. any help would be GREATLY appreciated. otherwise i am totally screwed driving my grandpas 81 green honda accord. (please save me). thanks!

mike

[Guest Anonymous]

--One in the engine compartment on the driver's side close to the front of the car.

--One under the dash, above where the steering column goes through the firewall

--One in the trunk, under the board covering the fuel tank

--Most important one between the engine and the chassis.

One of them is loose and those damn electrons are finding all sorts of nasty ways to route themselves.

Cheers!

John N

[Guest Anonymous]

and the block.

John N

[Guest Anonymous]

I wouldn't be too surprised if you melted a couple wires together and are feeding power to whatever some of those wires lead to. I'd look at all the aftermarket accessories' wiring first, particularly the stereo equipment.

[Guest Anonymous]

to the alternator looked like it was fine, but it was slightly loose and some oil had gotten on it and wasn't grounding so no charging. A quick wipe and tighten took care of it, but it looked fine visually so check this carefully.

[Guest Anonymous]

i disconnected everything except the starter and fuel pump and no go. same thing. i will get a ride back to my car and see if it is a ground. then i'll let all you guys know whats up. thanks for the help.

mike

[Guest Anonymous]

Anyway, I would not mix a 800 watt stereo and night driving with a 55 Amp alternator. Especially that usually younger people do their own wiring to save money... it is okay to save money, but lack of experience could be desastrous.

[Guest Anonymous]

Could still be melted wires. There are some circuits in the car that are constantly powered, and some that are switched power. All you need is one constantly powered wire breached and you've got power enough to cause all sorts of trouble.

[Guest Anonymous]

URL: http://www.nsc.ca/techtalk/basic_electricity.htm

If you're running an 800 watt amp, at peak draw it is using almost 67 amps of power. (800 watts/12 volts=66.667amps). You need WAY more alternator output to even think about running anything with this much draw. Click the link for the basic theory stuff.

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

okay so i finally figured out what it was. nothing to do with the alternator, nothing about my amplifier. The main power cable that goes to the starter had come loose and contacted with the little tab below it causing the starter to engage while i was driving, which would, in theory...cause the starter to run like a generator? right? and surge the system? does that make sense? if the starter was engaged while the engine was running? well i tightened it up and now we're back in business. i think my starter is almost fried though, it makes that "Zzzzzzing" noise like every other time i try and start the car. thanks for all insights and advice, now im good for school tomorrow. senior year! ahaha. peace.

mike

[Guest Anonymous]

The starter is designed for brief use, not continuous like you had. Likely it's fried.

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

the zzzzzzzing noise is the gear on the starter motor hitting a worn spot on the teeth on the flywheel and is unrelated to the problem you were experiencing.

You should double check and clean all your grounds, that is still the base cause of your problems and they will jump up and bit you again.

And put a larger alternator in.

John N

[Guest Anonymous]

i just put a rebuilt engine in like two days ago. the flywheel looked totally fine then. the power cable on the starter had loosened up and touched on the little tab below it that engages the starter. when i tightened that up everything worked just like normal. i really appreciate everyones help. thanks!

mike