wacky guages, dim lights no stereo --alt or batt?

[SteeevO]

where it all began... last week i put in my wiz bang stereo (PPI amp & kicker L7 sub) everything was fine for a few days.. a firend put in a CD with a remix that was SUPPOSED to hit really hard.. right as the bass was gonna hit.. the stereo shut off....then came back on as soon as it started to play again .. it would shut off.. so right now i don't even listen to the stereo.. also from that first time it turned off.. i have dim headlights and the dim with each flash of the blinkers and a WACKED out Temp guage... it goes 3/4 of the way up with the lights on and is a lil high w/o the lights on. i really don't think the engineis as hot as the guage says.. i think it's an electricl probelm since it has only happend since the radio shut off...

 

i was thinking my alternator went but i started the pathy and then disconnected the battery and it still runs...

 

a stereo shop said it's prolly my battery but i think it's my alternator... or maybe even both...

 

but why would the temp guage be all retarded like that?

 

thanks ahead of time..

Edited June 6, 2006 by SteeevO

[k9sar]

maybe it's your choice of music

[zack1978]

See if this helps, : http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9144

 

I had some of the same issues, and it turned out that my alt was bad. Mine was under warr so it only cost $45.00 for labor.

 

Zack

[SteeevO]

yeah i read that but i wasn't sure if it was the same problems.. i'm guessing it's the alternator.

 

i'll probably be getting one rewound for more power or one from a/c

Edited June 6, 2006 by SteeevO

[94extreme]

check your wiring to the stereo components you just installed. that's most likely your prob since you just messed with it and obviously effected something.. check the battery.. it shoudl be close to 12V when off and somewhere around 13+V when running.. you might have blown your voltage regulator or the famous fusable link.. i bet regulator here.. or something got detached while you messed with your truck.

[fordsho90]

check your amp change fuses it sounds like your getting a draw from amp

[SteeevO]

what is this fusable link everyone keeps talking about? and i alread ytook a look at the new wiring it's only like 4 wires. and it worked fine for a few days till i really cranked it up.

Edited June 6, 2006 by SteeevO

[fordsho90]

its the big wire that powers your amp there is an inline fuse it should be under your hood close to battery

[nycxice13]

HEY this audio we are talking about? If so I got a problem. I just put in rockford fosgate p162s, component system. And one side is louder than the other, any ideas anyone?

[94extreme]

turn your fade the other way a little

[nycxice13]

First thing I checked, its balancd. Im gonna go home and take the door apart see what I messed up.

[k9sar]

you might have the + and - reversed on one of the speakers. I think I read somewhere that it would reduce the speaker output if yu did that.

[nycxice13]

Ok I will try that too, thanks everyone.

[vengeful]

I just put in rockford fosgate [stuff]

Well....there's your problem!

[unccpathfinder]

turn your fade the other way

 

i had to do this on my old head unit i was pulling too much from the rear so if i cranked it the head unit would cut off come back on and continue to play

 

also when my voltage regulator went bad the headlights/dash lights would get brighter as the rpms increased...

 

i'd say check it with the multi-meter to see if ure charging alright

[88pathoffroad]

A big bass hit might pop your alternator. Pulling the battery terminal while it's running is a WONDERFUL way to create a voltage spike and kill other things as well, like your ECU...don't do that. Have your alternator tested at an auto parts place, see what happens.

[nycxice13]

Well....there's your problem!

Heyy, Rockford is good stuff.

[SteeevO]

have you heard of someone killing thier ecu this way?

 

cause 12v in parallel with 12v = 12v

 

but w/e my ecu is still alive thats all that matters

 

and about ther sereo stuff... i have a friend that runs nearly all fosgate stuff.. sounds good.. but not as good as JL's or eclipse

[unccpathfinder]

Pulling the battery terminal while it's running is a WONDERFUL way to create a voltage spike and kill other things as well, like your ECU...don't do that.

 

i've read this several times and know its a possibility but almost every shadetree mechanic i know has done it many times (i've done it a couple when a multimeter/parts store wasnt available) and have never heard of any1 frying anything and never reconnected it while the vehicle was still running

 

was just curious of a probabilty or confirmed cases of this happening

im by far an electronics expert...i just do stuff that makes my electrical engr roommate cringe but yet i've fried nothing compared to the things he's fried but just being curious

[vengeful]

In RE to nycxice and SteevOs posts about stereo equipment...

 

I worked in an install shop for just shy of 2 years (had to leave because I was relocating out of state, that sucked, I loved that job). We stopped carrying RF stuff because we were having so much of it returned because it would keep breaking - or people would change their mind and decide they wanted that JL Amp, or those MB Quart Components.

 

Yes, RF is decent stuff....among the best of the garbage you'll find at BestBuy or Circuit City, but it is just that, middle of the road, standard stuff. There's nothing special about it.

 

Now, if you had told me you had MB Quart Component Speakers, McIntosh Amps, Alpine or Eclipse head unit and Earthquake Powered EQ, then I would be impressed.