Cant handle much more. Car slowly losing power - Electronics - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

kowboy59 · 01-19-2008, 11:25 PM

It seems that my battery will go dead after a week or two of driving it. I cannot understand why it is doing this. I have cleaned out my whole electrical system 10x over. I have it so clean and yet I still lose my battery every 2 weeks or a month later.

I have a 105amp alternator from autozone, a gold series duralast battery from autozone also. Both are new and replaced at the same time. I have 2 12" sony explodes, a rocksford fosgate amp that pushes the sub, and anotherr little 250 watt amp for the speakers.

Will my amp handle all that? What could be some problems i have

84redta · 01-19-2008, 11:47 PM

first suggestion...try disconnecting the system for a while...maybe a week or a normal interval that would have already killed your battery. Your amp may and or subs may be killing your battery.

I have heard reports of when the oil pressure sensor is bad it will kick on the fuel pump even when the car is off (third party story so i can't speak of credibility as it hasn't happened to me yet

). Go to your car in the dead of night, pop the hatch and put your ear to the hump. If you hear humming...you got a prob, lol.

Any other aftermarket stuff that potentially is staying on after the car is off? Stereo turn off with key and maintaine memory when turned back on? Amp do a little kick when you turn your stereo on like it's turning on?

All in all it may just be a faulty battery and or alternator. Both can be almost dying by the time they make it over the counter. I would suggest going to auto zone. Complain to them. DO NOT have the system on as they will try and blaim that immediately. And let them test your battery and alternator against a load to see if there is any problems as of yet. If they start to recognize your face and see you complaining consistantly, most of the time they will try and hook you up with another set-up. Had that problem with a battery. After bieng in there 4 times in less than 2 months and the last time the batt tester sat there for 3 hours testing the stupid battery, they upgraded me for free to a 3 year battery. So all in all, make a presence, get your alt/batt tested as thats the easiest thing to do right now and see what happens. Good luck!

kowboy59 · 01-19-2008, 11:56 PM

I have already gone through that stage. I am now best friends with everyone at autozone. Gone through like 6 batteries and 2 alternators now. I have do idea what it is. I have a horn I installed but I know that cant be draining any power. I mean it is oinly on when i hit the switch. I will try the now stereo deal for a while see how that goes. What is funny is if I blast my stereo at night with the lights on. Nothing goes down. It just confuses the crud out of me

84redta · 01-20-2008, 12:05 AM

yea that does sound odd. LOL i'm friends with my autozone and advance auto stores haha. Thats the only thing i can think of. Mine was killing mine for a while but i can't remember why (it's been more than 5 years since i put a system in my car) idk...just had so much more time in high school than i do in college, lol. Anyways, i would suggest that, also potentially a capacitor. It's not a fix all, but it will help the battery by not having to try and send huge amounts of power over 20+ feet of wire to your amp. Umm...make sure all lights go out...underhood light (if equiped), trunk light, dash lights, center console light (if maro's even got em...my bird does...idk), umm, like i said make sure your amp power light goes out every time you shut off your car, make sure stereo is off and not in some sort of sleep mode. I know in my nissan pathfinder i was running the serpentine belt a lil too tight and burning up alternators...but i don't think there is adjustment on our tensioner pulley...idk...got me stumped...check your system and potentially disconnect it for a bit and go from there...it's just one more thing to cross off your list ya know?

kowboy59 · 01-20-2008, 12:08 AM

Thats where I will be heading. I will keep posting info as I go. It has me clueless. TGO should have a sticky of the weirdest 3rdgen electrical problem stories

firebird896 · 01-20-2008, 12:16 AM

You should get a capacitor for your amp, subs, etc. The sound systems usually drains the 12v car battery and cause electrical problems. If you don't know what your doing. What the capacitor does is hold a charge like a battery(only for your amps and subs) it charges when your car is on just like your 12v battery would if the car was on.

Just so you should know

camaronewbie · 01-20-2008, 04:27 PM

Car ever sit for more than 24 hrs without being started? The fuel pump will drain a battery in just over 24 hours if it's running. A bad oil pressure sending unit will make the pump run all the time, regardless of where the key is at. Open the fuel door, take the longest screwdriver you can find and stick it in the gas tank hole, holding it against the tube, put ear on plastic end and see if you hear the pump running while the key is in your pocket. If so, you need a new OPSU.

And that's the weirdest electrical issue with a 3rd gen I know!

Procat · 01-23-2008, 05:42 AM

Get a AMP/Load meter, connect it between the Battery and the car, note the drain/load, then start pulling fuses one at a time. If the load goes away after you pull a fuse, you'll know what sub system is draining.

Of course, don't use a lot of power (starter/headlights/etc) during this test otherwise you will likely blow your voltmeter.

kowboy59 · 01-23-2008, 09:44 PM

haha Okay well I know for a fact it is not my stereo. That makes it easier on me. I have a lot hooked up on that terminal so it eliminates alot.

paycheck0171 · 07-07-2008, 01:14 AM

I can vouch for the fuel pump switch. I had that happen once. I also had a hatch pull down motor that didn't even work anymore drain the battery.