I put in a new cd player and powered sub. Well all worked fine then power went out on the player. I have power everywhere except the cd player. All the fuses are fine. I tried to start the car and now it won't start. There is a loud grinding sorta noise coming from the engine bay. I think it's the alternator. I put new speakes in yesterday and the car started fine.

 

That grinding noise, I would bet is the starter.. Is it coming from the pass side of the motor?

 

Would installing new audio stuff have an effect on the starter? When I try to start the car the lights get dim and that noise starts. Could I need a better battery?

 

Installing that stuff shouldn't coudl be a coincendence, but the fact that your lights dim, makes me think it's something else.

Hmm, maybe someone else can shed some light here.

 

It's normal for your lights to dim when you try to start the car. We can't really diagnose a noise without hearing it, but grinding when you're starting the car typically means that your starter isn't lined up properly. That normally doesn't just happen randomly.

 

Is it really a "grinding" noise? Back when my battery went dead, it made a ticking noise. From what you described, it doesn't sound like the starter should be affected....