steven121

iTrader: (27)

OK it was my brothers graduation, I get there car is running smooth, but when I come back, its like my battery just died? I never left the headlights on or anything else. Well my dad gave me a jump, and it had a hard time starting. Well when we got it started I left and couldnt turn the headlights on otherwise the car would just bog down, and when I turn them off it goes back to normal, the rpm's wouldnt stay normal for some reason, and the engine service light came on when the headlights were turned on... Any clue to what might have happened? Im wondering if its the battery, the alternator, Or maybe I wired my gauges wrong, which shouldnt be the problem because I had them hooked up for at least 2 and half weeks. I need help asap

EJEvo

iTrader: (18)

Got a multimeter? I'd test the battery and the alternator. How old's the battery?

03lances

iTrader: (14)

My money is on the alternator steven, sounds like it isnt flat dead yet but it cant charge the battery and barely keeps the car going.

steven121

iTrader: (27)

well the car works just fine for some reason? But im taking it to autozone tomorrow and getting it tested to see whats up.

I dont know how old the battery is because when I bought it I never changed it so I dont know when the previous owner did.

buchnerj

iTrader: (19)

My money would also be on the alternator. Check the connections with the battery and alternator, make sure they are tight and free of corrosion. No stray wires grounding out or anything either. Chances are, however, that the alternator is on its way out. It has enough juice to keep the car running, but when you put another external load on it (i.e. the headlights, aftermarket stereo, etc..) it will bog down and die.

Test it with a multimeter and make sure it is putting out over 12v, pretty sure my car reads 14v at cruise and idle.

steven121

iTrader: (27)

I have gauges in the car could that have caused the alternator to freak out

buchnerj

iTrader: (19)

As you said, if its been running fine for two weeks I doubt a problem would shoot up overnight like that. If you had a problem with the gauge wiring you would probably only blow the fuse they were attached to, rather than bogging the entire electrical system down.

Did you hook them up to a fuse or directly off of the battery?

steven121

iTrader: (27)

I didnt even hook it up to a fuse at all, there is a brown wire connecting to the box that has power, so what I did was cut that wire and spliced my power to three gauges on that wire, and there was a blue and black wire that had a plastic piece connected that said 16 pin only? so I cut that wire and spliced it to my egt gauge. they all work just great but should I have installed them differently?

03lances

iTrader: (14)

I doubt its your gauges as well. buchnerj is correct with the car off you should see around 12v DC at the battery and with the engine running if the battery shows anything out of the 13.7-14.2v range then your alternator is going out or some loose or corroded connection somewhere.

steven121

iTrader: (27)

Well the car is running fine right now? I will look at it monday when i get back from work in the morning, if its the alternator it shouldnt be to hard to install it

03lances

iTrader: (14)

Yes if its the alternator maybe it will last a day and it will die again, or maybe a week, but as long as its charging there will not be any noticable difference in the cars performance. As long as it holds over until you can confirm the issue

buchnerj

iTrader: (19)

Yeah. I doubt its the gauges, but I have no idea what you are talking about with regards to your install. The way most people do gauge installs is to either tap a fuse that is already in the cabin, or run a wire from the battery with an inline fuse rated for the amperage they need.

An alternator swap isn't too difficult, but it is a PITA. Good luck with your situation and let us know if you need any other suggestions!

steven121

iTrader: (27)

Thanks guys I will take it to autozone and see what the issue is and I will get it taken care of, This just pushed my build a little further, luckily I have all the parts

turbolancer02

iTrader: (10)

Steven if it turns out to be your alternator which is what it sounds like to me Pm me I have one on the shelf with a fresh rebuild by a local electric shop I'll hook ya up with cheap