bad battery or alternator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: PA
bad battery or alternator
I have a 97 auto and this thing has been a nightmare since I bought it. I replaced the transmission last week and now the gauges act really funny. For example, it will show that i have no fuel and I cannot get dic to change. then after driving it, everything starting working again. 2 potential culprits, 1 i put an aftermarket radio in the car using the wires down by the bcm for power. 2 the new $200 red top optima battery died twice on the car after I put the radio in. Radio works fine? any leads i would appreciate it.
Last edited by seegeer; Aug 16, 2012 at 09:15 PM. Reason: error
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
First off check the Ign. wire you chose for the radio. make SURE when you turn off the car that the radio dies as well. IF it stays on, there's your load....
Next, IF when you start the car with a dead battery by jumping it off and you remove the cable's, if she stays running then you can almost gurantee you its the battery or a load on the battery. Once the car is running ALL load is off the battery and instead comes off the alt. Of course, not true if your running a sound system and stuff like that.. But a dead battery that wont start a car will not run a car very long, IF at all. Therefore again..your battery would be the issue. Now, since this started when you installed the deck, use common sense and see what circuits you used for your deck's ign switched power source, and it's hot wire, or 12v constant power. then you will find your issue i bet.
Next, IF when you start the car with a dead battery by jumping it off and you remove the cable's, if she stays running then you can almost gurantee you its the battery or a load on the battery. Once the car is running ALL load is off the battery and instead comes off the alt. Of course, not true if your running a sound system and stuff like that.. But a dead battery that wont start a car will not run a car very long, IF at all. Therefore again..your battery would be the issue. Now, since this started when you installed the deck, use common sense and see what circuits you used for your deck's ign switched power source, and it's hot wire, or 12v constant power. then you will find your issue i bet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I am surprised you did not use an adapter cable between your new radio and the existing wiring harness. I have never heard of this not being available for almost any "major brand" radio. With that said it sounds like your radio is draining the battery. Almost any auto parts store can test your alternator to see if it is working. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: PA
there was no power coming from the existing harness? that is why i had to power off of the plug down by the BCM which I was told at gm garage was ok. Ill pull the radio tonight and then see if there is any change. if so, maybe ill just wire everything up on its own and eliminate the bose components. I really dislike aftermarket radios but the car didnt come with one.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Wiring like you did is needed. Since the stock does NOT have a constant there you MUST wire as you did. Only thing you need to find out is if the fuse you pulled off of is a constant on thereby leaving your radio running the entire time, OR is the Bose amp staying on or you get the idea...find the load, solve the issue.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
I am surprised you did not use an adapter cable between your new radio and the existing wiring harness. I have never heard of this not being available for almost any "major brand" radio. With that said it sounds like your radio is draining the battery. Almost any auto parts store can test your alternator to see if it is working. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
BTW, go get yourself some TECHRON fuel treatment. Make SURE it's that namebrand. use the whole bottle in the gas tank, repeat every little while and you will notice that within a short time the fuel sender will start working correctly. That has build up on it that keeps her from working. The treatment REALL DOES work and will get all that crap out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: PA
band, thanks for the tip on the techron, ill do that tomorrow. i used the adapter plug as mentioned, when i first bought the car, they had it wired up under the ignition. i disconnected it there when i took bill curley's advice on cleaning the ignition switch. i moved it down to the fuse box by the bcm.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Oh yeah, and when she does it again, the gas hand and all that, just reset the code and she will come right back to working again. Or at least mine did.. You can read the codes and all while driving so it gets fairly easy when you have to do it often! LOL Now though with the techron she is set, hardly ever happens anymore..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: PA
lol, nice art work! i feel comfortable about how it is wired but i have a high pitch whining sound coming from behind me. I thinking maybe some type of feedback, the radio ground is good, any suggestions there?