Possible electrical problems?

jamnut87 · Aug 31, 2007

Ok, Recently i installed a PA performance 130 amp alt, and ran a new alt cable from PA performance to use along with the stock one. Before this i installed a new Profile amp, infinity door speakers all around.

If i hit the brakes, flip the high beams, or even turn on the turn signal, the stereo will make the noise of something similar to a super quick voltage drop (sound will kinda drop, like the electrical system has too much of a load on in). It doesn't do it every time though... The only reason i don't believe that it is the alt or even the amp is because it even does with with the car off and on aux (to make the stereo play). Ive had a mtx sub with mtx amp and a Kenwood Excelon in the car years before i did these upgrades and now it even sounds as though its affected just like the rest of the stereo is... (it never gave me a problem before). Volume does not make a difference.

Ive also been having some intermittent low charging that wont recover after giving it some rpm.

This is leading me to believe that it is a wiring issuse.. Anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking maybe some thicker wire like this person did http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2327549/3

Thanks,
David

Car Nut · Aug 31, 2007

I have the exact same alternator from PA and had to do the following:

- Upgrade main starter cable to 4 guage cable (I used PA's cable also)
- Upgrade ground cable from motor to frame (standard negative battery cable wil do)
- Clean gound connection under waterpump (on front side of block)
- DO NOT use the old main alternator cable, but still use the other two small connectors

From you post above, it sounds like you might be using the old and new large alternator cables together. Definitely don't do this.

I went a step further than above and added a new ground from the battery (negative terminal) to the radiator support area.

Doing what I did above was cheap and didn't take long at all. Clean up the ground connections with light sandpaper.

If you've done the above AND still have problems, get your battery tested.

HISSIN50 · Aug 31, 2007

Very good advice above. Because it happens with the car off, it sounds like a ground issue. The additional motor ground should help.

ALso double check your wiring connections (notably the PDC connection). If it's loose or has any crap on it (that connection is arguably the most important on the car, and it's prone to getting resistive), this will cause alt issues.

And go over your amp connections. A bad ground connection can cause noise issues, as can issues with the power cables and sound wires being close.

Good luck.

jamnut87 · Aug 31, 2007

i was under the impression we should run the stock alt cable PLUS the 4 gauge upgrade... but i suppose ill go ahead and take that old one out (leaving the other two wires there)

As for the amp connections everythings connected, tight, and not chafing on anything

BUT NOW, an alarm system (that was disconnected) that has been installed since i bought the car (used) is starting to cause some issues as well (its a DEI viper system i think)... i had to tuck some wires back up under the dash that fell down (thank you people that don't take the time to do things right.... i mean it was just a mess of wires taped together ), and now my door locks don't lock with the door buttons

So i probably have a nightmare ahead of me tommorow to try and take this security system out once and for all....

Of course though, thanks for the help guys ill try the suggested things and see what happens.

:SNSign:

Thanks,
David

HISSIN50 · Sep 1, 2007

WIth the OEM cable and the 4 AWG PA-P cable, your effective circuit protection is ~260 amps. Not good.

There might be confusion with fox 3G upgrade wiring. On a fox, some folks reuse the stock charge wires (a horrible idea, since the fusible links sometimes dont burn before the wires catch on fire).

Personally, I'd use the new fused cable and disconnect the stock POS cable.

For your door locks, let us know if you have factory keyless entry. It sounds like you might not (with factory keyless, you tap *into* the stock trigger circuits. With no factory keyless, you interupt the factory wiring instead. This can lead to future issues with alarm removal if wires are disturbed). If you see a DEI 451M module, that's for door locks. Otherwise, see if you find two SPDT relays (that don't have a blocking diode in the sockets).

Good luck.

jamnut87 · Sep 1, 2007

well i got the alarm system out... it was a nice mess of wires but everythings fine now

in the process of taking out the old alt cable, and within the next couple of days im gonna upgrade the grounds

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