Battery going flat

[ethann]

Hey guys,

While I'm driving with no lights or stereo on the battery seems fine. Will turn on and off, Start fine. But pretty much when I use the Stereo for a while it drains the battery.

It had a 430 CCA battery in it when I got it, I upgraded that to a 970CCa battery, And the new one seems to work longer but still when I use the stereo/lights it seems to go flat and the stereo will turn off and on while im driving as if to say 'The batterys flat'. So I turn that off and it seems to turn on and off fine again.

I have a 2 subs with my stereo but It's all hooked up the same as my old corrolla. And surely the corrolla wouldn't have a bigger alt then the pajy? =S

Also I've changed the alt. With no luck.

But the belts on the alt swqeek heaps, So is it possibly that the belts on the alt just arn't grabbing enough for it to charge/run off the alt?
Meaning if I replace them it could be fine?

Thanks in advance.

[-Scott-]

It does sound a little bizarre, and nothing immediately jumps out at me as a potential solution.

Squealing belts are not normal - either they're loose, worn, or running on the wrong size pulley (i.e. belt is too narrow for the pulley.)

Is your Paj a 2.5td? Is the replacement alternator the correct model, with the correct pulley diameter? If the alt pulley is too large it may not be getting the revs it needs to produce enough current.

If the squealing started when you replaced the alt, I'd suspect the new alternator has the wrong size pulley on it. Not sure how to identify the right size...

[ethann]

It does sound a little bizarre, and nothing immediately jumps out at me as a potential solution.

Squealing belts are not normal - either they're loose, worn, or running on the wrong size pulley (i.e. belt is too narrow for the pulley.)

Is your Paj a 2.5td? Is the replacement alternator the correct model, with the correct pulley diameter? If the alt pulley is too large it may not be getting the revs it needs to produce enough current.

If the squealing started when you replaced the alt, I'd suspect the new alternator has the wrong size pulley on it. Not sure how to identify the right size...

I was talking with my dad today and he said just to get two new belts.
Yeah my engine is the 2.5td engine, So was my dads that the other alt came off.

At this stage where pretty sure it's the warn belts. I'll reply back with the results after wards.

Thanks for your help scott =)

[ethann]

Okay, So I replaced the belts. Now pulling tight, No noises.

Worked for abit, But it started doing it again.
But now it absolutly drains the battery doesn't recharge at all.

So annoying.
Could it be the rectifier? (I think thats what its called)

The alt I replaced it with was off my dads one that ran on his fine.

[-Scott-]

Does your head unit include a pop-out screen? I recently read (here?) about a head unit which didn't turn off its screen when retracted.

[ethann]

Nah its just a normal single din.

I've taken my subs out for the time being untill the problem is resolved.
While im driving, It just won't recharge the battery.

Grr. So frustrating.

Could it be a fuse some where?

[Locknut]

if your charge light in the dash is not working it may not charge the battery my NH did the same and i found out that the globe in the dash is part of the charging system.......no light ( when you turn on ignition the light should come on) no charge....

[ethann]

if your charge light in the dash is not working it may not charge the battery my NH did the same and i found out that the globe in the dash is part of the charging system.......no light ( when you turn on ignition the light should come on) no charge....

Ahh that may explain everything!
I don't have any reds.

I did when I first got it but as of late (Since the battery started going bleh) I haven't.

It could be my problem? =D

Could it may be a fuse somewhere?
Which is stopping all the reds from working?

[REDNUT]

take out your instrument cluster and check your charge light bulb,

if its blown it doesnt compleat the circut telling the alternator to charge the battery

[ethann]

Today will be a long day at work =p.
All I'll want to do is come home and start checking the bulbs and that =p.

Thanks REDNUT, I'll post with the results.

[dig3283]

have you actually checked the charge rate at your battery with everything off and then with everything on that could give you a good indication

[ethann]

have you actually checked the charge rate at your battery with everything off and then with everything on that could give you a good indication

Theres no charge rate...

Well that I know of, The battery goes flat as flat can be with everything off.
So flat that the blinkers don't work and the taco starts going crazy and then stops working.

[ethann]

Okay I got reds back.

I wiggled the plug on the side of the Alt.
Resulting in my reds coming back.

So I guess anytime I don't have reds I have to wiggle the plug?

[macneil]

check the bolts that hold the alt braket to the engine mine squealled alot untill i saw that one had rattled loose get a torch and have a real good look and feel around for it..

[ethann]

It's just the plug on the side is dodge.
I'm going to take it out on the weekend and try fixing it.

[ethann]

Update on problem -

Problem is resolved as far as I know.
The plug on the side with a blue and white (I think it was white) was just hell dodgey, So I just cut the plug off and soldered a new plug on to it.
Got reds back constally every start so far this arvo has had them. Drove about 80km with the stereo going (With subs going) and my lights, whipers and spotties.

Still starts strong even after that drive. No chance it would of started the car before I changed the plug.

It was kinda what rednut said but in a different section, Because with out the reds it wasn't completing the circuit.

Thanks for all the help guys.
At this stage, PROBLEM FIXED.