Hello, I have been having some problems with the alternator sometimes overcharging, almost up to 18 (I took it to my mechanic today and he says everything is ok). What happens is it when the charge needle shoots up, the sound stops coming out of my speakers and subs. The stereo will still be on, but just with no sound, not even static (regardless of the radio station or cd). So usually when I turn off the stereo, and turn it back on, it works until the charge gets too high. Just on friday it stopped working and now the sound won't go back on even when I turn the stereo off and back on at a normal charge! The stereo stopped working on my way to college friday morning, and it still doesn't work. I have also disconnected the battery, resetting everything back to factory settings but that didn't fix anything. Does anyone know what the problem is and how to fix it? (btw, if you need specific info about my stereo system it is in the link in the sig) Thank you!

 

Does your stereo work with the key in the ACC position?

I'd have your charging system checked again by someone else. Your regulator may be shot.

 

The same thing happens with the key in the ignition without the engine running. The stereo turns on, everything works normally except there is no sound.

I took it to Pep Boys last week when I was having the same problem (for a charging system diagnosis) and they said everything was fine also, so I'm not having much luck figuring out the problem. I changed my alternator since it had a lifetime warrantee, that fixed the problem for a few days but now it happened again on Friday. My mechanic to told me to come back right when it starts to happen again, so I'll do that and hopefully he'll find the problem.

Thanks again for your reply.

 

i'm having the same problem, my head unit will be on and there is just no sound, the EQ on the head unit is still moving so it is sending a signal out. But there is no sound at all. I checked the amps and the power indicators are not illuminated so i figure they are getting no power. So checked fuses in amps and the fuse under hood connected to battery and all ok. After checking fuses i restarted system and it worked. Ran for about a day then would cut in and out, no it is just dead again. No power leds illuminated again. And ideas on what could cause this? I'm going to take it to my installers tomorrow but they are pretty far away so i was wondering if anyone new what could be causing this.

Thanks

 

Turn your HU on. Then try connecting a short piece of wire to the amp where the power cable attaches. Now take the other end and touch it to the remote turn on connection on the amp. Don't touch the exposed wire. If the amp powers up and stays powered up you probably have a bad remote turn on connection somewhere between the amp and HU.

91FirebirdG4,

If your voltage is fluctuating like you say chances are good that your regulator is crapping out on you. Thats what it does. Regulate the voltage. There are 3 parts that make up the charging system. The alternator, the regulator and the rectifier. The alt produces AC voltage, the regulator regulates that voltage and the rectifier converts the AC voltage to DC voltage.

 

Well I got some bad news. I just took my car to my neighbor who installed my stereo system at Circuit City (now works at Best Buy), anyway he looked at it and did some tests and said my amplifier was fried And it is out of warrantee. This is disappointing, that amp was pretty expensive too.

I called AutoZone today asking for the regulator and they said on my car (I have the engine that all ls1 owners fear, the mighty 3.1 ) that the regulator is actually located inside the alternator. And I just got a brand new alternator last week.

Does anyone know if my amplifier would be repairable? Or would it be just as expensive to buy a new one?

A big thank you to LS1 RULZ! Thanks a lot man for your time and suggestions.

 

Hmmm...A fried amp? Thats odd.

Still doesn't explain your surging voltage though.

 

Your amp is probably fried because it got waaaaay too much power to it. It may be fixable, may not. What kind of amp is it??
I would defiantly say you having a problem w/ your charging system. Take it to a different mechanic.

 

It is a Sony Xplod 4-channel amp, Product # XM-404EQX. Let me know if you need some specific info.

I am going to take it next weekend to another mechanic that I know and see if he can fix the overcharging problem.

 

Do any of your lights turn on when your amp is running??

 

Well, i took my car into my stereo shop and it ended up being a loose fuse holder under hood. Funny thing is that they replaced the fuse holder with a larger fuse, went from a 40 amp fuse to 80. 80 is one big fuse . So while i was there got a 1.2 Farad cap put in, Power Acoustic with digital display. Solved vibrating battery needle problem and now i have to turn down the level of the subs. Great investment. Used to play subs at level 6 and now seems like 4 or 5 gives same output and now 6 is just crazy .