battery problem?? HELP!!!!!!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tAn_CamRy · 11-19-2002, 07:10 PM

i've had my camry since july of 2001 (and my system since last winter). every once in a while, when i start the car, i had problems ( the rpm only goes up to like 200 rpms and dies out, so i always gas it and works after a while). it happened rarely so i didn't get it checked.

today, on the way home from work, i was listenin to my system and noticed that my headlights were dimming. previously, my interior lights dimmed when the bass hit but if my headlights dimmed, it was unnoticeable. anyways, moments later, as i was listening to my music, when it was about to hit the bass, the head unit got shut off. then the head unit turned on by itself and again when the bass was about to hit, it got shut off. so i shut the system off. still on the way home, i closed both my windows at the same time and my headlights shuts off. now when i try to use my windows, the headlights dim but doesn't go out all the way. on one occasion, i had the system on and tried to close my windows and the whole car got shut down for half a second until i let go of the window switches. only i could tink of doin was shuttin off everything that needs power and lettin the car just run to charge up the battery. someone please tell me whats wrong?? i need my car to work to get to school and work everyday! should i get a separate battery for my system? or it is just time to replace my battery(if so, what kind)?

brink · 11-19-2002, 11:01 PM

Depending on how powerful your sound system is, you may need a more powerful battery, or a more powerful alternator. At the audio shop where I work, the guys who install car audio have said they sometimes have to put in a second battery for the larger (non-competition) systems. Was your system professionally installed? If so, was it a reputable shop with employees who knew what they were doing? Could be they wired it wrong.

Having said that, also check your fuses. Seriously. In two different cars I've had electrical problems stemming from installing stereos. In each case it turned out that I'd blown one key fuse, but since the wiring was so interconnected, things still sort of worked, just wackily. Really frustrating...

Heh, the 81 Mustang was the best... when I turned on the brights, they'd work for awhile then spontaneously ALL the lights would start flashing on and off as if they were attached to the turn signals. Happened on the way to post-prom and freaked out my date

MTL1324 · 11-20-2002, 09:09 AM

I think you watched christine one too many times :o

rpj1984 · 11-20-2002, 10:27 AM

I would reccomend you go through every wire you have and make sure it is all connected tightly...make sure none of your fuses have broke...make sure your wiring to your battery is completely connected...and if all that is fine then you might have to buy a more powerful battery or new alternator as said above...if you think that may not be the probelm then i would suggest you take it to someone that could tell you....for the battery i know Rockford makes a good battery...i would say just go ahead and hook tha up to your system and get a new car battery as well..it sounds like this one is shot...hope this helps
ryan

tAn_CamRy · 11-21-2002, 01:12 AM

if i needed a battery, i was gonna go with the "yellow top" optimas. i hear the money is worth it for that battery.

anyways, i got my stereo system hooked by a friend of mine. not neat at all. right now, im pullin 1000 watts outta a stock battery that has lasted me about 63,000 miles. so i tink i might need a new battery soon. any recommendations??

i brought the car into sears today. had the guy rewire some of the 4 gauge wiring. afterwards, he did a drainage test and an alternator test and turns out everything is fine. i tink it was just the wiring. one of the wires were corroding and fell off pretty easily. its weird tho. my alarm hasn't worked properly since installin my system but now it works. and also, i had a check engine sign for about 2 months and havent changed it. but now its gone. any ideas why?

im ordering my injen intake tomorrow!! i woulda done it today but i could not find a place that sells stamps at midnight. i hope i get up on time to send it out early so i can get it installed during thanksgiving break.

tAn_CamRy · 11-21-2002, 01:18 AM

oh, and sorry for the long a$$ post. hehe

VZV21 · 11-21-2002, 08:25 AM

sounds like the voltage regulator in the alternator is being overworked.

rpj1984 · 11-21-2002, 01:04 PM

Yeah i think the alternator is having to much current drawn from it...and i have also heard that the yellow top batteries are good too..i would say go for that

ryan

***Phi*** · 11-21-2002, 02:13 PM

I had a similar prob with my first DIY install. It turned out that I had a bad ground connection. Once your've eliminated that possability, the other likely cuplrites would be an old, weak and tired battery or an overworked alternator.

If your serious about audio, definantly consider investing in an Optima Deep Cycling battery.

DrtySthV6SE · 11-22-2002, 10:56 AM

Yeah Optima or the rockford battery is basically the same thing.

InNeedOfH2O · 11-22-2002, 09:07 PM

Dude I had the same problem with a old car of mine.
It was the battery.
The battery doesn't hold a good enough charge sooo,
when you turn on your radio, light ect. the battery drains until you start running straight off the alternator.
Boys and girls at home can try this, start your car and then remove the battery. Now get in your car and start turning on some things (do it before the electric radiator fans go on) until the car shuts off. That will show you how powerfull your alt is.