Amp making car elec. flicker
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=25694
Printed Date: June 01, 2024 at 10:44 AM
Topic: Amp making car elec. flicker
Posted By: sohx
Subject: Amp making car elec. flicker
Date Posted: February 01, 2004 at 11:01 PM
I've double checked the positive and ground wiring and can't find why my car flickers with it's electrical. Does this sound like a fuse or does it sound like something else? I don't think it's the alternator or battery since I had them both checked out. Could it be something wrong with the remote out line? Let me know what you think. Thanks guys
Replies:
Posted By: SDmustang21
Date Posted: February 01, 2004 at 11:15 PM
Did you just install a new amplifier for your radio?
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Posted By: Teamrf
Date Posted: February 01, 2004 at 11:48 PM
You may have some bad componets (amp, radio, etc) Did you buy anything form the pawn shop or from someone that is was selling it as "used", or anything.
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Posted By: Teamrf
Date Posted: February 01, 2004 at 11:49 PM
You may have some bad equiprment (amp, radio, etc) Did you buy anything form the pawn shop or from someone that is was selling it as "used", or anything.
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~The Rookie~
Rookie of the year that is...
Don't let the smoke out of your equiptment..it doesn't go back in.
Posted By: sohx
Date Posted: February 02, 2004 at 1:31 PM
No, It was all new that I bought. The amp is about 3 years old. I had it checked out at a repair shop and the guy said there was nothing wrong with it. Maybe there is though. Do you think the flickering is a car fuse or something? I have a new battery and the alternator was checked out ok. I didn't have it checked while the amp was on though. If it was an alternator issue don't they typically drain down and not just click off? I've been through the whole alternator replacement once before on another situation. Any replies are welcome. Thanks
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: February 02, 2004 at 1:37 PM
You are probably drawing more current than the system can give you, it will rob current from other circuits, the first place you notice it is a flickering in lighting circuits. It sounds like you are in the market for a bigger alternator.
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Posted By: sohx
Date Posted: February 02, 2004 at 3:17 PM
Really, I had the same setup before with the same alternator. Well, I'll have my alternator checked out again with the amp on and see if that's the case. Thanks
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: February 02, 2004 at 3:45 PM
Over time, a stereo setup that draws more current than the alternator can safely handle will wear out the alternator (and the voltage regulator and other components.) It sounds like maybe if your system was "fine" before and nothing has changed other than using it for a while, you may simply have worn out the alternator.
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: February 02, 2004 at 3:54 PM
you didnt sya exactly what was flckering, sounds like something is shorting power wires touching? ground to close to a open curcuit, power wire coming through fire wall touching something?
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Posted By: sohx
Date Posted: February 02, 2004 at 6:51 PM
I'm going to have the alternator checked out this tommorrow and see if that is the case again. I just thought the alternator would wear out slowly and not just suddenly stop. Would cold weather play a factor in the sudden problem? We'll, whatever the case is I'll have the alternator checked out again. I think it's probably that. It just throws me off how it just kicked off and then made the car flicker. I always thought alternators would slowly be worn out. We'll see how they read it. Thanks
Posted By: kenmci
Date Posted: February 03, 2004 at 12:37 AM
The more items you have on in your car the harder it is on the electrical system, if you are running a defroster/heater it will draw more current and make it seem worse then in slightly warmer weather. I'm suprised no one has mentioned using a cap, maybe I don't understand you situation fully. If you lights are flickering slightly when the bass hits then a cap might be an easy solution, however if it is a constant problem I would look to the alternator. Also make sure you are using a large enough guage wire to power your amplifier. What size wire are you using and what size amplifier do you have.
Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: February 03, 2004 at 10:16 AM
Yeah, if you mean the headlights dim when the bass hits, I'd add a cap, as Kenmci said. You were pretty vague in your post, so I didn't understand what you were asking- "car's electrical flickers".
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