Battery drain - Help!!!

[new62]

Ever since I put my stereo in, my 62 doesn't start after a few weeks of driving. (I replaced the battery with one from the dealer; so I know it's not the battery.) I attached the power lead from the amps to the positive terminal of the battery, and I think somehow I'm draining the battery when its not being run. Any ideas? Alternator?

It doesn't turn over at all; the amps look a little low (around 12) but not terribly so. It just doesn't crank, and when I turn the key, the needle drops and all the lights/etc. turn off until the key is turned back, as if turning the key kills the ignition.

Help. I'm electrically retarded. And my truck is dead, and I'd like to not drive it over a cliff out of frustration this week.

Thanks.

 

[nikos8]

You say this happened after you installed a stereo system in your 62? Am I right in understanding that you have multiple amps running your stereo system? If this is the case, when you attached the power lead of the amps to the battery did you make shure that the amps turn off when the head unit (radio) is turned off? If they stay on after the head unit is turned off, they will stay on after you turn your engine off thus draining your battery. If this is the case you didn't wire the amps properly. The remote turn on/off lead from the amps should be wired to the head unit. I hope this helps.

 

[new62]

Yes

Remote turn-on leads are wired correctly; the amps turn on and off properly - without the remote turn-on leads, the amps wouldn't fire up at all - they default to being off, I believe.

 

[nikos8]

Then it may be your alternator. You can get it tested at a local shop to see if it is charging the battery. It might just be a coincidence that it went bad at the same time you installed your stereo system.

 

[euclid]

Measure voltage at the back of the altenator. I bet you will find it is around or less than 12.5 volts. Running an amp and other voltage hungary electrical stuff will mean that your battery never gets then needed voltage (13+) to recharge.

I just replaced my alt late last week. Brighter lights, fuller bass response, all around well spent money. Get the OEM one from John Hocker or CDan.