Technical Help! has my alternator had it?

[Faz]

Please help. i have a mk1 punto_s 55 & i think my alternator might of had it.

I recently got a new head unit from halfords which they fitted, which is a sony one 4x50w. its been working fine until i thought i would temporarly put my sub in the back connected to the rear right speaker with no amp until i got one so its only putting 50w into it.

All was working fine until recently my stero just wants to cut out then turn back on. first of all a strange click noise comes form around the stearing coloum area (the same sort of click ur hazards or indicators make when you turn them on!) then the radio turns off.

It likes to turn of when it wants sometimes but i notice when i turn my indicators or lights on the stereo will cut out. i also notice a slight dim of the lights on the dashboard when i turn the lights on or of etc....

is it possible the alterbator has had it? when i first put the sub in the back i did use to leave the stereo running alot (not thinking) with the engine off! possibly this has drained it? i dont think my battery will be drained either as a new one was put it about 5 or so months ago!

I even pluged the orginal rear right speaker back in & it only did it once but i was at a standstill with the engine running, see it tends cut out more when im driving!

somebody help whats wrong? if it is the alternator how much do they cost brand new? or would I be better getting one form the scrapyard? and are they easy to replace yourself?

Regards
Faz

 

[Ozric-Al]

More likely that you have wired the stereo in wrong. If your alternator was u/s you would be having lots of starting problems. The alternator either works or it doesn't and all it does is charge your battery.

sounds like you have a power drain somewhere or a dogey stereo. Auto-electricians time methinks.

 

[Steven]

I agree. Tracing the problem could be very difficult.

 

[Faz]

More likely that you have wired the stereo in wrong. If your alternator was u/s you would be having lots of starting problems. The alternator either works or it doesn't and all it does is charge your battery.

sounds like you have a power drain somewhere or a dogey stereo. Auto-electricians time methinks.

Well halfords fitted my stereo & it was working fine until i put my sub in the back & started playing my stereo 24/7 with the engine not running half the time! doesnt the alternator gradually fade out? see it hapnd 2 a m8 not long ago he was crusing along & everything gradually stoped working!....

 

[Ozric-Al]

Well halfords fitted my stereo & it was working fine until i put my sub in the back & started playing my stereo 24/7 with the engine not running half the time! doesnt the alternator gradually fade out? see it hapnd 2 a m8 not long ago he was crusing along & everything gradually stoped working!....

Then your sub is drawing too much power causing the amp to cut out at a guess. Get Halfords to do the sub too as it def sounds like you are drawing too much current.

I say again, the alternator will either work or not. If you have been running the stereo without the car running more likely as not you have shagged the battery. You should never run your stereo for more than a few minutes without the engine running especially if you are running amps and subs. Asking for trouble really.