like the title says theres a short some wear and I have no clue about electrical systems. I have a 88 n/a and I have a rockford fosgate amp and 2 ten inch subs the I dont think that there causing the problem but when I push the break peddle down and the rear break light turns on my volt gauge twitches a little bit and it seems like my subs go out. It's very tempermental and it dosn't happen all the time but it's starting to get more fequent and latley when I start the car it just about dies electricly and resets my cd player and clock. I have no idea were to start looking to solve this problem or even find out whats causing it. All I know is my ground from my amp is good, my battery conections are good, and my volt gauge sits at about 12 all the time. Any help that you guys could give me would be a big help. Thanks in advance.

 

Does it drop down at any other time? Such as, when you turn on/use your headlights.

Does it do it if you unhook your speakers/amp?

 

It only does it when I use the breaks and it still does it when the amp is disconected.

 

Anything under 12.6 volts and the car is running on battery power.

There needs to be at least 13.5 volts to charge the battery while the engine is running and 14.4 volts is the normal operating voltage for our cars with the engine running.

From your description, the issue is simply too much draw from the amplifier and an old or failing alternator.

Not an electrical short. Electrical shorts blow fuses, electrical shorts make smoke. They don't drain power.

 

ok thanks Ill have to go out to advanced auto parts or some wear and have them test my alternator.

 

After finding out that the car is suposed to sit at 14.4 I went and check my car and it does sit at about 15 on the gauge, I was mistaken earlier and when I push the break pedel it drops down to about 14 then jump back up when I get off the break. Sorry about the wrong info.

 

ok you may want to edit this I had no idea what this was about the title should read "Short somewhere in my car." I was thinking wear as in "wear and tear"

 

Are you still using the stock s4 alt? It may not be the problem but it is probably something you should upgrade with the addition of subs. 2nd gen alts are weak.

 

effn 2nd gen alts, i wish i could afford to upgrade mine, i really need to

 

15 is a little high...

Where is the amplifier and radio wired too??? I would next suspect that they have been improperly installed.

It is normal for the dash lights to dim slightly when pressing the brake at night (after all that is a 15 amp draw with the brakes on), but things cutting out suggests that the voltage is dropping under 9 volts.

 

The radio was instaled by circut city so i can only asume that they did it right but the amp power is wired right into the battery and Im still using the s4 alternator so hopefully I can get that replaced when I get my tax return. Can you sugest a brand to get?

 

Uh oh, I run right around 13, but my battery stays charged. However, if I turn my lights on, it's around 12... Are the meters usually wrong in the dash, or am I probably going to have to replace stuff?

Also, when I put my car in reverse, my voltage drops quite a bit (3-4 volts). I'm assuming because of my reverse lights. I thought it was a short, but you're saying that shorts don't drop voltage. Any clue what would do it then?