So I put a stereo in my car, HU, AMP, 10" sub, 6x9's, front speaker. I ran 8 guage for power and ground. Well after starting it and playing some music while i tuned the radio, the car started losing power. The volts went from 14, to 8, to zero and the radio shut off. So after tracing every wire i pulled the alternator (1 wire) and batt and had them tested. Battery was bad so upgraded to a optima. I also did the big 3 upgrade and used 0 guage for power and ground, and 4 guage from alt to batt. Everything was fine until i test drove it, came home and turned it off. Now it wont start and sounds like starter gets stuck. Its the 6 volt one. What should I do next? 54 Bel Air, 235 with 3 on the column. Converted to 12 volt.
first i would take the optima back. those things are junk. just get a agm from sears or the local parts store. the 6 volt starter should be fine, i run a sixer in my 51 plymouth and have done the same in vw for years was the car 12v before you did the stereo? what do you run for a alt? (never mind just saw you have a 1 wire) im not sure why it would work before but not after doing a stereo.
Upgrading the power wire from starter to battery, alternator to battery and all grounds with bigger guage wire. So topped her off with some fuel and let her sit for awhile and bam she fired right up! Going to change the filter and clean the carb this weekend.
Just play some Patsy Cline and Ventures and you'll be fine. Maybe some Dick Dale. Gas helps too somewhat.
Your alt may not be putting out enough power and killing the battery. As for Optima batterys I have two of them and both of my cars run better after putting them in.
Click on this: http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/tips Read the top thread "A current topic" and add the HD relay to your ignition switch.
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