Ok, I am worried I have seriously messed something up. I'll start the story from the top so you know exactly what has happened..
I bought an active subwoofer for my car 2 days ago, installed it 2 nights ago. Checked several online guides of how to wire the amp using a wiring kit. The only thing I didn't follow exactly was the earth wire, I just attached it to the bolt for my rear seats with no cleaning or anything. (I assumed this would be fine as the bolt would make a clean connection within the car body)
So all installed and remote wire hooked up to my ash tray light that comes on with side lights/dipped. I havent yet used the sub as I'm waiting on a converter for my rear speakers, so no sound has been through it, it's just had power on. The day after the install I went to work (about 10/15 mins, I would've thought plenty of time to show signs of the battery dying) during my lunch I also drove around for an hour. It was only when I was on my way home at 5pm yesterday that I noticed any problems. Car started fine then 5 mins into my drive home I noticed the battery light was on but very faded but seemed to be flickering very slightly as I changed revs and I'm not sure but I think my headlights changed brightness, and then back to how they were. I immediately pulled the amp's remote switch out to turn it off. I then drove home and hoped it would be better in the morning.
Started my car this morning, and again it started fine but the battery light was doing the same thing. I went and got my breakfast and ate it in the car with the engine running. After about 15/20 mins of the engine being started my electrics stopped working. (well some of them) My radio died, the speedo, petrol gauge (These all run on a 20a fuse in the dash, had the same thing happen when that blew) the only difference this time was my headlights were affected, they looked like side lights. I kept my engine running and drove to work.
I got to work and pulled the earth cable from the back of my amp. (even though the remote power cable was already disconnected) I tried to restart my car and it wouldn't turn over, re-charged all day tested the battery and it was fully charged. The car started quicker than it ever has done but the battery light was still doing the same.
I got home (no problems) and checked connections on the battery, tightened up the bolts just in case I've been an idiot, everything seemed fine, I even disconnected the positive cable for the amp, same thing with the battery light when I turned it on.
I decided to go for a quick drive to see if the battery would charge and literally a minute after driving I noticed an unusually high idle when I put my clutch down. I did a U-turn and parked up at home just in case it was about to die.
I have read that re-charged batteries sometimes need to reset their idle, but I don't know why it didn't show any signs of that on the way home earlier today.
The last thing I did was restarted my car again to check the battery and it turned over, but only just so the battery isn't charging, and it's still idling high.
Sorry for the really long question, I just wanted you to know everything. My first guess would be it has something to do with the alternator, can a dodgy earth on an amp blow the alternator?
I need honest and preferably experienced opinions on what these symptoms are usually caused by.
I bought an active subwoofer for my car 2 days ago, installed it 2 nights ago. Checked several online guides of how to wire the amp using a wiring kit. The only thing I didn't follow exactly was the earth wire, I just attached it to the bolt for my rear seats with no cleaning or anything. (I assumed this would be fine as the bolt would make a clean connection within the car body)
So all installed and remote wire hooked up to my ash tray light that comes on with side lights/dipped. I havent yet used the sub as I'm waiting on a converter for my rear speakers, so no sound has been through it, it's just had power on. The day after the install I went to work (about 10/15 mins, I would've thought plenty of time to show signs of the battery dying) during my lunch I also drove around for an hour. It was only when I was on my way home at 5pm yesterday that I noticed any problems. Car started fine then 5 mins into my drive home I noticed the battery light was on but very faded but seemed to be flickering very slightly as I changed revs and I'm not sure but I think my headlights changed brightness, and then back to how they were. I immediately pulled the amp's remote switch out to turn it off. I then drove home and hoped it would be better in the morning.
Started my car this morning, and again it started fine but the battery light was doing the same thing. I went and got my breakfast and ate it in the car with the engine running. After about 15/20 mins of the engine being started my electrics stopped working. (well some of them) My radio died, the speedo, petrol gauge (These all run on a 20a fuse in the dash, had the same thing happen when that blew) the only difference this time was my headlights were affected, they looked like side lights. I kept my engine running and drove to work.
I got to work and pulled the earth cable from the back of my amp. (even though the remote power cable was already disconnected) I tried to restart my car and it wouldn't turn over, re-charged all day tested the battery and it was fully charged. The car started quicker than it ever has done but the battery light was still doing the same.
I got home (no problems) and checked connections on the battery, tightened up the bolts just in case I've been an idiot, everything seemed fine, I even disconnected the positive cable for the amp, same thing with the battery light when I turned it on.
I decided to go for a quick drive to see if the battery would charge and literally a minute after driving I noticed an unusually high idle when I put my clutch down. I did a U-turn and parked up at home just in case it was about to die.
I have read that re-charged batteries sometimes need to reset their idle, but I don't know why it didn't show any signs of that on the way home earlier today.
The last thing I did was restarted my car again to check the battery and it turned over, but only just so the battery isn't charging, and it's still idling high.
Sorry for the really long question, I just wanted you to know everything. My first guess would be it has something to do with the alternator, can a dodgy earth on an amp blow the alternator?
I need honest and preferably experienced opinions on what these symptoms are usually caused by.