Current Events > I think my new amp just killed my car battery. Can CE confirm?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I installed an amp and a sub in my car and I started my car up to make sure I didn't screw up the wiring. It ran for a bit and then I shut it off. When I went to start it after cleaning up my work mess it wouldn't do anything.

I tried to jump it for about an hour and only made progress after I disconnected the amp's power wire. Got the car started, just barely with all my lights flickering, and as soon as I shifted into drive it died on me.

Is there anything else worth trying or does CE think it's new battery time?
---

Bump
---

Get an Optima Red Top. They're designed for vehicles with extra load and parasitic draw on the charging system.
---

I'll check em out. I'm going to check all my connections in the morning just in case. This has been such a pain in the ass.
---

That's not a battery issue if it's running and its doing that.

How big is the amp and what is the vehicle?
---

This is the amp

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S4XNEO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_lM54xfudBWLC5

I'm driving a 2001 Jeep Cherokee
---

Unsugarized_Foo posted...

That's not a battery issue if it's running and its doing that.

How big is the amp and what is the vehicle?

What do you think the issue might be? I know jack about cars so any suggestions are helpful
---

this happened to me when I put a deck in my car. had a mechanic who specialized in electronics look at it. he fixed it in 5 minutes and told me not to have anything installed at best buy

If you have access to a multimeter you could quickly determine what has gone faulty with some basic fault finding. If the car doesn't stay running after you get it started, either the alternator is not doing it's intended job or there are further electrical issues. Have you checked the battery terminals are clean and making good contact?

ne14a6t9r posted...

If you have access to a multimeter you could quickly determine what has gone faulty with some basic fault finding. If the car doesn't stay running after you get it started, either the alternator is not doing it's intended job or there are further electrical issues. Have you checked the battery terminals are clean and making good contact?

Unfortunately I don't have a multimeter. I may be able to get one later today. I'll double check the terminals in a bit but I cleaned them yesterday while I was installing the amp and when I reconnected them they were making good contact and wouldn't budge if I tried moving them
---

If it is the alternator, would any of my wiring job have messed it up, or is it just not working by chance? The car was acting a little strange earlier in the day. I was at a stop light and the whole car started shaking which hadn't ever happened before.
---

Check your fuses too
---

when you turn the key does anything happen at all?

if you see dash lights or any other lights come on, but the car won't start, you probably blew a fuse. You may have installed an amp that uses more current than the fuse it's connected to is rated for.
---

I think all my fuses are good. I looked at them yesterday. I can check them again later. It shouldn't be an issue with the amp's fuse anymore because I disconnected the amp while we were trying to jump the car yesterday.

The battery didn't seem to be charging while the amp was hooked up so I'm gonna check the remote start wire on the amp again because it shouldn't be taking power from the battery unless the car is started.

At the moment all that turns on is my interior ceiling light and it's very dim. The light turns off when I turn the key but nothing else happens.
---

You might have done something that shorted the battery which is draining it.
---

I replaced the battery and it runs fine again. Drove around a bit. Still wary to hook up my amp again
---

And my amp is working just fine. Here's hoping it stays that way. Thanks for the help anyway, fellas
---