Need some Help...

[Reebs]

Hey guys,

I am having a few issues with my stereo and speakers, and possibly my battery/alternator. First of all, I posted this in the audio forum but I haven't got any responses in the past 24 hours, so I thought this might be a better place to post. Plus I need to get this resolved asap. Mods can feel free to lock my post in the Audio forum. My 98.5 SVT was in the shop for an entire repaint. Before my car went in, my speakers and head unit worked great with no problems. I bought the car with aftermarket speakers, but I haven't ever taken off the door panels to see what they are! Also, I am drawing a mind blank on the model of my head unit.

Here is the problem, they had to take my interior door panels off to remove the door handle for paint. I was told that they didn't touch my speaker, wires, or head unit. Well, I get my car back and now I have no power to my head unit (all fuses are good) and I can acutally hear my engine "whining" through my speakers which is REALLY annoying! The whining noise gets louder with the sound of the engine. If anyone could shed any light on this, it would be greatly appreciated. The body shop also said that they had to jump my car about 20 times (everytime they had to move it) because my battery was taking a crap. Not sure if all that jumping and charging could mess anything up!?!? A brought the body shop a new battery and it worked fine for about 4 days, then took a crap and I need to jump it again. This is not the original alternator on my SVT. I believe it was replaced about 30,000 miles ago. One more thing, I have heard that some head units have there own fuse on the unit itself, and that possibly could be the problem for my head unit not working and the whining sound through my speakers. If that is true, where is this fuse and how do I check it!?!?

I am just curious if my alternator got screwed up because they kept charging my battery and jumping it over and over. Also curious to know if the whining noise in the speakers could have anything to do with a bad alternator!?!?

I am very sorry for all of my stupid questions! This is just reallly driving me crazy. The body shop did say that if I can show them that they were the ones who broke something, they will pay for whatever needs to be done.


Thank you very much, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!



-Jeff

 

[96MystiqueGS]

Did you check to see if there is power at the radio connector with a voltmeter? As for a fuse on the radio, my Pioneer has a mini fuse on the back. The connector has a piece of plastic that covers the fuse, so once the connector is removed the fuse is easily acessible. As for the alternator questions, I'm not too sure, but something sounds wrong with your charging system. If the alternator was easier to pull I'd say take it to Autozone to get checked for free...but Ford made that a bit hard. Good luck and Merry Christmas to you too!
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[Ray]

Hey, man.

As for the noise of your speakers, you've got power to your speakers if you are hearing it (normally). Either way, check the radio suppression filter that is tightened down underneath one of the bolts that holds the coil pack down (engine, firewall side, where the spark plugs all plug in to)

There should be two different things that are held tight with those same bolts, and one of those is a radio suppression filter.


As for the alternator/battery:
Have you tested what you are ACTUALLY getting when running (as far as voltage)?

Firstly, the voltage readings will be skewed if you do this test on a bad battery, so make sure it is fully charged (12v) before doing this.

Start the car, and measure the voltage between the terminals You should ave 14.0-14.2-ish volts.

Turn the car off, turn the headlights ON for 60 seconds and measure the voltage again. It should be 12.0 or higher. Turn off your headlights.

 

[mercman]

A shorted diode in the alternator will cause the battery to drain over time and cause a whine in the audio equipment. With the engine and all lights and accessories off, disconnect the neg batt cable and connect an amp meter between it and the neg batt post. The current draw should be less the .5 amps. If it is more you have a problem. Disconnect the Alternator and see if the draw drops to normal, replace the alternator if it does.
jeff

 

[Reebs]

Thanks guys... I hope it is not a diode in the alternator! As for the radio suppresion filter and stuff, I just changed my wires today and I made sure to hook back up the ground and the radio filter thingy. So that is not the problem. I will test the alternator. Ahh... I want my radio back!



Thanks,



Reebs