Battery Problems

[tobz72]

Hi,

It said to list my car and any modifications so here goes..
2003 Saxo VTR, k & n airfilter, lexus lights, sony xplode headunit, 5" pioneer speakers, fli 6x9's connected to an amp, lowered 45mm, cat back exhaust system

When driving my battery light sometimes flashes, comes on dimly or comes on brightly, sometimes stays on for awhile or goes off very quickly its strange.. Also when playing music when the engine is not running for about 5 - 10mins not even that loud, the engine will not turn over when trying to start it. So the battery discharges itself very quickly! Which is reli annoyin.
Im not sure if i need a new battery or if its an alternator problem??

Any help would be great, Cheers...

[SaxoAL]

could be the alternator on its way out, or possibly the drivebelt is not tensioned properly (or streched)
Check tension on drivebelt and also check the condition of it too. If it looks old and split, I'd try replacing that, and adjusting the bolt on side of the alternator. Then if that doesn't sort it, I'd be more inclined to say alternator is failing to charge the battery properly.

[tobz72]

Ah rite, the cars only done 26,000 miles though, so shouldnt the drivebelt still be ok.. Although, the previous owner did have the power cable for his sub and amp connected to the alternator, could this have wrecked the alternator?

[Ben_L]

pop it into halfords and get your battery and alternator tested, i think its free

[SaxoAL]

amp wiring connected to the alternator?!

Yeh, if the car is on its original drivebelt, it may well be just getting old.

You try spinning round and round for 26,000 miles and come out alright.... ;)

[tobz72]

hahaha!!! yea i duno y he connected it to the alternator, n im in jersey channel islands.. we dont hava halfords unfortunately. Thanks a lot for your help! :-)