alternator or battery opinions please!!!!

[yes its a gts]

i just wanna get a few opinions before i go and buy a HO alternator...i just put a $500 viper alarm system in my car and i was driving down the street today..all of a sudden my e-brake,, abs, and battery light came on...my lights all dimmed and my car was having a rough time driving.....i got a jump start and made it like 10 mins before i did it again.....im definately leaning towards alternator...could it be a lose connection or something that circuit city did when connecting my alarm??? That would be really nice but i just think that the alarm needs a higher voltage than what my alternator is capable of producing....i would really appreciate some suggestions...thanks for your time and have a happy holiday!!!

[redlinee46s3]

You don't need a ho alternator. Your alarm doesn't use that much energy.

[blkcelica01]

sounds like Circuit City screwed up something in your wiring, you should take it back to them and have them fix it. I have heard bad things about Circuit City and Best Buy stereo and alarm installs, its best to find a good shop.

[AdamVIP]

Do you know a place to buy a HO alt for celis though. The highest Ive found was a rebuild to 170 amps. I need like 250 to be safe.

[2way]

250A? Powering San Diego?
Yes, sounds like you have an alternator problem... & it could be a loose connection or something related to the install. Check the connections & make sure you have "field" @ the alternator w/ignition on.

You can look on e-bay for a HO... I found one & posted it in another thread a couple of days ago.

[yes its a gts]

thanks for the help guys i got it to run and took it to circuit city its been there for like 12 hours now i guess we will see what happens

[ragingpaseo]

which CC did you took your car into???

[yes its a gts]

the one on route 40 near essex

[FlatSpin187]

It is circuit city's **** up.. bout a year ago i was bashing on CC and ppl got pissed.. saying that they dont **** **** up.. More than likely they ****ed up on the wiring and when u try to argue with them, they will probably just deny it..

[GTSDOHCVVTLi]

It is circuit city's **** up.. bout a year ago i was bashing on CC and ppl got pissed.. saying that they dont **** **** up.. More than likely they ****ed up on the wiring and when u try to argue with them, they will probably just deny it..



People like u should be shot.

An alarm...think about it... its an alarm. The biggest fuse on an alarm is prob 15 amps and it doesnt even pull that much current when its be used. At idle it doesnt pull but tiny milla amps of current. Do the math. How will milla amps of electrcal draw drain the battery like that. The only way it does is if it sits for 2 years.

Its either a bad alternator, battery or some parasitic draw from another component in the car

[GTSDOHCVVTLi]

sounds like Circuit City screwed up something in your wiring, you should take it back to them and have them fix it. I have heard bad things about Circuit City and Best Buy stereo and alarm installs, its best to find a good shop.


I've also heard bad things of good shops. You should be shot too. It's an alarm, how they hell is an alarm gonna draw that much current when its armed and at idle????? If it was incorrectly wired up and constanly draws that much current, the unit would be burning up. Unless you know how to wire it up...STFU

And you know what, I heard bad things about mechanical work and places where they have certified Toyota technicians. Explain that too me.

[yes its a gts]

you know what you stupid ***got....i thought the purpose of a forum was to find out things that you dont know....if your going to run around and post stupid replys to peoples ***T dont bother going into them, because honestly I don't have time to waste reading your smart A** comments....people like you get on my ***n nerves....every shop makes mistakes.... :bang:

[blkcelica01]

I've also heard bad things of good shops. You should be shot too. It's an alarm, how they hell is an alarm gonna draw that much current when its armed and at idle????? If it was incorrectly wired up and constanly draws that much current, the unit would be burning up. Unless you know how to wire it up...STFU

And you know what, I heard bad things about mechanical work and places where they have certified Toyota technicians. Explain that too me.

I was simply stating the fact that places like Best Buy and Circuit City aren't very reputable when it comes to car stereo & alarm installation. Its probably because most of their "expert technicians" are High School students who don't give a **** about your car. I should be shot for saying that :confused: The person who posted brought it up himself about the possibility of CC screwing something up when they installed his alarm, evidently because the problem hadn't happened until after the alarm was installed so the alarm install would be a logical place to start troubleshooting. I would think its possible if they wired a relay incorrectly causing it to be energized constantly that it would drain the battery, hence no burning or smoking of the alarm systems brain.

Yes of course there are instances of Toyota dealership mechanics screwing things up but you still you are much better off taking your vehicle to a dealership
for most mechanical or electrical problems.

[blkcelica01]

you know what you stupid ***got....i thought the purpose of a forum was to find out things that you dont know....if your going to run around and post stupid replys to peoples ***T dont bother going into them, because honestly I don't have time to waste reading your smart A** comments....people like you get on my ***n nerves....every shop makes mistakes.... :bang:

as for you, you need to chill. I can go into any thread I want to and if I want
to post "stupid" replies I will. "I need a HO alternator for my alarm " :rofl: yes, I will agree with you that all shops can make a mistake, unfortunately Best Buy and CC make more mistakes than others.

So what was the outcome? is your car fixed now or what? if so what was the
problem?

[GTSDOHCVVTLi]

Why are the 2 shops not so reputable? Maybe cause all people talk about are the things that dont work? Maybe because the 2 stoes are nationally known. You think bitching about a mom and pop shop thats not even national will do anything? Wo works at mom and pop shops? Kids. Has anybody ever heard or someone praising either of the 2 after an install. NO. Just like people barely praise you for doing a good job but they sure the hell will say something to you if you screw up.

You'd be surprised how many 'coincidences" happen. People say some of the craziest thing just to get a prexisting problem fixed.

An alarm will not drain the battery even if its hooked up incorrectly. If it's incorectly kooked up, you will know right away. Get out a wiring diagram and so some research. Learn how a 12 volt circuit works. Do the math and prove to me how an alarm system will drain a battery.

If CC or BB dont do good work, then why are they still in business? Why are mom and pop shops closing down when a new CC or BB is built nearby?

If you dont know the techinical aspects of the topic, dont post.

[blkcelica01]

like I said a relay thats energized when the car is turned off will drain the battery, especially if the battery is getting old.
Anyway you are making a big deal out of nothing, get a life.

[GTSDOHCVVTLi]

Now why would there be an energized relay if the alarm is idle when armed? Almost everything rests at ground. The only thing that can possibly drain the battery would be the shock sensor and that only draws milliamps of current- not enough to drain the battery unless it sets for 2+ years. Think dude and you need to get a life.

Poor guy, cant back up your claim.

[yes its a gts]

ok well first off blk celica that post wasnt meant for you....what you said was in fact logical...and it was my first thought.....some people just dont understand the point of having a thread to ask ??'s....... when you post on here its so someone who knows the answer...can tell you...i dont see y someone should be shot for asking a ??, it just so happened that my alternator went up the day my alarm was installed what would be your first thought if you knew nothin about alarms....im waiting for my new alternator right now...hopefully it will be here tomorrow.....and gts do me a favor dont tell someone else to get a life when your the one running in other peoples forums gettin smart internet GANGSTA

[2way]

:DYes, sounds like you have an alternator problem... Well... you've got the excuse for a HO, now;)

For you other 2 guys.... if the installer did something that cut the "field" (like blew a fuse or cut a wire) to the alternator... it wouldn't charge. Also, a relay that's stuck ON... would pull max 500mA... usually less than 100mA.

[yes its a gts]

that alternator definately doesnt want to come out....i ran out of day light today.....does anyone know of a tool for the bolt to release tension off of the belt

[2way]

A big wrench will do... search for the belt install thread.

[GTSDOHCVVTLi]

ok well first off blk celica that post wasnt meant for you....what you said was in fact logical...and it was my first thought.....some people just dont understand the point of having a thread to ask ??'s....... when you post on here its so someone who knows the answer...can tell you...i dont see y someone should be shot for asking a ??, it just so happened that my alternator went up the day my alarm was installed what would be your first thought if you knew nothin about alarms....im waiting for my new alternator right now...hopefully it will be here tomorrow.....and gts do me a favor dont tell someone else to get a life when your the one running in other peoples forums gettin smart internet GANGSTA


1) Who did I shoot for asking a QUESTION? No one, the comment was for negitavly ragging on 2 large retail chains for supposadly doing nothing but crappy installs. Read the reply carefully please.

2) Yes, its a coincidence that your alternator went out the same day your install happened. My point exactly. It's a coincidence, and my opinion was stateing just that and not a install error. Wouldnt everybody go back to the installer when there alternator happens to go out the sam day the install was made to check for problems? I know I would.

3)My "you get a life" reply was inteded toward another member's obnoxious comment. Note blkcelica01 comment right befor mine.

4) Note that my first comment on your thread was an opinion to your problem. Read the end....
Its either a bad alternator, battery or some parasitic draw from another component in the car
so this is how I'm running in on your thread?


so how the hell am I getting internet gangsta when I'm trying to help you out? So it was the alternator just like I thought? Your looking at my comments directed toward other replies regarding the bashing of CC and BB. Separate the two.

.....no freakin appreciation at all.

I'm just here to help. Have about 4+ years experience in vehicle audio, video, security, and various technical automotive electrical systems. I'm not running in on, I'm just trying to help. Look at what the fire is burning up befor you try to put it out.

[blackbird]

that alternator definately doesnt want to come out....i ran out of day light today.....does anyone know of a tool for the bolt to release tension off of the belt
You're going to need a 3/4 drive i just had my serpentine belt removed today and i did it myself. can't say i know what socket you need but i do know you're going to need a 3/4 drive and yes that will do the job , just use some elbow grease to get the bolt to losen but other than that good luck in removing the alternator, those things are expensive ie OEM i believe they are somewhere around $450.00 :thumbup:

[yes its a gts]

i appreciate the help i just dont understand why all the anger is needed....someone else stated their opinion just as you did....there is no reason to argue with them.....Yes the alternator is bad...and its not too fun to change either...i actually found a rebuilt one with a lifetime warranty for 100 so i cant beat that....hopefully i can get it in one day this week...thanks for the help

[GTSDOHCVVTLi]

I was just pisssed how how someone stated CC and BB do nothing but crappy installs

I work at BB and i know for sure my shop does damn good work or I wouldnt be running it

[yes its a gts]

thats understandable....however i wouldnt say all stores do bad work...but in this case i have done some research and this one does have alot of complaints....in the long run it all comes down to how the individual store is ran....if a manager is willing to let his people half a** their work....the employees will....there is a wiring problem with my alarm however you were right it has nothing to do with the alternator so when i get it running i will take it back AGAIN.....i would have much rather got this done through bb but it was 75 dollars cheaper with cc...i have had plenty of work done with bb and never once have i had a problem....the alternator goes in tomorrow finally and hopefully that and a battery will be the solution...pray for me...lol...thanks for the help man