Hi,
Last weekend I replaced the factory stereo in my 2002 1.6 Ford Focus, with a new one. Nothing special, just a Sony CDX-GT564UI.
Everything seemed fine, but on the way in to work on Monday the headlights and dashboard started flickering constantly. I put it in test mode on the way home, and after about 15 minutes at 14.5 the alternator reading began flicking between 11.5 and 15.5 - with the lights flickering to match. Towards the end it sat at 11.5 and the battery warning light came on.
I pulled the radio and drove in test mode today, and apart from a few blips when idling the reading sat at 14.4/14.5.
Am I just at the limit of what the alternator can put out, or would a short-circuit somewhere have the same effect? The battery light has come on a few times before so the alternator could be on its way out, but I'm surprised that the radio has such a massive effect.
Last weekend I replaced the factory stereo in my 2002 1.6 Ford Focus, with a new one. Nothing special, just a Sony CDX-GT564UI.
Everything seemed fine, but on the way in to work on Monday the headlights and dashboard started flickering constantly. I put it in test mode on the way home, and after about 15 minutes at 14.5 the alternator reading began flicking between 11.5 and 15.5 - with the lights flickering to match. Towards the end it sat at 11.5 and the battery warning light came on.
I pulled the radio and drove in test mode today, and apart from a few blips when idling the reading sat at 14.4/14.5.
Am I just at the limit of what the alternator can put out, or would a short-circuit somewhere have the same effect? The battery light has come on a few times before so the alternator could be on its way out, but I'm surprised that the radio has such a massive effect.