auto shops in SJ to check alternator/battery
 

are there any in SJ that will do it for free? will toyota check them under warranty?
i took a volt meter to check my battery output and its only 13.8 when my engine is running.

i have a 550 watt amp but only using like 420 watts right now.

isnt that susposed to be ok, since a normal car battery is 12 volts??

yeah a normal car battery is 12v but i thought when the alternator is on it should around 14.4

any kragens or autozone will check them for free.

Took the words right out of my mouth. They got the testers there at the shop.

both kragen and autozone do not have info on the tC's alternator so they dont know how much voltage it should be at.

i called capitol toyota and asked the service people and they said around 14 and since mine was at like 13.8 they said it should be fine

would a capicator help with the light dimming? i am only pushing 420w right now so i dont know why they are dimming so much

grounding kit will help with light dimming... friends have them and swear it helps... even if so slightly.

have you pulled it out recently or anything like that...I guess I'm asking if you have loosened the belt at all on the alternator? If the thing isn't spinnin enough it'll cause problems.

Are you only experiencing problems when your stereo is on or, for instance, do your lights dim when sitting at a stop light with your blinker on?