New Altenator :: Radio Resets

[illstylez]

I am having a wiered problem with my radio. I had to get a new altenator installed and now everytime my car has been sitting for a while ( i.e. overnight ) the settings reset (bass, treble, clock, etc.). I am stummped. I plan on taking it back to the place tha put in in over the weekend to have them look at but wanted to get some input from my fellow Solarians

I also have the "check tailight" light on everytime I get in but my brake lights and reverse tailights are all in working order. Can anybody offer me any suggestions. Could it be the battery??

[Sentinel]

I assume your car still starts after it has sat long enough to cause the radio to reset. In that case, I can only guess that it is the radio itself, and a coincidence that it broke at the same time. Maybe check to see if any connector is loose? Maybe have an exorcist banish the gremlins.

For the tail lights: Sometimes my tail light out indicator comes on and goes out later.
If yours stays on (and you KNOW your bulbs are good) I'd check to see if there is corrosion or other high resistance on the bulb, socket, and connectors.

If I am not mistaken: The indicator works on voltage drop. If a bulb is out there will be less drop across the indicator check point because there is a higher voltage drop across the bulbs (more resistance because of fewer parallel current paths (ie: missing bulb filament) = more V drop across the indicator B/C it is in the series portion of the circuit) and I think if there is enough resistance in the system it thinks there is a bulb out.

I hope that made sense... This is one of the weeks where every class has stuff due and i'm a bit fuzzy today. (I repeat: LAST SEMESTER *AND* I HAVE A JOB WAITING)

[illstylez]

HEY GOOD LUCK ON YOUR CLASSES (BEEN THERE KNOW HOW TRYING TO WRAP UP CAN BE !) & CONGRADS ON THE NEW JOB (ESP. IN THIS ECONOMY)

Man so you think my radio broke when I had the altenator issue! I have an Alpine 9885 do you think IF it is the radio I could send it back to them? I think its still under warranty. Might it be a fuse problem too? I hate to pull the dash again man!

Im gonna check again on the tailiights and try and see where its coming from and report bck.

[Sentinel]

I'm just guessing. You might try taking the unit out and plugging it into a battery with a trickle charger on it. Use a switch for the ignition hot wire and see what happens over a few days.

Electrical problems are hard enough to troubleshoot when you are in person, with tools. Over teh interweb?