Okay, I have quite the problem. I've had a stereo in my car for a year now. I rarely play it loud when the car is off, but about 3 months ago I had it cranked for a couple of minutes with the car off and there was an intense burning smell. I tuned it down, and it went away. Couldn't ever figure out what it was, but it didn't ever seem to cause a problem everything was fine. Today I was playing it loud with the car off for a couple of minutes and again had the intense burning smell. Its hard to isolate where it was coming from though. But now my car won't start. It cranks but won't turn over. I have no idea what the hell it could be. I really need some opinion on this one.

 

check your amp(s), check your battery, any capacitors for you might have installed for your stereo system......basically check all the connections of your stereo system that you have installed yourself

 

Why would a bad connection to my stereo prevent my car from starting though? It cranks fine, just doesn't actually turn over.

 

I'm really a newbie when it comes to stuff like this, but is it maybe your alternator? Do you think there is any chance you flooded it, and weren't aware?

 

@ rkostolni: i didn't mean it to sound that a bad connection wouldn't let your car start. i meant to say that you should check everything in regards to that burning smell.

have you checked your batterey's terminals to see if they are properly connected though? how about battery fluid? if a battery doesn't have enough battery fluid in it, it will not hold a charge, and therefore will not start the car.

@Moostafa29: an easy way to check to see if it is the laternator would be to remove the postive termial from the battery post while the car is turned on. if the car dies after doing so, then the alternator is caput. if the car keeps running (may run a little sluggish though), then the alternator is A-OK

 

Most cars use the battery as electrical ballast. Disconnecting a car battery while running can fry your electronic equipment. If you're worried about your alternator, remove it and take it to a shop to be tested. It sounds more like you have a short somewhere (probably associated with the sound system installation). Disconnect the sound system and try jump starting. I can't tell what year your car is but the original RX-8 battery was shakey as best.

 

Turned out to be 2 fried coil packs.