Hi Guys,

I had a CB radio installed over the weekend. It routes directly to the battery (apparently the fuse box was "inaccessible"). Nonetheless, I tried to start the car this morning and it wouldn't turn over.

-I heard no clicks, just wouldn't do anything when I turned the key.
-My dash lights for oil, door open, etc. turned on as normal, but the car just didn't start.
-CB radio has been OFF since Saturday installation (but note when he was installing it for a couple hours, the door light was on.
-It started without issue 2-3 times since Saturday
-Battery is one year old
-Alternator is probably original.

Specs: 1998 3rd gen, 5 spd manual

Is it possible that during the installation, something was effected with my alternator or the CB is actually draining my battery without me knowing? I almost want to call the guy back and ask him what the hell he did.

The fact that he said the fuse box was not accessible is very sketchy... they are very accessible!

Being that its on constant power if it was turned on and left it could drain your battery.. but you said it wasn't left on so I don't know

Check your battery terminals. If they are loose truck won't start.

Take a multimeter and put it on your battery.

Anything less <11v, something's draining it.

Jump start the truck.

With the truck running, test the battery again.

you're looking for something about 14v, usually 14.2.

Anything lower than that, alternator is bad.

Shut the truck off, check battery again, for a little bit.

If it drains, or doesn't stay above 11v, your battery is bad.

In the installers defense, there is nothing wrong with powering a radio directly from the battery, in fact some manufacturers recommend it. It should, however, have a fuse in line near the + terminal.

This just means that unless the radio has a seperate lead for ignition sense, which some do, you will have to remember to turn it off.

If you suspect the CB is draining the battery, pull the fuse that the installer should have installed near the battery + terminal and find out.

Good luck.