95 Escort won't start, acts crazy

My 95 Escort w/ 1.9L 5 speed won't start. I can push it off but I can't jump it off. So I assumed starter problem. BUT, after driving it, I noticed that if I turn the stereo up loud (I have an external amplifier), or use my turn signal, my tachometer will go crazy, my open door chimes will come on, and my windshield wipers will work suddenly. Other than that, it drives fine.:grinyes: Could this be a bad ground or faulty voltage regulator? Thanks for the help!

You may want to start by going over your wiring for the sound system. Sometimes people put systems in there that the car battery can not handle... very possible something has shorted out.

Faulty alternator or voltage regulator which is in the alternator. A friend of mine had a huge amp that put such a demand on the battery that the alternator burned up. The alternators on Escorts put out 75 amps. If your system draws even close to that it will finish off an alternator and wreak havoc on your electrical system..

My amp is a 200 Watt MTX amplifier. I installed it when I bought the car which was about 4 or 5 weeks before the problems came about. You feel fairly certain it's the alternator? Just to add, I cranked the car and put a meter on it & it's putting out about 12.5 volts. I turned up my stereo & used my turn signals but didn't get it to do the crazy things it did a few days ago. I also didn't see any spikes or dips in voltage.

Volts and amps are different animals. No, the problem may not necessarily be in the alternator (or it may not ONLY be the alternator). Because your sound system draws more power than your alternator can handle you may have fried various things... start by having your alternator tested under load.

AutoZone will load test it for free. 12.5 volts is no normal for a car with the engine running.

P.S. My driving lights are 200 watts (2 x 100 watts) and I've never had any problem.

Watts, volts, amps.... all different animals. We are concerned with amperage here.