Lack of electrical power ?

[Razor_nl]

Hey Guys,

I have a european '96 2G with a 6bolt VR4 engine in it. Ever since I had the swap done I have some problems that seem related to each other.
First of all, I have an idle problem. It's not really a surge, but if I drive like 2.5-3k rpm and hit the clutch pedal, the engine stalls. If I let it up and hit it down at like 1.5k rpm, the rpm drops to like 100 and goes up again, but doesn't stall. When the engine is cold, the rpm is a lot higher (1.5k to 1.9k) and this problem doesn't exist at all.

Second, I have a problem when using electrical stuff when the car is idle. For example, my car is running idle at about 800rpm, when I open/close both of my windows at the same time, the rpm falls down to 400-500. When I release the window switches, rpm goes back up. Same goes for other electrical stuff.. radio volume, head/brake lights, all are on influance on the idle rpm. Light and sound are always the same by the way, they don't seem to have any problem.

I feel the 2 above problems are related to each other. In a worst case scenario, I'm driving with a fully warmed up engine, radio volume high, it's night so the lights are on, it's cold so the heating is on... In this case my car will stall almost every time I hit the clutch, no matter if I'm doing it at 1k rpm or higher... If I would open both windows when the car is on idle in the above situation, the engine would litteraly almost stall from it.

I don't have a very special audio set but to be sure I removed it, but it didn't help. I never have problems starting the car so it seems the battery gets fully charged all the time.
Now I'm wondering... where should I look at? And do you guys also feel these problems are related to each other?

 

[shadow_FIX910]

Check the alternator, check the battery, make sure the connections are good and tight. If you have a voltometer, use that to see if you are getting good voltage at both places. That's where I would start.

 

[JonathanNL]

Hey jeffrey,

This sounds more like a problem with your ISC not working properly. The reason it seems to be a power issue, could simply be that when more power is required extra stress is put on the idling engine. The function of the ISC is to keep the idle steady even with differant stress levels of accessories. Same should happen when you turn the AC on.

If wanted I can borrow you a spare ISC to see if this solves your problem.. just because I'm that nice..

 

[Bud92gsx]

The question about your rpms droping a bit when a power accessory is turned on is normal.. Anyone can tell you that at idle when you turn on the lights or heater the rpm's drop 100-200 rpm..That's just a given..And I'l tell you why...At idle you should be only charging the battery a small amount(700-900 rpm's).. When driving on the highway your rpms are much higher lets say 3k rpm...The battery is getting charged really fast and there is a load on the system...And when there is not enough rpm's to keep the alternator charging, and you turn on an accessory, the rpm's drop a bit...

I still would check your cables from battery to ground and altenator to battery, just to be safe..But like stated before me, you might have a small problem with the idle screw, which needs to be attended to..

 

[riopgtmn]

Here are a bunch of images of the OEM wiring perhaps this will be helpful

KL-Motorsports Image Gallery - 2G DSM

Good luck with your problems

 

[Razor_nl]

Thanks for the replys. I did check the cables and connections and they were all in good shape and connected properly.

@ Jonathan, do you have a spare (working) ISC? that would be great, ill contact you asap!