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Why does the engine stall when I turn on the headlights?

Tiny
WCKNOWLES
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 PLYMOUTH NEON
  • 180,000 MILES
I can turn on the heat, AC, radio and the parking lights with no problem but as soon as he headlights come on it stalls. It does this only when the headlights are switched on with or without anything else on.
Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 AT 7:59 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Sounds like the head lights are stealing ground from another circuit cause the car to shut off. Do you have a multimeter to do some testing?
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Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
WCKNOWLES
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Yes I do. As a matter of fact I check the alternator and battery first.
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Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Do you have daytime running lights?
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 1:44 AM
Tiny
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No daytime running lights or fog lights.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 2:26 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Alright the black and orange wire going to the head light switch unplug that connector. Now see if you have 2 ohms or less to ground. Do the same with the head light bulbs and check the black wires and make sure they have 2 ohms or less to ground.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 2:46 AM
Tiny
WCKNOWLES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ok I have checked all the wires you suggested and all were 2 ohms or less. After putting everything back together I was able to start the car and everything worked normally, lights, heat, AC and radio. After trying everything a few times it did stall when the heater fan was turned on one time but started right up after. I did notice however the the negetive battery cable was getting warm. Could all of these problems be caused if the negetive cable from the battery was bad? I think the may be original to the vehicle.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Alright heres the next thing I want you to test ground the black lead from the meter to the engine block. Then disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Inspect it for loose connection to the battery and corrossion. Now hook the red meter lead to the negative battery cable end that goes to the battery. Do you have 2 ohms or less?
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
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Yes my reading bounced around a bit but when it settled down it was under 2 ohms.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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What kind of bouncing around how high did it go before it settled down to 2 ohms or less?Sounds like you might have to check that cable out better it should just read 2 ohms or less. Also check the case of the alternator to the engine block see if you have 2 ohms or less.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 7:56 PM

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