ok so heres the story .... i was driving up the dames point bridge the other day and it started to rain and get decently dark out so i decide to turn on my headlights ..... as i go to turn the **** thingy my whole car jolts and i lose power to everything my cluster my head unit and everything i can think of so i cut them off really quick and everything went back to normal then i tried it again same thing happened the car jolted pretty violently then i decided i didnt wanna do it again for fear of having to walk home. so when i got home i put the car in park and tried it ... nothing happened then i tried reving it to about the rpms i was at when it happend and turning the lights on .... nothing happened then the next day i tried it while i was drivin again same thing happened whole car jolted and i lost power to everything then when i was on a down hill i put it in neutral and waited for my rpms to drop then tried it it happened again but with much less severity and i got power back in a second with my lights still left on ........... so theres my problem any ideas?????

 

search for 'ghosts in electrical system. This is REALLY common.
Most likely causes are:
alternator
battery
battery terminals
neg. battery cable.

A digital multi meter would help you figure it out pretty quickly.

 

Sounds like a bad ground. The load from the lights is just too much and the voltage drop is killing the EFI making the car jump.

Check your grounds or add new fresh ones.

 

What you should check/change specifically is your negative battery terminal. The point where it grounds is usually the culprit when there are "ghosts" in the electrical system. I had the exact same issue myself and I bought a new battery (Die Hard International) and changed the negative terminal and that solved the problem. If you want to do even more to prevent the issue from arising again in the future install a grounding kit, I plan to do that as well

 

I have to concur with my colleagues - sounds like a bad ground. If u wanna check yours it is located right by your oil filter.

Good luck,
jonny

 

Agreed... A simple ground kit may be a good idea also if this problem is not immediately identified.

 

I plan to add a grounding kit because I'm just paranoid like that. I had the ghosting issue on the freeway during rush hour and lemme tell you, it ain't cool for your engine to cut off while you're in the fast lane. It never hurts to make certain, and from what I've read that's what a grounding kit will do, make certain you don't experience a loss of power due to an electrical issue. Like they say, an ounce of prevention....

 

for the grounding kit. It worked for me as well as new battery terminals. They need to be clean and tight. Let us know how you make out.

 

well its not on the battery end of the ground i just got a new battery with gold connectors not that long ago ill check the other end of the ground wire though then test it out tomorow and let you know how it comes out

 

i dont think its the ground wire i just checked it out everything seemed fine but the ground wire opposite to the battery was covered in oil along with the whole surround area .... im guessing thats not a good thing

 

Hey man,

Don't forget that there are several grounds in the engine bay. Even though you may rule out your battery one, there are 2 on the firewall I believe and one on the transmission.

Peace,
jonny

 

BTW... if u guys need a kit i got a brand new one... its blue wires instead of my desired red so I am kinda **** like that and ordered a red kit.. Its 5 wires from a circualr hub..

 

how much do u want for it