Extreme Engine bog when headlights are on

[ShawnT72]

Hello everyone! I just bought my first Nissan 240sx (a 95 SE, I think). It has been a dream of mine to own one for a while. The car is in rough condition electrically. It was previously gutted interior-wise, and I can tell there were some electrical modifications done under the dash and hood. It has the KA24DE and a transmission swap from the auto to the 5 spd. My biggest problem currently is that the engine bogs down big-time when the headlights are on, and even worse when the A/C (of course this is somewhat understandable) is on and on full blast. Every once in a while, it dies while driving under these conditions. The kid I bought it from knows nothing of what the previous owner (before him) has done to the car. Any ideas on what is going on and where I should look? Thanks in advance. -Shawn

[polemite]

does the ac bog you down on its own, or does it only get real bad when it's on at the same time as the headlights?

my first thought is that you have a short to ground somewhere in the headlight circuit. but if the ac alone gives you the same problem, it would be something that is common to both circuits.

if you check your fuse panel, are all the correct sized fuses installed? if the previous guy has installed larger fuses anywhere, that would be the circuit i would suspect to have the short.

[blkvrtswp]

Check for bad harness grounds, weak coil or weak alternator / bad alt wiring.

[sean9497]

Id say check your ground wires and fuses. Its absolutely electrical issues.

[ShawnT72]

Thanks guys!! I'll def. start there and keep you posted. As for the mysterious dying without warning, I read on another post that it could be the distributor. Is there anyway to test that without just running out and getting another?

[polemite]

the first thing to do if you're ever suspecting a distributor of acting up, is pull the cap off and check out the rotor and contact points. if they look like they have been arcing bad, change the rotor and cap. might just solve your problem right there. or at least you will pick up a nice smooth idle and great throttle response.

but i'd still say you've got a short or a bad ground like the other guys mention, regardless of any distributor problems.

[ncampos976]

Sounds like a idle air Control problem not bumping idle when things are switched on. Make sure all wires are good going to it. See how much a dif it does with it unplugged