so i have a 1991 db1, the car runs fine drives fine and everything, but at idle if i turn on my lights, the idle drops a bit and makes my radio reception go to ****, im pretty sure this is a ground problem, but im not sure which ground to check and where the grounds are at, i was thinking of adding an HKS grounding kit to the car as well since i do have a system, hid's and i like to drive with my fog lights on..

 

a grounding kit may not help anything. an alternator can only produce so much current. dunno what the weather is like there, but if you're driving with heat on blast, rear defogger on, headlights/hid's, foglights, and stereo bumping, that is going to draw a lot of current. checking your grounds is a good place to start, but you may need to install a capacitor.

 

Hmm how is your system wired up? Like Captain said, could be too much draw on the battery.

Side bar, I have had an issue in the past where my idle would be erratic with the headlights on at idle, turned out to be an issue with my IACV. The unit went bad, replaced it and all was well.

 

my IACV is new and clean, and its only with the lights that the idle drops, i think ill look up where the grounds are since im not sure rite now, and then order one of those 130amp altenators and install a grounding kit too, im hoping that it can fix my problem, it drops the idle just enough where it irritates me

 

If you're really looking into a grounding kit I have a Buddy Club kit for sale. PM me if interested. Good luck

 

PM sent

 

Could be Tstat housing ground too! That thing is known to cause all types of issues!

 

ive heard that a few times, can someone show me a pic of what that is and what do i do to make sure its not that

 

It's a ground on the thermostat housing, clean it and make sure it's connected tightly?

 

so take it off, clean everything up, maybe scrap it a few times and then put it back on?

 

firstly, check the charging voltage using a multimeter. it should be roughly 13.5-15volts.
if it is, scuff up all the ground mating surfaces with sandpaper. get them good and shiny.
usually the t stat housing grounds won't result in this problem though. but do it anyways. check/clean your battery to chassis ground, transmission to chassis ground, and both battery posts and terminals. make sure that the grounding cables, the wire strands, are clean and not full of white corrosion.
but your problem is likely all the aftermarket loads you have on the charging system.

a lot of people with 90-93 integras switch over to a 94-95 integra alternator. it's rated at 90 amps, whereas your 90-93 alternator is rated at 70.
that would be a much cheaper alternative to the aftermarket 130amp and should be enough power for what you've got.
but check your charging voltage first of all. if voltage is below spec, grounds are good, i'd swap to the 94-95 alternator

 

Wow. I Didn't know that. Good info thanks!

 

yea voltage is good, and a brand new well refurbished 130amp altenator is only $100 shipped..my terminals are good and i dont know where all the grounding points on this car are, and my bay is messy bc i still have heat, ac and ps and no wire tuck..like i said tho, i can have everything off its ONLY when i turn the headlights on that my idle drops and make my radio reception static'y. and how do you run a 94 altenator isnt it obd1? and my 91 is obd0. idk alot this obd stuff either ive only been in the honda scene for a bit and am learning

 

obd1 plugs are the same.
when checking your charging voltage, across the battery posts, check with the lights off, then turn them on. see what the voltage drops too

 

okay...ill post it up when i can get to it, im gonna be doing some work on the car tomorrow so i'll be cleaning grounds first and seeing if it helps

 

did you fix your problem?

i noticed when i turn on high beams or rear defrost the car idle drops