project is a b16a shortblock going into a 92 gs-r, which previously held a b17a. basically we moved all the sensors, wiring harness, intake manifold, over to the new engine.

the car starts. it runs fine, but there's a bad connection of some kind, and the everything cuts out now and then. even with the engine off, headlights and accessories can barely run. if the engine is on, and headlights or accessories are turned on, the engine starts to stumble, and everything goes totally haywire- alarm chirps, gauges go nuts, engine comes in and out, etc etc. sometimes it doesn't start at all, and just things go nuts... like when i turn the ignition, the alarm chirps. it's very hard to find any patterns to what is happening.

at no time does it seem like enough power is getting around. gauges, dome light, headlights are dim, power windows go up sluggishly, etc. but sometimes it's better, sometimes it's worse. it's never been so bad that nothing at all would happen, tough.

checked all grounds, all harness connectors, tried a "known good" battery, tried running with alternator unplugged. nothing we tried made a difference.

i think i also may have smelled something... like hot wires... not sure though...

please please any advice... this should have been the simplest swap possible... why does it have to be me, why, oh why... make it stop...

jeff

 

It sounds to me like a ground problem. Double check all the grounds again, see if any ground wires aor connectors look burnt up. Also make sure all the ground wires required are there. Make sure ground goes from battery to chassis, to block, and head, valve cover, etc are grounded.

 

Check your ground attached to your alternator....actually take all grounds off.....clean them and sand the car in those areas so they get a good solid connection.

 

thanks for the replies, guys. i removed and cleaned all grounds, so i think i've ruled that out, unfortunately.

at least i was able to drive the car home today. what it seems like is that only a trickle of power is getting through from the battery (we tried another battery and the problem didn't change). but maybe the problem is in the under-hood fusebox, or thereabouts. that would explain why this problem is effecting the entire car... time to poke around some more...

any more theories appreciated!!!
thanks,
jeff

 

have you checked the alternator?

 

wow, i'm glad it was something stupid... the negative battery cable goes under the battery tray, grounds to the chassis, then grounds to the tranny. i missed the connection to the chassis! runs like a champ... except for a strange knocking sound coming from the cyl#4/starter area...

thanks for all the replies!!
jeff