figure this out and I'll buy you dinner
 

first off:
new optima redtop (maybe a 2 months old)
new alternator/belt

car starts and revs with no problems..
if I put it into gear (clutch still down) it will hesitate and die eventually.
if I push the brake pedal down it will die within about two seconds, same thing if I put it into reverse, or if I turn on the parking/head lights.

this used to only happen when it was raining, and could be solved by letting the car sit for a couple hours.
I was on my way to work when it first died, sometimes you can hear a buzzing sound coming from behind the gauges, it isnt the door buzzer, I unplugged that a long time ago.
there is also a clicking noise coming from the same area anytime I turn on the lights, roll down a window... etc...

one other thing I have noticed.
the temp gauge will go up any time there is an electrical draw.
for example: if I push the brake pedal, it will shoot way up, I let it go, it goes down.

I have video of everything thats going on, if anyone thinks that will help..

any ideas?? I am stumped... I am thinking it is a grounding issue, but I have no idea where to even begin. could the turbo have caused this with the excessive heat?? (it has never gotten hot enough that it shut off, despite the leaking coolant lines, which are fixed)

I can only drive the old el camino for so long...

what year car?

check the wiring harnesses for damage. it sounds like a problem i had with my corolla when i lowered teh car so much without securing the wiring harnesses, i had the tires eating away at teh harnesses and everything started to go haywire. check any harnesses around any moving parts, in the engine bay, check the wheel wells under your front fenders too.

Voltage regulator is going bad is my first gues. But if that is good then it is a issue of the wiring.

check the main engine (cylinder head) to chassis ground

dont worry its not the turbo...its you...lol
you are on the right track, there is no way to tell for sure, you have to look at everything electrical starting with all the grounds...also, include what year car it is...if all your grounds look good, look at them again closer...make sure they are all tightly secured
if I was you id take of dash as a last resort, check all other harnesses first, and then if nothing comes, take of dash, its easy to screw something up under there if you were taking the dash of for other things...good luck

it's a 92.
I checked all the wiring under the hood already, I didnt see anything abnormal.
I noticed there is one ground that isnt hooked up from the cylinder head, its the one in back by the exhaust manifold.
could that be it?
how do i check the voltage regulator?

Yes that could be it...re-attach that ground. either to the firewall or the stock location where-ever seems appropriate.

Dude, if you would ever call a guy back I could help. I actually have an extra brand new ground strap in the garage.

and oh yeah, my money is on the missing strap.

That's almost certainly it... bad ground to the head = poor spark = shitty running car.

like i said, if everything looks ok look again...this is more than likely it

haha sorry man..

I got your text the other night.
I have been crazy busy with work lately. should be better now I actually have a job where I get off at a decent time.

If the ground strap is the problem wouldnt the idle be really shitty too?
If that is it I am going to be pissed and happy all at the same time..

grounding issue.

you guys are good... I am a little embarrassed.

I can't believe that strap kept my car in the garage all weekend...

Thanks guys..
I owe you dinner m2cupcar

Just post some good vids of you running your car hard and we'll call it even. :bigtu:

+1

right after I swap my clutch and flywheel :bigtu:
I cant boost more than six PSI at the moment :td:

boooo