When I'm at idle, my car will typically die when there is a significant electrical draw (turning on headlights, holding down the power windows, cigarette lighter, etc).

For example, when I turn on the headlights at idle it will typically die. If it doesn't die, the RPM will drop to about 600 - then it strugles to recover and will idle poorly until it eventually dies. Reving when RPMs start to drop will keep her alive.

All of this ONLY happens at normal operating temperature as well. While the water temp is warming up there is no problem. I also have no issues while I am driving (cold or normal).

Alternator tests good.
Battery is good.
Plugs and plug wires are good.

Could it possibly be a vacuum leak? If it was, would an electrical draw have this kind of effect?
I need some serious help with this one!

Thanks

 

no i wouldnt think a vacuum leak would have anything to do, u might have a bad short..... with ur idle connections, POSSIBLY cross shortin ur wire on somethin else that has to do with an accesory??? have mazda check it out

 

If its a short your fuse should blow, or your lights will blow.

So its some sort of defect.

get dealer to check it out. (but expect to cost alot, since you put turbo your warranty should be gone)

 

I'd start at the obvious starting point. Your mods.....

You've been tinkering under the hood. Look there first.

 

i have the same issue. my cars going into the shop in a few weeks (not a dealer), i'll have them look at it then.

In the past it was due to loosened intercooler piping, but thats not the case now. I'll let you know what i found out.

-hS

 

Let me know what you guys discover. I have had to richen up the idle quite a bit to keep the car from dying at idle, and although my car doesn't die out, I do see the rpms dip whenever I turn anything on (ie. lights, fan).

 

Double check the main ground points, especially if you removed any while installing mods.