engine and drivetrain Am I going crazy?

[burgerking]

I have a sneaky suspision that my brights have something to do with my engine running hot. During the day I have no issues with engine temp, but in the evening, with my brights on, the engine seems to be sizzling after 10 minutes.

Further, my brights seem to drain the battery while I drive...

Any chance of wiring being the problem here?

The battery has been tested and is in good order.

[c.d.iesel]

some voltage reading would help

could be 23 different things causing this

start with more details

[esty]

curious minds want to know....what does the temp do driving with your bright lights on during the day

[cbgii]

leave to esty to come up with the perfect test! When you say brights, I'm assuming you mean high beams versus low. So no problem when the lights are on low beam?

I don't see how the lights could affect the engine temperature. I wonder if it's a bad theromostat and there's something about the heat of the day versus perhaps a cooler evening that causes it to malfunction - guess it might depend on where you're located. What do the hoses on either side of it feel like when it's at running temperature? The battery draining when the brights are on? Sounds like a bad ground or a problem with your alternator - I don't suppose this could cause a false reading on the temp. guage?

You car looks familiar!

[adawil2002]

No you are not going crazy, this has very little to do with brain chemistry. The temp gauge is a guide and not 100% accurate.

A bad ground with the headlight & turn signal circuit can manifest itself through the temp gauge. When you put on your turn signals does the temp needle pulse up and down?

If so, there is increased resistance in the circuit, resistance = heat, clean grounds and connections.

[burgerking]

No you are not going crazy, this has very little to do with brain chemistry. The temp gauge is a guide and not 100% accurate.

A bad ground with the headlight & turn signal circuit can manifest itself through the temp gauge. When you put on your turn signals does the temp needle pulse up and down?

If so, there is increased resistance in the circuit, resistance = heat, clean grounds and connections.

I think we have it.

Thanks for all the feed back.

[Chris_B]

Well, let us know if you fix (or have fixed) the problem.

[TobyB]

yes, you're going crazy...

...well, you asked...

heh

t

[jgerock]

My temperature gauge needle will move a bit only when I put the car in reverse. It is steady when the turn signals are on and even when lights and wipers are on.

[willys]

are your back-up lights on?

[jgerock]

are your back-up lights on?

Yes - when the car is in reverse. The common ground point next to the gas tank has been cleaned along with the ones near the taillights. Extra ground wire was added by PO to the instrument cluster.