Thread: Getting a bald spot... driveability problems

Hey everyone. I was wondering if you all could share your thoughts on this.
I had an issue with my 96 G20 where it would stall at a low rpm. I was initially getting an engine code for misfire on cylinder 2. I have since replaced the distributor, cap, rotor, plugs, and wires. This was more maintenance than anything.
The ECU no longer generates codes. However, the stalling at low RPM remained. Last night I decided to reground the MAF sensor. I did this and the car was running fine. I did however notice when driving, if I hit the brakes, the headlights dim and the car seems to almost want to die. In fact, it did die a few times. I did check the voltage and the alternator seems to be pushing plenty of juice back to the battery, I even hooked up a new battery and the problem remained.

All I did was clean the throttle body, and reground the white center wire on the MAF plug to the frame of the car.
When it was running, like on the freeway, the car drove strong and accelerated smoothly through the low rpms. However, when I hit the break, the lights dimmed... this did NOT seem normal.
i'm going nuts here and pulling my hair out. I have no clue what happened or what may have gone wrong. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks as always.


p.s. on a side note I drove my NX to work today. WOW, I forgot how quick that thing is!

Update. I replaced the alt this evening and grounded the maf to the intake. I still get the dimming lights when I put an electrical load on the system.
I stepped on the breaks, and rolled up all the windows at the same time. The lights got dim to the point of almost killing the car. After a couple of seconds I hear a relay click down by the fuse block inside the car. At that point the lights regained their original strength. I'm reading through the FSM now. Is there a relay or something that could be causing this behavior?

check your battery? Also check your battery ground while at it.

The battery and alternator are new. I also installed a new ground wire when I built the car. So those should be okay. Voltages are checking out on the battery and alternator. This doesn't make sense.

hmm quick google search came up with people having the same problems.

just a few to get you started. lights dim when braking - Google Search seems like a lot of people have this problem

I was actually able to make it do something strange tonight.
I had the key in the on position with the engine off.
I had all windows up.
I kicked all the switches on to roll up the windows up and tapped the brakes.
Everything went very dim and the click under the dash clicked once and ALL power to the car shut off. No headlights, no dash lights, no indication that the key was in the on position.
I figured I tripped the circuit breaker under the dash or blew the fuseable link. After about 30 seconds I got power back.

So to recap, New alternator, battery, cap, wires, plugs and rotor from a recent tune up.
This started to happen once I went to reground my MAF. I have since reverted back to the original ground.
I'm pulling my hair out and getting totally frustrated with this car. Can anyone tell me what exactly is clicking under the dash? Relay or circuit breaker?