I have a 91 hatch std. It has been sitting for a while and I have been tinkerin with it. The car is drained when i turn on my lights, and rpms drop. When I turn on my high beams my rpms go lower. When I turn on my rear defroster on the car goes so low that it shakes and feels like its gonna die. I tried it the other day and the same thing happened and the belt started to squeel, even more so when I gassed it. The battery is new, and I checked my grounds I think. Does anyone know how many grounds there are and where they are? Could it be my alternator? Alternator and belt look new and in good condition. Any help would be great.

 

Do your lights get brighter/ accessories work when you revv it abit past idle?

Also, was it humid or damp outside when the belts were squeeling? Could be unrelated..

 

Alternator.

 

DING!

Take it out and down to Sears or VIP or Pep Boys, have them test it. Of you have a meter of your own, do it yourself. It's easy.