1930 roadster

[Bobant]

What would make my car run good when the headlights are off and run like it is cutting off or out of time when the headlights are on?

 

[1930artdeco]

Sounds like they are syphoning juice somewhere. Faulty ground?

Mike

 

[1931 flamingo]

I would look for a short in your headlight circuit.
Paul in CT

 

[Mitch//pa]

a short or low charge rate

if it is a charge rate issue the batt would be low after shutdown.
otherwise disconnect the headlight buckets from the conduit turn on the lights and retest.
most likely if it went away unplugged its in the connectors or bucket wiring.. you can also try one at a time to narrow it down...
if not ck the other direction /headlight switch etc..

worth a shot

 

[Jacksonlll]

If you don't have a fuse in that circuit, you must be frying something. Has to be a short. See if anything is getting a little warm!!!!!

 

[Charles Coe]

Could be a weak battery. How old is it?

 

[Bobant]

Battery is new and I put it on a trickle charge when not using it. This is something new as it didn't do it a few weeks ago.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions above as I will start the search .

A few weeks ago the fuse on the starter did blow for no apparent reason and at that time I did have the lights on. Hardly ever go out too use lights but I accidentally hit the switch today and car started actly bad immediately. Turned the lights off and everything was back to normal.

 

[Charlie Stephens]

Battery is new and I put it on a trickle charge when not using it. This is something new as it didn't do it a few weeks ago.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions above as I will start the search .

Unfortunately in this modern era we can no longer equate "new" with "good". If you get a chance have someone load test the battery.

Charlie Stephens

 

[Mike V. Florida]

short in the headlight wiring, most likely in the connector or the socket if reproduction..