electrical problem i think?

What is the idle RPM's on your car normally?
I have to think on first impression that you have a tuning or vac leak problem causing the problem, and a low idle would make it worse if the idle is pretty low to start with.

(it could kill the engine from the extra load on the alternator from turning on the lights if it idles low in the first place and has an intake leak or is out of tune somewhere)