Dimming lights - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

CleanNeon98 · 03-02-2007, 02:00 PM

Well, here is the problem. When I turn on my headlights at night, they are fantastic. When I press the brake pedal, i can see the interior lights and headlights get a bit dimmer. Same goes for when I am trying to roll up a window, especially if its already closed, and I just pull the switch. Also, the biggest draw comes from turning on my heat/Air conditioning. What is wrong here, and what needs to be replaced.

05Accent · 03-02-2007, 02:14 PM

possibly ur battery sucks..

JSeoul · 03-02-2007, 02:16 PM

Sounds like your battery man.

XxaltezzaxX · 03-02-2007, 02:36 PM

Sounds like a turkey stuck in your vtec lol.
It might just be you battery, I know when the AC goes on in my car the light dimm for a bit, but everything goes back to normal.

CleanNeon98 · 03-02-2007, 03:37 PM

Cool. Thought it would be the alternator..thanks for the quick responses.

CleanNeon98 · 03-03-2007, 04:02 AM

Probbably because I like to listen to the stereo and dont want to burn gas lol...plus I had the system in which drew even more juice. Should I go ahead and replace the battery now? I dont wana get stuck at school 15 miles from home with a dead car. Is there a test that I can do? Perhaps using a voltmeter, im not really sure what its called..my grandfather uses it to measure the power in batteries and such, but it has many power settings. Me and him did this once on my neon, I forget what he did though...I think it was at 13 or 12 volts, and then when the car started it jumped to 15 or 16 and then settled. Also, if the car is off, and I turn the headlights on, they are ok. Then when starting the car, they dim, and after a second or 2 of the car being on, they get nice and bright. Thanks in advance for any help.

Honest_Bob · 03-03-2007, 11:28 AM

What your experiencing is probably youir battery getting weak. See if you can fit a nice 800+ cc battery in there it may help out. You will allways have dimming when turning the ac on, rolling up windows ect ect. Minor dimming is normal, but if your seeing the dimming getting longer somethings probably on its way out.

CleanNeon98 · 03-03-2007, 01:11 PM

Alright, me and my grandpop just measured the battery. It was 12.1 when the car was off, and 14.6 when the car was on. I dont know if this is in the right parameters.

MuddyREX · 03-03-2007, 01:12 PM

Sell the system, and buy performance upgrades. It will help to reduce the dimming.

Replace the battery while you're at it.

:EDIT: The voltage you are measuring sounds about right.

CleanNeon98 · 03-03-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyREX

Sell the system, and buy performance upgrades. It will help to reduce the dimming.

Replace the battery while you're at it.

:EDIT: The voltage you are measuring sounds about right.

The system is out of the car, and is in my basement..I already have a buyer possibly lined up. The system was running through a capacitor, and was fine then...my grandpop said it might be the generator?

CleanNeon98 · 03-05-2007, 02:40 PM

Just read on honda forums that the dimming might be caused by a weak alternator, weak battery, or a weak grounding kit. It says it can be either one, or a combination of any/all. I have information on how to do a DIY grounding kit, and wanted to see if this was good. Check it out

battery to strut tower
strut tower to firewall
firewall to valve cover
valve cover to frame

It was something along those lines, but the DIY was taken off of the boards after they upgraded servers. Also, where can I get some 4 guage ground wire for cheap...

whitezenki · 03-05-2007, 02:45 PM

its probably your alternator, go start your engine, remove the negative wire to your battery, if your motor stumbles or stalls its your alternator, proceed to fix it, then not pop your hood, or think about performance ever again.

not sure thats the best way to test it, but i am pretty sure it works, never tried it myself tho

CleanNeon98 · 03-05-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitezenki

its probably your alternator, go start your engine, remove the negative wire to your battery, if your motor stumbles or stalls its your alternator, proceed to fix it, then not pop your hood, or think about performance ever again.

not sure thats the best way to test it, but i am pretty sure it works, never tried it myself tho

That was uncalled for.

xEJ20x · 03-05-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Alright, me and my grandpop just measured the battery. It was 12.1 when the car was off, and 14.6 when the car was on. I dont know if this is in the right parameters.

Your battery is fine.

The altenator is either on the way out or your belt might be slipping..

Intercooled T · 03-05-2007, 04:02 PM

Do you have a big stereo in the car? Possibly an amp that is affecting your alternator and the way it charges teh battery...just a guess

CleanNeon98 · 03-05-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xEJ20x

Your battery is fine.

The altenator is either on the way out or your belt might be slipping..

Thanks, il check it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intercooled T

Do you have a big stereo in the car? Possibly an amp that is affecting your alternator and the way it charges teh battery...just a guess

I HAD a system in there...I dont know if this makes a difference, but when I pulled all of the stereo stuff, i didnt pull the wires, so I still have a power wire, RC cables, and a remote wire in my trunk just hanging there? Is it possible that the power wire is causing voltage to escape from the battery?

whitezenki · 03-05-2007, 04:45 PM

go check your alternator, i would bet money thats your problem, instead of stayin in here typing go pull the negative cord off, and when ur engine stumbles, then come back here and ask where to get a cheap alternator

Intercooled T · 03-05-2007, 04:54 PM

no, a better test is to take a flathead screwdriver, start your car up, and put the metal tip of the screwdriver against the power wire going into the alternator (there should be a nut where the power wire attaches, put it against that). there should be a magnetic 'pull'. If there isn't, your problem is your alternator

Intercooled T · 03-05-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Thanks, il check it

I HAD a system in there...I dont know if this makes a difference, but when I pulled all of the stereo stuff, i didnt pull the wires, so I still have a power wire, RC cables, and a remote wire in my trunk just hanging there? Is it possible that the power wire is causing voltage to escape from the battery?

never a good idea to leave the wires just hanging in your trunk.

whitezenki · 03-05-2007, 04:57 PM

do what he said^^

sounds more accurate, but maybe a little dangerous? ahhh live a little

03-02-2007, 02:00 PM	#1
CleanNeon98 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Philadelphia Member #2029 My Ride: "Honey Badger" Turbo Miata iTrader: (8)	Dimming lights Well, here is the problem. When I turn on my headlights at night, they are fantastic. When I press the brake pedal, i can see the interior lights and headlights get a bit dimmer. Same goes for when I am trying to roll up a window, especially if its already closed, and I just pull the switch. Also, the biggest draw comes from turning on my heat/Air conditioning. What is wrong here, and what needs to be replaced. __________________ 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 : 328whp / 308wtq / 2500lbs 2012 Toyota Prius 2 : Daily Driver

03-02-2007, 02:16 PM	#3
JSeoul Tri-State Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Member #2712 My Ride: 2006 Acura RSX Type-S iTrader: (0)	Sounds like your battery man. __________________ **SURJE.Motorsports InnovativeMotorWorks** \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. BBMessenger PIN: 24A39C04

03-02-2007, 03:37 PM	#5
CleanNeon98 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Philadelphia Member #2029 My Ride: "Honey Badger" Turbo Miata iTrader: (8)	Cool. Thought it would be the alternator..thanks for the quick responses. __________________ 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 : 328whp / 308wtq / 2500lbs 2012 Toyota Prius 2 : Daily Driver

03-03-2007, 04:02 AM	#6
CleanNeon98 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Philadelphia Member #2029 My Ride: "Honey Badger" Turbo Miata iTrader: (8)	Probbably because I like to listen to the stereo and dont want to burn gas lol...plus I had the system in which drew even more juice. Should I go ahead and replace the battery now? I dont wana get stuck at school 15 miles from home with a dead car. Is there a test that I can do? Perhaps using a voltmeter, im not really sure what its called..my grandfather uses it to measure the power in batteries and such, but it has many power settings. Me and him did this once on my neon, I forget what he did though...I think it was at 13 or 12 volts, and then when the car started it jumped to 15 or 16 and then settled. Also, if the car is off, and I turn the headlights on, they are ok. Then when starting the car, they dim, and after a second or 2 of the car being on, they get nice and bright. Thanks in advance for any help. __________________ 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 : 328whp / 308wtq / 2500lbs 2012 Toyota Prius 2 : Daily Driver Last edited by CleanNeon98; 03-03-2007 at 04:04 AM.

03-03-2007, 11:28 AM	#7
Honest_Bob TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Easton, PA Member #1179 My Ride: 05 WRX Wagon iTrader: (2)	What your experiencing is probably youir battery getting weak. See if you can fit a nice 800+ cc battery in there it may help out. You will allways have dimming when turning the ac on, rolling up windows ect ect. Minor dimming is normal, but if your seeing the dimming getting longer somethings probably on its way out. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

03-02-2007, 02:36 PM	#4
XxaltezzaxX Tri-State Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newark, NJ Member #2364 My Ride: 02 WRX, 99 foz, 03 p5 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a turkey stuck in your vtec lol. It might just be you battery, I know when the AC goes on in my car the light dimm for a bit, but everything goes back to normal.

03-03-2007, 01:11 PM	#8
CleanNeon98 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Philadelphia Member #2029 My Ride: "Honey Badger" Turbo Miata iTrader: (8)	Alright, me and my grandpop just measured the battery. It was 12.1 when the car was off, and 14.6 when the car was on. I dont know if this is in the right parameters. __________________ 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 : 328whp / 308wtq / 2500lbs 2012 Toyota Prius 2 : Daily Driver

03-03-2007, 01:12 PM	#9
MuddyREX Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perkasie, PA Member #82 My Ride: 02 Subaru WRX iTrader: (4)	Sell the system, and buy performance upgrades. It will help to reduce the dimming. Replace the battery while you're at it. :EDIT: The voltage you are measuring sounds about right. __________________ The original, since 1979. <---- 190,000 mile WRX - Gone To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

03-05-2007, 02:40 PM	#11
CleanNeon98 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Philadelphia Member #2029 My Ride: "Honey Badger" Turbo Miata iTrader: (8)	Just read on honda forums that the dimming might be caused by a weak alternator, weak battery, or a weak grounding kit. It says it can be either one, or a combination of any/all. I have information on how to do a DIY grounding kit, and wanted to see if this was good. Check it out battery to strut tower strut tower to firewall firewall to valve cover valve cover to frame It was something along those lines, but the DIY was taken off of the boards after they upgraded servers. Also, where can I get some 4 guage ground wire for cheap... __________________ 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 : 328whp / 308wtq / 2500lbs 2012 Toyota Prius 2 : Daily Driver

03-05-2007, 02:45 PM	#12
whitezenki Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Jersey Member #3121 My Ride: 1992 Nissan 240sx iTrader: (0)	its probably your alternator, go start your engine, remove the negative wire to your battery, if your motor stumbles or stalls its your alternator, proceed to fix it, then not pop your hood, or think about performance ever again. not sure thats the best way to test it, but i am pretty sure it works, never tried it myself tho __________________ The Pirates of Death and Destruction set out to annihilate and humiliate through Brutal Carnage. You gonna drive it, or buy it a dress? To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

03-05-2007, 04:02 PM	#15
Intercooled T Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairless Hills, PA Member #207 My Ride: 2003 Toyota Rav4 iTrader: (0)	Do you have a big stereo in the car? Possibly an amp that is affecting your alternator and the way it charges teh battery...just a guess __________________ 2003 Toyota Rav4, 2.0L/Auto/AWD To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. 2013 Nissan Juke, 1.6T/Auto/FWD (wife's car lol To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. )

03-05-2007, 04:45 PM	#17
whitezenki Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Jersey Member #3121 My Ride: 1992 Nissan 240sx iTrader: (0)	go check your alternator, i would bet money thats your problem, instead of stayin in here typing go pull the negative cord off, and when ur engine stumbles, then come back here and ask where to get a cheap alternator __________________ The Pirates of Death and Destruction set out to annihilate and humiliate through Brutal Carnage. You gonna drive it, or buy it a dress? To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

03-05-2007, 04:54 PM	#18
Intercooled T Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairless Hills, PA Member #207 My Ride: 2003 Toyota Rav4 iTrader: (0)	no, a better test is to take a flathead screwdriver, start your car up, and put the metal tip of the screwdriver against the power wire going into the alternator (there should be a nut where the power wire attaches, put it against that). there should be a magnetic 'pull'. If there isn't, your problem is your alternator __________________ 2003 Toyota Rav4, 2.0L/Auto/AWD To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. 2013 Nissan Juke, 1.6T/Auto/FWD (wife's car lol To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. )

03-05-2007, 04:57 PM	#20
whitezenki Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Jersey Member #3121 My Ride: 1992 Nissan 240sx iTrader: (0)	do what he said^^ sounds more accurate, but maybe a little dangerous? ahhh live a little __________________ The Pirates of Death and Destruction set out to annihilate and humiliate through Brutal Carnage. You gonna drive it, or buy it a dress? To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2005 WRX Lights Dimming?	Newbie WRX	Subaru Talk	31	08-06-2009 11:58 PM
2005 WRX Lights Dimming?	Newbie WRX	Exterior, Interior, and Electrical	3	08-01-2009 05:20 PM
dimming lights....	sleepersatty99	Exterior, Interior, and Electrical	3	05-08-2009 01:32 PM
Dash dimming	phate1229	Subaru Talk	7	12-03-2008 11:47 PM