I've noticed that lately, everytime i go to slow down and start to decrease in speed, my headlights and my lights on my dash will dim for a second and then go back to normal. Is this a normal thing for our cars??
-Markus
2002 Yellow Cavalier LS Sport
your alternator might be getting week.
maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow....... but some day
*weak*
maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow....... but some day
thats pretty normal for a lot of cars. listen closely to see if it is in conjunction with anything else....like fan motor, etc.
stock gt wrote:your alternator might be getting week.
I agree. Also, do you have a lot of audio stuff in your car (subs, amps). See if the lights dim with the bass.
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My car does this if the car has warmed up and settles into a low idle (around 600 RPM), and it is downright annoying if any combination of heavy loads are active. (i.e. Rear defroster, Blower fan, headlights, car stereo). I think this is normal to a point, but I'm sure a new or upgraded alternator could help. Unfortunately it's difficult to find alternators that do much better at that low engine speed. Charging is always easier at a slightly higher rev.
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My car did the same thing when I hit my rakes below 10 mph with the stereo on. When I disconnected my abs, it stoped? I odnt know, it baffled me too!
I had that problem with my car a few years ago... It eventually got to the point where using the power windows would just make the car shut off, lol...
Anyway- I purchased a HO alternator from eBay- I think it was a 180 amp...
At idle, the lights were still dim- the alternator didn't generate enough juice @ such a low RPM.
I used HPTuners to raise the idle to 900 & its much better...
matthew christian wrote:My car did the same thing when I hit my rakes below 10 mph with the stereo on. When I disconnected my abs, it stoped? I odnt know, it baffled me too!
All I can think there is that the ABS system pulls a good bit of current when it activates -- I got a good bit of dimming in winter during low-speed stops where ice caused a partial lock-up. I wouldn't think ABS would make a difference in dimming if the traction is good.
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