OK. Many of you will remember reading about my last posts about the dimming headlights. I went today to Autozone and had the car load tested. The tech claimed that nothing looks wrong. All the limits are good and everything. I noticed that when he was running the car and the A/C kicked in, the voltage dropped from like 13.2 to about 10.4. Is this normal? Also, he said it could be the headlights themselves, but I told him that the interior lights seem to dim also. Anyways, I just went and bought Silverstars(they're on sale at Pep Boys again), so we'll see if that does anything, but I doubt it.
Is it just me that's dim?
Also, someone responded to my last post saying that the problem was probably that:
QUOTE
Not really a problem but rather a feature of a cheap manufacturer.
Is there anything that can be done about it?(short of re-wiring the whole car with heavier gauge). New alternator(heavy duty)?
I appreciate everything, you guys have helped me immensely already.
My car lights tend to dim when the AC kicks on, it's very slight, not too noticeable, and it usually corrects itself with time (kinda like it fades into brightness). I think its just a natural thing, I don't really notice anymore.
No matter how good your charging system, wiring, and batteries are, you could have a problem with the A/C compressor or the A/C compressor clutch. Is the idle dropping or anything? If the load test doesn't show any problems, then your alternator and battery are fine.
Let's say for the sake of arguement that it is the A/C clutch or compressor, can I fix either of those? Maybe junk-yard parts or on Ebay or something? Or would I be better off going to a mechanic?
I do mobile electronics for a living. If you really want to fix this problem which is not really a big problem is to get a good alternator and the biggest battery you can fit in there. The more and stronger cells a battery has the more energy it can store. if it can store enough energy to supply current too all of your accys the lights will dim. I install stiffening capacitors when i have problems with high end stereos dimming the lights when the bass hits. I recommend getting a red top optimus battery. This is by far the best battery on the market and also totally sealed. You can fit a HUGE battery in this car. I have the heated windshield in my car and the battery is the biggest it gets and the headlights still dim.
Show me a car that doesn't dim its lights when the compressor kicks in, or a power window is forced up when it is already closed...I have seen many other car manufacturers that are not Fords do this, including Honda.
Now that I have the Silverstars, it doesn't seem like they're dimming anymore, it's almost as if they are flashing. Had a guy the other night flash his brights at me.
Originally posted by DayOff@Feb 5 2004, 10:20 PM Now that I have the Silverstars, it doesn't seem like they're dimming anymore, it's almost as if they are flashing. Had a guy the other night flash his brights at me.
That's cause they're bright as F!!!. First time I turned on my silverstars I was blown away. I was alone on the freeway in the center of 5 lanes and as a test, I turned the headlights off to only the parking lights. I was personally lighting up ALL 5 lanes with just the silverstars. Major
Oh yeah, and my lights also dim when I turn on the rear defroster. Its all just current drop and how noticable it is.
What the ones in MA IS like 30.00 What a rip off im getting. GESSSSH
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