Lights in car dim...

[Funkyfin2000]

Hi Guys,

Just recently noticed the lights in my dim, quite often is a i turn the steering wheel when standing still. Sometimes the headlights do the same as well.

Last night, i put the interior light on, and the hazards and as the hazards flashed my interior light dimmed ever so slightly.

It is a bit annoying, any ideas why? Its a 2005 FR+ Leon so fairly new!

Rich

 

[ross p]

Everycar does this, nothing to worry about. The lights need electricity so they are getting this from the altenator/battery. So if there is anything else running from it then the current gets spread amongst interior lights etc, and therefore it dims ever so slightly.

It also happens when the steering wheel is turned because the power steering is electricaly assisted(someone can quote me on this)

 

[lc_allan]

Yeah I think it's normal also as above. I've noticed it in all the cars I've driven.

 

[Funkyfin2000]

excellent, never noticed it as bad than this car!

Thanks guys for the info, i suppose i could always measure the battery voltage to double check its ok but im sure its all fine!

Thanks guys!

PS - i did wander if this was why my HIDS i bought flickered and didn't work properly, but i think they were just faulty!

 

[Robb1990]

yeah pretty normal, when i start mine the lights are usually dimmer, then give the throttle a blip and the charging system gets it voltage up to the 14V most things need.

If it gets worse, id suggest checking out your battery earth for corrosion.

 

[Funkyfin2000]

wheres the battery earth Robb?

 

[dholdi]

^^^^ Opposite end of the battery to the positive
Seriously it would be worth checking both ends of the earth / negative lead ie where it clamps to the battery and also where it is bolted to the chassis. Clean both ends up and in the old days we used to use vaseline to prevent further corrosion. I'm sure someone will suggest a more modern alternative.

 

[Robb1990]

I still use Vaseline lol instead of replacing, id just bang a meter of 4AWG wire in there to a suitable bolt with all the paint cleaned off where it touches. once you've done that, you can slop a bit of hammerite over it to prevent corrosion then give it a lick of Vaseline.