Headlights dim - any ideas?
- Thalass
- Junior Member
- Posts: 473
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:21 am
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Headlights dim - any ideas?
I've noticed lately that when I put the brakes on, or something similar that loads up the electrical system, the headlights dim a bit. I've only noticed it when stopped at traffic lights, but I imagine it happens at other times, too.
Is this normal? Or a sign of a weak battery? Or weak alternator? The battery is only a year old and I've been checking the water levels on it fairly regularly. I know for certain that when the brake pump is working the lights dim, but I think it's also with other things like the aircon coming on and the power steering.
Oh, something unrelated but still annoying. Whenever it rains (ie: not for months untill last week) I get water in my tailgate-mounted lights. It's not a huge amount, it usually forms as condensation on the inside of the lense, but when I open the gate up I get a dribble of water out and when I take the lamps out there is a noticeable dribble, too. I wasn't too worried as it's summer, but after the recent rains here in WA I noticed that the lamps are starting to corrode, and I can't have that.
Where would the water be coming in? The lenses all look well sealed, and I can't spot any holes in the tailgate. I haven't taken the lining out, yet, but I guess I'll have to sooner or later.
Might be an excuse to try some LED replacement lamps, though.
Is this normal? Or a sign of a weak battery? Or weak alternator? The battery is only a year old and I've been checking the water levels on it fairly regularly. I know for certain that when the brake pump is working the lights dim, but I think it's also with other things like the aircon coming on and the power steering.
Oh, something unrelated but still annoying. Whenever it rains (ie: not for months untill last week) I get water in my tailgate-mounted lights. It's not a huge amount, it usually forms as condensation on the inside of the lense, but when I open the gate up I get a dribble of water out and when I take the lamps out there is a noticeable dribble, too. I wasn't too worried as it's summer, but after the recent rains here in WA I noticed that the lamps are starting to corrode, and I can't have that.
Where would the water be coming in? The lenses all look well sealed, and I can't spot any holes in the tailgate. I haven't taken the lining out, yet, but I guess I'll have to sooner or later.
Might be an excuse to try some LED replacement lamps, though.
Living in Canada now. Looking at all these SVXs for sale...
I'VE GOT AN OUTBACK AGAIN WOOT
I'VE GOT AN OUTBACK AGAIN WOOT
Sounds like a bad ground or neg cable. Check main ground terminals and connections for tightness and corrosion. See if this improves things.
'03 Forester X, stock standard for now.
'89 EA82T Touring Wagon, 5-speed D/R, 14" alloy wheels, bullbar. (Past ride)
'81 MY wagon, 3" lift, 5-speed D/R, Weber, 14x27" tyres. (Past ride)
'89 EA82T Touring Wagon, 5-speed D/R, 14" alloy wheels, bullbar. (Past ride)
'81 MY wagon, 3" lift, 5-speed D/R, Weber, 14x27" tyres. (Past ride)
- AlpineRaven
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3682
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Give a WD40 on the battery connections between starter motor, battery and ground...
Alternator should be charging around 14 volts while idling and if you're still unsure - go to a car battery place and get them to check it out with headlights on and off - should be no charge.
Cheers
AP
Alternator should be charging around 14 volts while idling and if you're still unsure - go to a car battery place and get them to check it out with headlights on and off - should be no charge.
Cheers
AP
Subarus that I have/had:
1995 Liberty "Rallye" - 5MT AWD, LSD - *written off 25/8/06 in towing accident.
1996 Liberty Wagon - SkiFX AWD 5MT D/R, Lifted.. Outback Sway Bar, 1.59:1 Low Gearing see thread: 1.59:1 in EJ Box Page
Sold at 385,000kms in July 2011.
2007 Liberty BP Wagon, 2.5i automatic
1995 Liberty "Rallye" - 5MT AWD, LSD - *written off 25/8/06 in towing accident.
1996 Liberty Wagon - SkiFX AWD 5MT D/R, Lifted.. Outback Sway Bar, 1.59:1 Low Gearing see thread: 1.59:1 in EJ Box Page
Sold at 385,000kms in July 2011.
2007 Liberty BP Wagon, 2.5i automatic
It's likely due to the poor headlight wiring, I noticed this too with mine, before I did this - showthread.php?t=8720
You need a multi meter or voltage metre to check the battery voltage and then the supply at the lights, with the car running and the lights on, you need minimum 12v but it is possible to obtain the battery voltage level as 13v will give you a much better light
My battery holds 13.2v and gets 14v from the alternator when running, check this first.
Most cars get voltage drop issues with age usually poor connections than wires such as the off/on and dimmer switches, Relay's will defenately solve the issue but if your model is already fitted with relay's, cleaning connections may solve the problem without unesesary work.
My battery holds 13.2v and gets 14v from the alternator when running, check this first.
Most cars get voltage drop issues with age usually poor connections than wires such as the off/on and dimmer switches, Relay's will defenately solve the issue but if your model is already fitted with relay's, cleaning connections may solve the problem without unesesary work.
Austcold
- Thalass
- Junior Member
- Posts: 473
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:21 am
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Augh. I guess I'll have to wait 'till next days off to have a good look, then. I'm elbows-deep in wiring enough at work as it is!
I'll have to swipe some stuff from work, too. Contact cleaner at least.
*edit*
I'm fairly certain that my model (1999) is wired up properly with relays and suchlike - to be honest I thought that was standard, but I'll have another look in the books at some point. Thanks!
I'll have to swipe some stuff from work, too. Contact cleaner at least.
*edit*
I'm fairly certain that my model (1999) is wired up properly with relays and suchlike - to be honest I thought that was standard, but I'll have another look in the books at some point. Thanks!
Living in Canada now. Looking at all these SVXs for sale...
I'VE GOT AN OUTBACK AGAIN WOOT
I'VE GOT AN OUTBACK AGAIN WOOT
- BaronVonChickenPants
- General Member
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- Location: Nowra, NSW
- Thalass
- Junior Member
- Posts: 473
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:21 am
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
That's a good point... Though it did it thismorning and I don't think there was much more than a few drops of condensation on the lens at that time. But it doesn't take much. The brake/tail light (why there's only one in the tailgate when there's room for at least two (if not four) I don't know) is corroded in solid, so that might be leaking to earth a bit. Lucky the lighting on the outback is on the accessory bus, not the hot bus! I'd have killed the battery months ago.
Living in Canada now. Looking at all these SVXs for sale...
I'VE GOT AN OUTBACK AGAIN WOOT
I'VE GOT AN OUTBACK AGAIN WOOT
- stamp_licker
- General Member
- Posts: 1066
- Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Kallangur.Bris North
Yes there's room for more lights look here http://offroadsubarus.com/index.php?opt ... ack+lights
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]aka the_postie
Building a hardcore postie:D
Building a hardcore postie:D
Not sure if there is any logic to the following, just noted your comment on checking the battery levels. over 20 years ago I stupidly topped up a battery to the brim, no air space at all and had a similar but much worse power loss. At night it was like driving by candle light and the wipers moved at snail pace, really wierd.
PS. I also get water in my outback lights, it is a real pain as it dripps out when the tail gate is up and lands inside the car!
PS. I also get water in my outback lights, it is a real pain as it dripps out when the tail gate is up and lands inside the car!