Head light dim?

Re: Head light dim? (GTI Av8tor)

I have it when I touch the window buttons... kinda like the car doesn't have enough electricity to power the car's whole systems.

Re: Head light dim? (2001Bora)

Sounds like an altenator problem, I dunno though. I am not a VW tech or a mechanic so I wouldnt know exactly. I do not have this problem though

Dave

Re: Head light dim? (SantaCruz SL)

I noticed that today too... when I stop the light goes dimmer... especially when I do a sudden stop... loose wire or soemthing??

Re: Head light dim? (GTI Av8tor)

Same thing with my car, as well as my gf's 99.5 Jetta...noticed this in the reflection on a truck's chrome bumper in front of me

Re: Head light dim? (GTI Av8tor)

Some alternators don't put out enough power at idle. My old car was like that too. Turn on the rear defogger and you should see the lights dim even more...

Re: Head light dim? (GTI Av8tor)

well, i had that too.. but that was before i changed my battery,
when i changed it with a 2-watt-more new battery ( i think 62W instead of 60) i noticed that it's much better in lighting, and igniting.

Re: Head light dim? (duandcc)

And if you really jam on the brakes activating the ABS, your lights will REALLY dim. That ABS pump is a power hog.
The alternator output is related to how fast it's spinning. At idle, when it's spinning the slowest, it's output is the lowest. Therefore don't be surprised if the lights dim a little while you have a relatively high electrical demand on the system.

Re: Head light dim? (Bartnik)

This has annoyed me since day one. I hate the dim, I noticed my dash lights going along with it the other night. Sometimes if my stereo is up, at a quiet part in a song, I hear a thud come through the sub. That's partly due to my crappy HU, but it still shouldn't be there. Is there anyway to upgrade anything to prevent this? If I operate my windows at night it's even worse, the lights get pretty dim.

Re: Head light dim? (agt5)

same thing happens to my car. i have my fogs, and lights running and randomly whther it be stopping, accelerating or whatever it just gets dim. but i don't notice it getting brigher though. it must be getting lighter at some point cause it will just get dim again and it just can't keep getting dimmer.... why, that's just dangerous...

Re: Head light dim? (agt5)

If the thud isn't coming from the headunit, it's most likely either a grounding problem with the amplifier, or cheap/damaged cable. These problems can be pretty tricky to troubleshoot.
If your amplifier is causing the power drain (lights dim when bass notes hit), you can get a capacitor to store electricity for when power is most needed (when bass notes hit).
Otherwise, you can upgrade your battery, like mazenmax, or upgrade your alternator.

Re: Head light dim? (GTI Av8tor)

My headlights dim also when I put the windows up/down. I thought it was problem at first but now I dont even notice it.