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Thread: Dimming Headlites

  1. #1
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    Dimming Headlites

    Probably been discussed but we all know about 'search'.

    Coming home tonite from my local cruise nite I was driving with the hi-beams on (such that they are) and I goosed the gas to clear the cob-webs out of the car and I noted as the car down shifted the headlights dimmed noticeably. Tried it a couple of times with the same result, same for low-beams too. It takes a few seconds for the lites to charge back up to full brightness. Is this normal? Never noticed it on the 04 MM. If it's not normal where should I start looking.

    Thanks in advance

  2. #2
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    alternator?!?
    how long have you had the battery?!?!

    were you going WOT?? I think I've read that the alternator shuts off at WOT

  3. #3
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    Yes having the lights dim at WOT and the voltage on the gauge drop is normal and shows that your charging system is operating as intended. The alternator's output voltage is controlled by the PCM and when the PCM senses WOT it shuts of the alternator to provide maximum HP to the wheels.

  4. #4
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    Battery is new early last year although it did go dead over the Winter. It's 1000/850 cca battery.

    I was not going WOT. Just enough gas to drop it a gear from say 45mph.

    Car only has 22K so I would think the alternator is good unless they poop out over time regardless of use. IDK

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Man View Post
    Battery is new early last year although it did go dead over the Winter. It's 1000/850 cca battery.

    I was not going WOT. Just enough gas to drop it a gear from say 45mph.

    Car only has 22K so I would think the alternator is good unless they poop out over time regardless of use. IDK
    go to a shop and have them check your charging system. It'll let you know if you have a dying alternator or a weak battery

  6. #6
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    AAA if your a member will come to your house and check it for free!

    Most auto parts stores will also check it for you.

    Good luck with it.

    PS: I never noticed my lights dimming on my '03. FWIT
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  7. #7
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    That happened to me before swapping to HID's. The charging system was working fine but the battery was weaker than it should be. I put a charge on the battery overnight and did not have a problem anymore.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by CWright View Post
    That happened to me before swapping to HID's. The charging system was working fine but the battery was weaker than it should be. I put a charge on the battery overnight and did not have a problem anymore.
    With only 22k, I'm guessing the car isn't driven often. Maybe battery is just not at full charge. Maybe a trickle charger is needed.
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  9. #9
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    Going to NH in the car next week so hoping the charge in the battery will get full.

    How long does it take an alternator to recharge a battery from say I had to jump start the car this morning?(stock alt)

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Man View Post
    Going to NH in the car next week so hoping the charge in the battery will get full.

    How long does it take an alternator to recharge a battery from say I had to jump start the car this morning?(stock alt)
    Depends on how fast you go, what accessories you used, etc.
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  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by fastblackmerc View Post
    Depends on how fast you go, what accessories you used, etc.
    Would a 350 mile trip do the trick?

  12. #12
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    Yes a 350 mile trip should top up the battery. The amount of current a battery can accept varies depending on how charged it is. The closer it is to being fully charged the slower it charges. So it could take the same time to raise if from a 90% state of charge to full as it did for it to reach that 90% state of charge from 50%.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Man View Post
    Would a 350 mile trip do the trick?
    I'll bring my cables, just in case.
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  14. #14
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    ...and I'll bring my jump-box.
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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Man View Post
    Would a 350 mile trip do the trick?
    Yes it would do the trick...
    “When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.”
    Ronald Regan

    "The only way to deal with the Islamic State - these blood thirsty, blood-drunken, terrorists -
    is to kill them, keep on killing them, until you kill the last one, then you kill his pet goat."

    Lt. Colonel Ralph Peters

    “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.”
    "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes, if you **** with me, I'll kill you all"
    General James Mattis




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