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Lights go dim

L

leemond80

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Location
London
Car
2.2 ICTDI Sport
Hi guys,

I have have noticed a strange problem with my car headlights. I noticed that when driving they went dim but when I revved the engine they went bright again however when I revved the engine again they went back to dim! The problem can be repeated easily so it's not an intermittent thing. Also the car is taking a long crank to get it started sometimes.

Do you think the problem is the battery or the alternator?

I put it out there to see if anyone has heard of something like this before.

Thanks

Lee
 
Sounds like a battery to me. With the car being at least 5 years old, it would be worth replacing to start with.
 
You don't suspect the alternator? I will be much happier if the battery is the cause though :)
 
lee said:
You don't suspect the alternator? I will be much happier if the battery is the cause though :)
Click to expand...

If it was an early petrol I would, as there was an aternator load issue causing the lights to dim. Why don't you take advantage of kwikfit/ATS free battery check offers. If the battery is knackered they'll tell you, then nip down to your local Honda dealer to get one ;)
 
New battery mate. For peace of mind you can get an alter-meter on your alternator to check it's not that on the way out too. But as the car is still fairly young i wouldn't have thought it would be.
 
I had this problem on my Fabia many moons ago - alternator had an intermittent fault. It was the only thing ever went wrong in the car!

M
 
most likely the battery, is it the original and take a reading to see.

Other thing it could possibly be is the alternator as they have a clutch which engages under load if that fails to engage it won't charge.

Check if HH are still doing the deal on battery with free delivery, £38 iirc.
 
I would also say battery, and if the battery is still the original then its worth changing anyway as it wont have much of a life left anyway.
 
Right then, new battery it is!

I'll chuck one in when I get back home on Tuesday and will let you all know if it's sorted.

As always thanks guys I appreciate it.
 
Lee if you say when your revving the engine the lights get brighter i would say its your alternator as this draws its power from the drive belt.
For example the higher the revs the faster the belt creating more power from the alternator.So on tick over there is not sufficient power being produced to give full power to the battery.
Now it wont hurt to change the battery as is probably the original and might be the only cause.The only way for sure is to have a health test done on the battery to determine the dimming lights.


Ps Sorry Lee just reread your post and you say the lights went dim again when you reved the car.In this case i would say the battery but get it health checked 1st to eliminate the alternator.
 
I agree Brett, I have just ordered a Bosch S5 Silver and should get it next week some time. Out of interest, is that a good choice for the Accord?

I will let you all know if this corrects the problem :)
 
Ok i got the battery today but before i fit it, is there anything I need to do on this car in preparation? I mean will i lose functionality of the radio or anything after the reset?

also it it the negative terminal that i remove first?

Cheers!
 
Apart from losing radio presets, it doesn't need a code.
You correct remove negative then positive, when installing reverse positive then negative.
 
Just put it in and all seems fine now. It cranks much quicker but I will check this tomorrow morning to know for sure.

Thanks all :)
 
lee said:
Just put it in and all seems fine now. It cranks much quicker but I will check this tomorrow morning to know for sure.

Thanks all :)
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Nice one Lee thanks for the feedback and keep us posted how the new battery works.

PS sorry i missed your post about choice of battery but i will say it a good battery indeed.What is the warranty on the battery 3 or 5 years.
 
All seems fine now, it started very quickly and I cant see any problems so happy days!

cheers guys!

just gotta sort out the knocking at the front and the intermittent window motor and i think i'm done :)
 
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