Car Headlights Dim

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / Car Headlights Dim (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

< Prev Topic Next Topic >

raisedfist

Member - Posts: 9

Joined: November 01, 2005

Location: Australia

Posted: November 27, 2005 at 10:43 PM / IP Logged

Hey guys,

I just got my system working sick in my 1994 Mitsubishi Galant. The problem i have is that when im driving at night and i crank it, my headlights and my interior dash basically dim and flash with the bass of high area's of power going through the amp.

Now it looks really cool and gets plenty of looks from people down th e street, but im guessing it isnt good at all.

I know it could be the alternator or the battery.

i have had my batterey go flat on my randomly sometimes and i cant find a consistantcy for a reason why.

I have a Pioneer 600watt 4 chan amp with 2 6x9's and a 500watt sub. The ground is good and proper on the body in the boot and power is 8 gauge running directly down the side of the car around 10 - 12 foot straight off the battery.

What i want to know is what is the common reason for this happening and what is the easiest way fo finding out.

Cheers blokes! (and gals if there are any)

arrow12

Silver - Posts: 527

Joined: October 06, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: November 27, 2005 at 11:04 PM / IP Logged

Well you should first make sure your alternator is working right. I don't know how many amps a Galant alternator puts out, but you might need an HO alternator.

You also need to check and see how well your battery is. It could be getting old an run down.

First you should upgrade the Big 3 though. Do a search in this forum to figure out how to do it. If that doesn't help, then try the two things I mentioned (alternator first).

The reason your lights are dimming is because your alternator can't produce enough power for your amp and regular electronics that come stock in your car. As a result the amp needs to draw more power from the electrical system. This takes power away from the stock electronics which results in dimming. That's all i can think of now. Everyone cover me if I left out anything.

That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.

raisedfist

Member - Posts: 9

Joined: November 01, 2005

Location: Australia

Posted: November 27, 2005 at 11:43 PM / IP Logged

sorry to sound like total n00b, but what is the "Big 3"?

Sorry

boardinbum

Silver - Posts: 358

Joined: February 07, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: November 28, 2005 at 12:12 AM / IP Logged

The "Big 3" is just upgrading a few wires to get a little more power so hopefully your headlights won't dim. It includes upgrading:

1) Power wire from alt to battery

2) Ground from alt to chassis

3) Battery to chassis

Do a search on these forums for it, and you should get all the instructions and explanations you need.

I would try that first. Then, if that doesn't solve your problem, I would suggest upgrading to a HO alt.

Alpine Guy

Platinum - Posts: 2,478

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

Joined: October 18, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: November 28, 2005 at 9:01 AM / IP Logged

Dosn't sound like you have that much of a draw on your electrical system, it could be your alternator wearing out or your battery wearing out. I would reccomend a high output alternator but you dont seem to have a high power system there really to justify the expense.

Get your battery tested and your alternator also.

2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,059

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: November 28, 2005 at 10:06 AM / IP Logged

Yeah... Sounds to me like you have an EXISTING problem, electrically speaking. MAXED OUT, that amp shouldn't ever pull more than 60-75A, and chances you are doing that are pretty slim - you have not mentioned any blown speakers. My guess is you have an alternator working on going out.

Important to remember - do the big three FIRST. Dont be cheap about it either. Spend good money, and upgrade all of your high current wires under the hood to at least 4 gauge. Monster makes some good battery terminals, do those as well. Also mentioned, you battery MAY be crapping out on you. Since it is time to replace it anyway, spend good money on that as well. Optima red top, (yellow tops are a waste of money - extra labeling for something the red top already does! Here is a link to the explaination for my choice...) or many people here swear by Kinetik batteries. Those will probably cost you around 100 to 150 each.

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Car Headlights Dim

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.This topic is closed.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.