Register Log In

Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Lights fading....

Print Thread

Lights fading.... #820518 12/15/03 03:31 PM
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you... M Mod-deth OP Hard-core CEG'er
OP Mod-deth Hard-core CEG'er M Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you...	O-k..need some help here. I'm driving home last night, and I notice my headlights all bright...then fading a little...then back to full bright...then fading...all the way home for 60 miles. I drove in today, and noticed that the interior lights are fading in que with the headlights as well. The fading last all of 2-3 seconds...then back to normal for say 10 seconds...then fade..then on. Battery is 1 year old (Motorcraft from Ford dealer). Alternator is stock (117,000 miles). No starting issues. Brights in my low-beam mod. Brighter fogs in my fogs mod. Can anyone point me in a general direction?

Re: Lights fading.... #820519 12/15/03 03:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 245 Atascadero, CA USA A Art Hazebrook_dup1 CEG\'er
Art Hazebrook_dup1 CEG\'er A Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 245 Atascadero, CA USA	Are you running a high output sound system? If not, sounds like your alternator is going south. I was changing the SVT's oil this weekend and looked at the alternator...pretty dirty!!! It's not in a good spot as far as avoiding stuff getting kicked/sprayed up during the wet season. Art 2004 Velocity Red RX-8 Racing Beat Intake and Exhaust Grand Touring Package Red/Black Leather Fender Strakes Rotary Accents Xenon HID's *Bose

Re: Lights fading.... #820520 12/15/03 04:09 PM
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you... M Mod-deth OP Hard-core CEG'er
OP Mod-deth Hard-core CEG'er M Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you...	Originally posted by Art Hazebrook: Are you running a high output sound system? If not, sounds like your alternator is going south. I was changing the SVT's oil this weekend and looked at the alternator...pretty dirty!!! It's not in a good spot as far as avoiding stuff getting kicked/sprayed up during the wet season. Art Nope...Alpine CD player and 4 JBL 6x8s. No subs or amps. But the fading is intermitent...which confuses me...

Re: Lights fading.... #820521 12/15/03 05:09 PM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 21 J justinhughes New CEG\'er
justinhughes New CEG\'er J Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 21	it's the alternator...give it a couple of weeks or less and it'll be shot. better start pricing them now!

Re: Lights fading.... #820522 12/15/03 06:12 PM
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you... M Mod-deth OP Hard-core CEG'er
OP Mod-deth Hard-core CEG'er M Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you...	Originally posted by justinhughes: it's the alternator...give it a couple of weeks or less and it'll be shot. better start pricing them now! O-k..let's just say its the alternator. Can AZ check this and give me a read on the output? Is the alternator too hidden? Or can they do it off a battery cable?

Re: Lights fading.... #820523 12/15/03 06:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 2,166 Boston, MA Z zgendron_dup1 Hard-core CEG\'er
zgendron_dup1 Hard-core CEG\'er Z Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 2,166 Boston, MA	You can check the output of your alternator with a multimeter. Just put the multimeter across your terminal cables while the car is running. You should have a reading around 14.4V Do this with minimal load since you're only at idle. (I.E. radio off, headlights off, HVAC off) Does your battery light come on at all? Is the fading constant regardless of engine speed? Does it occur at idle, or when the engine is under load? Last edited by zgendron; 12/15/03 06:32 PM. - Zack WANTED: T-Red HEATED Side Mirrors FOR SALE: 4 14" Alum Alloys and Nearly New Avid H4s Tires w/ Center Caps 2000 T-Red SVT 1995 LX V6 MTX (RIP)

Re: Lights fading.... #820524 12/15/03 08:19 PM
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you... M Mod-deth OP Hard-core CEG'er
OP Mod-deth Hard-core CEG'er M Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,616 Not too close to you...	O-k..will do. Any other ideas? Fuses? Wiring? Relays?

Re: Lights fading.... #820525 12/16/03 12:50 AM
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 3,944 Corinth, MS U unisys12 Hard-core CEG'er
unisys12 Hard-core CEG'er U Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 3,944 Corinth, MS	Originally posted by mcgainer: O-k..will do. Any other ideas? Fuses? Wiring? Relays? I would have to agree with the above statments about it being the alt. Another thing you might try... Go out for a drive and get the RPMs anywhere above 4000. You just might see your battery light come on. Good luck and changing that bad boy out too!! On that note, I would suggest a nice long extenstion and a nice pair of Mechanix Wear Mpact gloves. Phillip Jackson `98 Mystique LS 262K+ and counting... ATX rebuilt @ 151K "This storm has broken me, my only friend!" RIP Dime

Moderated by horseydug_dup1, Ray_dup1

Link Copied to Clipboard

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5