Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Headlight brightness depends on electrical load??

[Did my Forums search already...]

Do any of you have a problem where, when you car is idling with headlights on, you:
a) turn on the rear window defroster and the lights dim,
b) turn on the a/c or defroster and the lights dim further?
c) rev the engine slightly, the lights brighten until the revs return to idle, at which point they dim again.

Is this a sign of a weak battery or alternator not working 100%?

If not, come on Ford, a modern car shouldn't dim its headlights noticeably when the rear defroster is turned on!

I also notice the instrument panel lights dim and brighten depending on electrical load and throttle position. On nights when I have both defrosters on it's annoying to see the dash lights so dim until I rev the engine!

Anyone? Thanks in advance.

Kerry

The car runs off the alt. I would check that out first.

if the alternator is not putting out at least 14 volts at idle and the car idles at the correct speed, then i would say the alternator is bad

thats affirmative

I get the same results on my 99, and my E0 was the same. I think it is normal to a certain degree.

I have the highs in the low socket and the headlamps even dim when I hit my turn signals or have the rear defroster on. And especially when the stereo is thumping (it's only a Pioneer HU w/Pioneer 6x8s).

Problem!!!!!!!!! MY dad decided he wanted to clean my headlamps. Fine and dandy with me. The bad thing is we don't know how to take off the headlamps. Any suggestions????

contour1995 do you mean polish the funky yellowness out of them? this will often require some kind of buffing or polishing compound, i opted for new headlights back in the day when i had my 96 gl. I didn't change the lights myself, but it shouldn't be too hard if you have a haynes manual which i'd recomend. try searching for cleaning yellowed headlights or something like that, it's been discussed before.

You might just do better getting a new one for $65 from BAT (www.batinc.net). That's a steal considering they probably cost double that from Ford.